The Minor Dasai(n) of Rama [31, 32]

In our consideration of the Krsna^[*] ceremonies of Holi we had examples of ceremonial days in Bhaktapur's calendar which are of interest be-

cause they are unimportant in comparison with the way they are treated in other South Asian or Nepalese communities. While such comparative emphases may be due to factors that are tangential to the concerns of our study, certain examples of relative neglect or emphasis may be related to Bhaktapur's particular kind of symbolic organization. This seems to be the case in celebrations of Visnu's^[*] avatar s, whose cult elsewhere in South Asia is a response to special needs and conditions that have not characterized traditional Bhaktapur. This is true not only of Krsna^[*] but also of Rama, whose cult is important elsewhere throughout South Asia. Two calendrical events in the fortnight of Caulaga associated with Rama are of considerable importance elsewhere but of relatively minor importance in Bhaktapur's calendar of festivals.

The eighth day of the fortnight is called "Cait Dasai(n)" [31]. The name refers to a nine-day period observed elsewhere in South Asia, beginning on the first day of the fortnight and ending the following day, Rama Navami, a period during which portions of the Ramayana epic are read. The worship of this spring festival lasts m Bhaktapur for only one day. In Bhaktapur's Devi-centered interpretation, the importance of this day is said to be that on it Rama worshiped the Goddess for help in his battle against Ravana^[*] . This gives it a thematic connection with Bhaktapur's major Dasai(n), Mohani [67-77], the autumn harvest festival. In accord with its reference to the Dangerous Goddess, many households sacrifice animals and have feasts, and there are sacrifices to the Aga(n) deities, to Taleju, and to other Tantric deities at temples. In contrast to the autumnal Mohani, animal sacrifice is optional. Although the Dangerous Goddess is a focus of worship, this festival is not integrated into the Devi cycle. (Moderate.)

The following day, the ninth day of the fortnight, is Rama Navami [32]. This, the birthday of Rama, was traditionally a very minor day in Bhaktapur, only commemorated by the temple priests of the Rama temples in their own worship at the temples. In recent years some followers of a new bhakti cult of Rama go in groups to pray at his temples on this day. (Minor.)