Bina is a stringed musical instrument resembling a Sitar or a long form of the violin. This traditional musical instrument is the favourite instrument of goddess Saraswati. Saraswati is the goddess of learning or wisdom. At the same time she is also the Goddess of arts and music. Therefore, she holds the book in one hand and the musical instrument or the Bina in the other.
BIKRAM SAMBAT
The official era of Nepal is Bikram Sambat or Bickram Era. This Era is believed to have started after the name of King Bikramanditya of Ujjain which was a renowned kingdom of North India two thousand years ago. He started this era after his victory over Sak kings in 57 A.D.
BHUTIA
Bhutias very much resemble the Tibetan communities, yet different in many ways. They are very mobile and therefore spread over many parts of the kingdom of Nepal, from Mahakali in the far west to Kanchanjunga Range in the extreme east. They are still living in the mountains of Bajura and Darchula districts in the far west, Humla, Dolpa, Surkhet and Mugu in the mid-west, in Mustang, Manag, Kaski and Tanahu in the western region as well as in the Himalayan heights of the middle regions and the east. As they are also found in towns and large cities in the mid-region, a sizeable number of Bhutias recorded as living in the urban areas these days. In general, the Bhutias do not belong to any of the particular or distinct stock of indigenous people of the Nepal Himalaya. They are known for their mobility, trade, and animal husbandry.
BHUJEL
Bhujel is the term used for the original residents of Bhuji area in Baglung district of western Nepal which is, therefore, considered as ancestral place of the Bhujels. Ethnically close to Magars, they are scattered all over the Kingdom of Nepal. The religion and culture of this clan is close to extinction, but they are gradually influenced by other bigger ethnic groups. In religious matters they have affinities with the Magars while in language they are closer to the Chepangs. They are also known as Gharti in some places.
BHRIKUTI
Daughter of Amsu Verma, a sixth century ruler of Nepal, Bhrikuti was as exquisitely beautiful as she was a talented woman. Tsrong Tsang Gampo, the powerful king of Tibet was very keen to marry her and though his proposal created some complication and strain between the two kings, the marriage took place with the consent of Bhrikuti herself. Wise and learned as she was, Bhrikuti spread Buddhism in Tibet. Tsrong Tsong Gampo’s other Chinese wife, Wen Chen, was also very talented and, thus, through her Buddhism got enrooted all over China. Both women are great honoured and are accordingly worshipped even today in Tibet. They are presumed as the incarnations of Tara, Bhrikuti being Green Tara and Wen Cheng as White Tara.
BHOTO JATRA
The festival of the vest! On this occasion, a jewel-studded vest is shown to all at Jawalakhel ground in Patan from the chariot of God Matsyendranath. This occasion generally falls in the month of May.
The legend behind this show is rather interesting.
A king of serpents, Karcotak Nag lived in Taudaha, a lake few miles away southwest from Kathmandu. Karcotak Nag’s wife was suffering from an eye-sore that was not being cured by means available to him. Finally, the serpent chief took human form and met a noted eye doctor from Bhakhtapur. Following Karcotak Nag’s persistent requests, the doctor accompanied him to his kingdom of snakes. Karcotak Nag’s wife was cured by the doctor in four days. So pleased was Karcotak Nag that he gave the physician his own vest studded with precious jewels as a reward.
One day, a goblin saw him with the vest and was tempted to acquire it by any means. So he offered to procure it from that old physician. On refusal to part with the vest, the goblin somehow managed to steal it. From then on, the farmer physician was desperately looking out for the goblin. It is believed that one day when the car of Matsyendranath reached Jawalakhel, Gods and human beings were there to mark obeisance to Matsyendra Nath and that some people found the stolen vest held by some invisible hands in the gathering. So a Tantric (expert in Tantrism) of Lalitpur, suspecting the presence of goblins, laid his magic tantric Cordon to prevent the escape of the goblins. They were thus caught and made visible which enabled the physician to see his stolen vest with the goblin. They indulged in fighting which was settled only after the advent of Karkotak Nag himself who gave a decisive blow to the goblin making him confess to his crime.
