MATSYA

Matsya means fish. The very first incarnation of Lord Vishnu is that of a fish. So Matsya is respected and worshipped as the first personification or incarnation of Vishnu. It is believed that Vishnu had taken that incarnation to save Manu from the great disaster caused by a terrible flood. Manu was the great Hindu philosopher and a learned Bramhin who propounded many religious rites, disciplines and social orders through his texts recorded as Manusmriti. 

MECHES

 Being residents of the Mechi River banks and the neighborhoods in the district of Jhapa, they are aptly called the Meches. They are closer to the Botes in civilization. According to historians, Meches were nomadic until a few decades ago. They became settlers when the land range and forest frontiers of their free roaming became demarcated and restricted. Ai Bali Khungri and Batho Barau are their principal deities. They also worship the deities of the forest. Their language derives from the Tibeto-Burman family. Meches are also called Bodos. They are at present engaged in farming.

MAYA DEVI

 One of two queens of King Suddhodana of the kingdom of Kapilvastu two and half millennium years ago, Maya Devi is better known as the Mother of Lord Gautam Buddha inspite of the fact athat she had had her own special identity as an ideal queen to her credit. During her pregnancy she had swallowed a white elephant in her dream, as a result of which she gave birth to Siddhartha Gautam who eventually became the Buddha, the enlightened one. However, she passed away after seven days of the birth of Lord Buddha. 

MATSYENDRANATH (WHITE) JATRA

 The Car festival of the Sweta or white Matsyendranath is observed in Kathmandu. The way this festival is observed is very much similar to that of Rato Matsendranath festival of Patan. The difference is mainly in size of the chariot and the duration of the festival.  White Matsyendranath has a smaller chariot and the duration of the festival is shorter as well. This festival or the festival of pulling the chariot of White Matsendranath  begins on the day of Chaitra Dasain (March) which normally lasts for four days. The Car is drawn everyday to reach a particular locality and after completion of the round,  Sweta Matsyendranath is taken back to be installed in its permanent abode, the temple of Matsyendra Bahal at  Kel Tole, Kathmandu. 

MATSYENDRANATH TEMPLE OF PATAN

 The pagoda styled temple of Matsyendranath temple of Patan is the abode of Avalokiteswar or Red Matsyendranath. A fine idol of Matsyendranath is placed here for six months every year. This temple was built in 1408 A.D. Numerous bronze images and art works of the past scattered around add to the attraction of the temple precincts. Matsyendranath is placed at Bungmati, a village few miles away from Patan, for another six months from where it is brought to Patan every year amidst great reception and celeberation. During April-May, Matsyendranath is installed in a huge car-chariot with four big wheels to be taken around the city of Paten to the great enjoyment of huge crowds of onlookers. It generally lasts for the whole month. 

Popularly known as the the God of rain & food grains, it is an extremely popular deity of Nepal. This deity has many names such as Karuanmaya, Bodhisattwa, Padmapani, Awalokiteswara, Lokeswara, Lok Nath, Bunga Dyo, etc.  One of the strong elements of his popularity is thatof the long tradition of worshipping him as the all-compassionate god of rain and food grain.

There are many legends and descriptions associated with Rato Matyendranath which could attract any researcher easily. One anecdote is depicted here just to show his popular image.  Once Adi Nath, the lord of the universe who was also the presiding deity of Kathmandu called a meeting of all the deities under him. As per his invitation every body except Rato Matsendranath turned up. This made Adinath furious and considered it as an insult to him. Adinath got the message from him that he was too busy growing food and taking care of his subjects. This angered him enough to stop the rain in Patan City of Rato Matsendra. Time for the rice plantation came but there was no rain. People apprehended famine.  But Rato Machhendra did not loose his patience and immediately started a campaign for rice plantation even without the rain. Before he set himself to this most challenging task he assumed the form of an elderly farmer so as to win support from all. He walked out on his staff to the farms  far and wide where the people were helplessly sitting idle and started advising one and all that they should plant the rice even if there was no rain and wait for the result. The farmers followed his advice and set themselves at work. To the surprise of all, the result of their work was just tremendous. Although the rice plants did not grow tall enough yet the rice grains on them were unusually big. On the other hand, in Kantipur where Adinath lived, the rice plants grew tall enough but did not have any rice grain in them. This event soon convinced Adinath that Rato Matsyendra really had a great spirit  to serve his subjects most sincerely. Since then Adinath treated him with great respect. 

MATSYENDRA NATH TEMPLE, KATHMANDU

 This temple is located at Matsyendranath Bahal in Kathmandu. Matsyendra Nath is mainly as the God of rain, but in the implied sense people take him as the God who gives food and, thus, the God of mercy. Every year in eh month of Poush (Jan). He is taken in a chariot in some main streets of Kathmandu projecting a great show to thousands of spectators. Local people of Kathmandu observe this festival occasion by taking feasts along with friends and relatives. 

