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Chapter Thirteen The Events of the Lunar Year
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Dasa Hara [38]

This calendrical event of minor importance for Bhaktapur is common to all Hindus. It is on the tenth day, dasa (Sanskrit dasa ), of the month. In its traditional Indian version it was a day for removing "sins," through bathing in the Ganges, and later in other large rivers (Kane 1968-1977, vol. V, p. 90f.). In Bhaktapur the custom persists with, it would seem, an emphasis rather on protection from external misfortunes. People in Bhaktapur go to bathe in the river at the Kware ghat[*] , considering their ritual bath as worship to the river Ganges, and present certain vegetables—cucumber, red pepper, and an edible root, phakha(n) , to the river. This bathing and presentation is supposed to remove "bad luck" from the bathers. On this day there may be small family dinners in special commemoration of the day. Otherwise there are no special activities. (Minor.)


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Chapter Thirteen The Events of the Lunar Year
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