However, the goblin and the physician, both thinking themselves not worthy of possessing such a precious gift decided, in consultation with the serpent chief, to present the vest to Matsyendranath. Since then it is shown to the public as an invaluable gift from the region of the serpents. Huge crowds of people from various parts flock every year to Jawalakhel to witness the Bhoto and make obeisance to Matsyendra Nath.
The legend behind this show is rather interesting.
A king of serpents, Karcotak Nag lived in Taudaha, a lake few miles away southwest from Kathmandu. Karcotak Nag’s wife was suffering from an eye-sore that was not being cured by means available to him. Finally, the serpent chief took human form and met a noted eye doctor from Bhakhtapur. Following Karcotak Nag’s persistent requests, the doctor accompanied him to his kingdom of snakes. Karcotak Nag’s wife was cured by the doctor in four days. So pleased was Karcotak Nag that he gave the physician his own vest studded with precious jewels as a reward.
One day, a goblin saw him with the vest and was tempted to acquire it by any means. So he offered to procure it from that old physician. On refusal to part with the vest, the goblin somehow managed to steal it. From then on, the farmer physician was desperately looking out for the goblin. It is believed that one day when the car of Matsyendranath reached Jawalakhel, Gods and human beings were there to mark obeisance to Matsyendra Nath and that some people found the stolen vest held by some invisible hands in the gathering. So a Tantric (expert in Tantrism) of Lalitpur, suspecting the presence of goblins, laid his magic tantric Cordon to prevent the escape of the goblins. They were thus caught and made visible which enabled the physician to see his stolen vest with the goblin. They indulged in fighting which was settled only after the advent of Karkotak Nag himself who gave a decisive blow to the goblin making him confess to his crime.
However, the goblin and the physician, both thinking themselves not worthy of possessing such a precious gift decided, in consultation with the serpent chief, to present the vest to Matsyendranath. Since then it is shown to the public as an invaluable gift from the region of the serpents. Huge crowds of people from various parts flock every year to Jawalakhel to witness the Bhoto and make obeisance to Matsyendra Nath.
BHOTIA
Bhotia is the common term used for several groups of Nepalese peoples who ethnically belong to Tibeto-Mongolian origin. This term mainly denotes Sherpa and Thakali besides other tribes and communities of northern Nepal.
BHOJPURI
Bhojpuri is a language spoken by nearly 1.4 million people of Nepal comprising seven per cent of the total population. This language is also spoken in many parts of India. Bhojpuri speaking of people of Nepal live mainly in the districts of Rautahat, Bara, and Parsa of Narayani Zone, Nawalparasi District of Lumbini zone, Sarlahi District of Janakpur zone Morang District of Kosi Zone and Jhapa District of Mechi zone. This Indo Aryan group of language is also known as Bhojpuri Tharu language.
BHOJPUR
Bhojpur is a district in the hills of the Sagarmatha zone of eastern Nepal. This district is famous for various indigenous cottage industries. Over and above the various artefacts produced in this district, the Khukuri or the Gorkha knife is famous. This district lies in the high mountains of the Kosi Zone. The population of this district is approximately 203,018 which is composed of most of the mountain dwelling ethnic groups of Nepal like Bahun, Chhetri, Newar, Thakuri, and so on, but Rais and Limbus are the major ethnic groups who live in this district.
BHIMSEN
Bhimsen is known as a God of great physical strength. One of he five brothers who are popularly known as Pandavas in the epic Mahabharat, Bhimsen is also worshipped as the God of tradesmen who is believed to assure them of more profit and income. As one of the great heroes of the Mahabharata he is known specially known for his strength and bravery. The Mahabharata tells us how he had always pushed himself in front to fight the wicked and protect the poor. It is said that one of his arms alone had the strength of hundred elephants. One of his very fascinating portraits in which he is shown lifting a sprited horse like a toy in the air with one hand and a lion with another is quite popular among the trading community of Nepal. One can see this portrait of Bhimsen decorated with great devotion and faith on the walls of almost every sizeable shops in Nepal.
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