MATSYA

 Literally meaning Fish, it is the first incarnation of Vishnu. Lord Vishnu is known to have taken the form of fish for his first appearance in this mortal world. Fish is therefore intimately associated with him. Survarna matsya meaning golden fish is also a term used for the two gold fishes recovered by gods to symbolize the sources of human sufferings as well. They are known to have been rescued from the ocean of miseries from worldly existence. In another connotation, fish one of the eight auspicious signs popularly known as Astamangalas. 

MATSYENDRANATH

 Matsyendranath, the god in the form of a fish is popularly believed as an aspect of Avalokiteswar or Lokeswar. This famous god is taken around the city of Patan in a huge chariot-car pulled by hundreds of men with one accord. 

A legend says that Lokeswar taught Shiva on Kamini mountains about how to meditate for enlightenment. Shiva told it to his consort Parvati who fell asleep, but Avalokiteswar was listening it in the form of a fish. As Shiva noticed somebody was listening to him, he threatened to curse if he did not reveal himself. Thus, Lokeswar revealed himself and, seeing him, Shiva apologised for his harsh words. Later, Gorakhnath, the disciple of Matsyendranth wanted to see him to this incarnation of a fish and planned to make him appear. He, therefore, caught hold of Nags, the serpent deities and imprisoned them which caused drought in the valley for twelve years. Matsyendranath, thus, appeared for the relief of the suffering humanity. The king of that time was worried about the drought an therefore, consulted Bandhudutta Acharya, a wise person who advised the king that only Lord Lokeswar could save the valley. The Acharya, by means of his tantric power saved Karkotak nag, the king of the nags. Then King Narendra Dev, Karkotak nag, a porter named Ratham Chakra and Bandhudatta himself went where Avalokiteswar was. There, with powerful spells or mantras, Bandhudutta compelled matsyendranath to enter into a jar in the form of a black and big bee-like creature. Inspite of much prevention by his mother, Avalokiteswar was taken to Patan with an agreement that he would be entrusted with the government and that his mother would be pacified by sacrificial offerings every year. 

MATAYA

Matya is a typical Buddhist festival of Nepal which in Newari means the festival of lights. It is, however, quite different from Deepawali which is celebrated every year in the month of November. Mataya is a festival in the form of a procession that begins early in the morning on the third day of the dark fortnight of Shrawan (August). One of the most fascinating features of this festival is a long parade of enthusiastic shrine walkers who go around all the Buddhist shrines scattered in and around the city of Lalitpur or Patan. It must be remembered here that Patan alone has more than 1300 Buddhist shrines. The shrine-walkers visit all those shrines in a colourful procession walking through the traditionally prescribed routes. Thousands and thousands of devotees participate in this parade and walk the whole day to cover all the shrines. The rest of the people just watch the procession by staying at suitable locations and places. They carry a variety of exciting gifts to make offerings to Lord Buddha in all the shrines. The offering of oil or butter lamps to lord Buddha is a dominant feature of this auspicious day. According to popular belief, Lord Buddha attained enlightenment on this day by overcoming the Maras or the evils personified. 

Legends say that when Shakyamuni Gautam was in deep penance to attain Nirvana, all the Mara’s, came down to detract him by disguising themselves into different disturbing and ferocious forms as well as attractive damsels or nymphs to disturb his meditation. Finally, the Buddha Shakya Muni overcame Maras and became the enlightened one. Later, all the Mara’s came to confess their sins and surrendered to Lord Buddha and worshipped Him with great honor. Ever since this festival is believed to have come into existence to mark this great day. 

This parade is accordingly comprised of devotees of all kinds including various forms of Mara’s and groups of musicians and artists demonstrating Nepalese musical and cultural traditions. It takes about twelve hours to complete the round to the entire Buddhist shrines.

This occasion is celebrated with lavish feasts and fun. Management and organization of the parade are handled by the people of various areas of Patan in rotation of ten years.  

MATRI AUNSI

 Literal meaning of Matri is mother and Aunsi means the fifteenth or the darkest night according to Lunar calendar. Matri Aunsi particularly falls in the month of Baisakh. This being specially observed as mother’s day, those whose mothers have expired go to Mata Teertha (a holy place consecrated to mothers which is in the outskirts of Kathmandu) to take bath and make offerings, in the name of their mothers, to the Brahmins and priests. Surviving mothers are served with sweets and delicious dishes with reverence by their sons an daughters and in return mothers bless them. 

The legendary background of this festival is based upon the belief that once in this particular day it had so happened that the breads thrown by cowherds whose mothers have expired, disappeared at that place which is called ‘Mata Teertha’ where as those thrown by the cowherds whose mothers were still surviving did not. A pond was created later, and from them on the practice of bathing in the pond and offering edibles to the Brahmins and the priests came into practice.