Mhaa-Pujaa,Khokana

Khokana dya-peee

Shikali Jattra Gallary

The member of the Guthi is distributing the 'Prasata' at Shikali Jattra.

Shikali Jattra

The local youth of the khokana carrying the De-khaa at Khokana.

Shikali Jattra

The local Kumar's of Khokana jumping the god Ganesh at shikali jattra

Karkai De-yaa

The Village Structure of Khokana

The Village Structure:

According to Vastu, ancient art of architecture, the village is in shape of Swastik and there is a temple of Goddess Rudrayani at the central of the village. The journey to Khokana village starts from eastern point of the village where one can view the Kamal Pokhari (Kamal Pond/ Pahel Pukhu) in the right and Aina Pokhari (Mirror Pond/ Kha:Pukha) in the left. There is no chance of getting lost while visiting the village as there are only two crossroads that pass through the open field (Lachhi). The villagers are honest, straight forward and peaceful. Khokana still retains the hallmark of medieval settlement with cobbled-stones, pond, drainage and bahal (squares). The roads and alleys of the village, well managed houses standing in the row, doors of every traditional houses and their carved windows, and attractively designed balconies, Tundal and roof of thin bricks (aapa) add to the beauty of the village.

There is a Lachhi, a open area, in front of Rudrayani Temple at the central part of the village from where Thalachhi and Kwalachhi are visible. The Buddha Stupa at the Lachhi is believed to be constructed by the then Maurya King Ashoka while he visited Nepal to promote Buddhism. The Lord Shiva Temple, Hanuman Pati De Pokhari and Lord Krishna Temple situated near the Stupa clearly shows the religious harmony and coexistence. As you make your way down the main street of the village to the eastern part of Lachhi towards Dhyakuchey via Thalachhi and Nanichatole, one can view women sitting outside spinning, senior citizens sunbathing, men grinding seeds, children playing and other daily activities on the side of Dhyakuchhey. As you move towards Ga: Tole, one can view the traditional culture reflected through the garlands of chilies, garlic, onion and Chhyapi, hanged on the windows. When stepping towards to Kutu: Pukhu Tole, one can enjoy the glimpse of Kutu Pukhu. As you travel further to the Kutu: Pukhu Tole, you can see a western exit door to another village. If you leave the idea of exiting through the door and go straight forward you will step in Kwaylachhe, which is a culturally rich place. This place has Dabali and Guthis where Rudrayani Dance is performed during festive seasons.

Jitapur Falcha is located in this area where followers of Gunla Dharma perform prayers around it according to the Newari tradition, which is also known as Gaacha Holegu and Gaa Falcha. As, it holds the name of Jitapur Falcha, it is continuing traditional name of Khokana. There are also the temples of Lord Ganesh, Nitya Gurudev (Naa: Sa Dhyo) and Saraswati in the area for ritual activities. As you climb the steps from there one can reach Nhyabu Tole. In this Tole, there stands a Boudha Stupa made up of stones. Like other places in the village, houses of this place do consists of carved windows. While walking towards the Gabhu: Tole through Ta: Jhya Tole one can get to the beauty of Gabhu Lachhi Dabali. This Tole is unique in the sense that it has temples of Lord Ganesha and Na Sa Dho for the ritual activities only for this area. In this tole there is also a Gabu Pokhari. While getting rid of Cho Chhey Tole one can find the eastern gate to enter the village.

Major Festivals:

Sithi Nakha
Gatha Muga
Gunla
Khyakhi (Gaijatra)
Indra Jatra
Sikali Jatra
Swanti Nakha (Tihar)
Sakimana Punhi
Yo Mari Punhi
Ghyo Chaku Sanlu
Khai Sanlu

Music:

On the basis of the intruments played, there are nine Dafa Khalas (Traditional Musical groups) most of which play Dafas with the notes of Khein. They also play Dhime & Dhaa Baja according to mood of the occasion. The Swa Manka Khala plays Bansuri. Nayakhi Baja, Jugi Baja and Kaan Baja too are traditional musical instruments here.

Rituals

Birth:
With the birth of a child the mother is offered with sizzled food and god Nararan’s stature is worshipped. A number of ceremonies follow after the birth. The mother and the child are given oil massages in the months to come. In case of girl child, before the menarche, they are kept in isolation called Bara Tayegu and ferried around the temple after the ritual ends. In case of boy, Kaita Puja (coming-of-age ceremony) is performed at the age of 12. At the age of 77 years, 7 months and 7 day Janku (Bhim Ratharohan) is performed

Death:
The dead body is worshipped and moved to the cremation site amid musical procession. During Gaijatra, families who have lost relatives during the year participate in a procession through the streets of Kathmandu.

Earnings & Businesses

The Newari peasants (JYAPU) who live here are mostly dependent on agriculture so they are highly skilled in growing vegetables and grains in sophisticated manner. They love to stay in community and believe in cooperation. The village is famous for its unusual fried-mustard-oil harvesting process in which a heavy wooden beam is used to crush the mustard seeds in order to extract the oil. It is believed that a share system still exists for the past 350 years in building mustard-oil-producing-mills. This oil, which is popular across the country as Khokana-oil, is used both for consumption and its therapeutic value. Although there were four mills established at the Khokana, only two of them are operating smoothly.

Introduction

Khokana, a traditional and tiny Newari village eight kilometers south of Kathmandu (on the outskirts of Patan), which has its own history and has retained its tradition and culture. It is a living museum and recalls medieval times. The farming community of Newars who live here are mostly dependent on agriculture and much of their daily activities take place outside of their dwellings.
There are women sitting outside spinning, men crushing seeds, and other daily activities. The village is famous for its unusual mustard-oil harvesting process in which a heavy wooden beam is used to crush the mustard seeds in order to extract the oil. It is believed that a share system was used in the past here. This oil can be consumed if desired, but it can also be used for therapeutic massage. This was also the first village, indeed the first habitation, to be electrified, before Kathmandu.

In the center is a three-storey temple, Shree Rudrayani, with a particularly wide main street, especially for a village of such small size. Khokana has been nominated to be listed as a World Heritage Site, Khokana, representing a vernacular village and its mustard-oil seed industrial heritage.
"Khokana is a unique village which can be taken as a model of a medieval settlement pattern with a system of drainage and chowks. It houses chaityas and a Mother Goddess temple. The mustard-oil seed industry has become the living heritage of the village

 There were four main public mustard oil mills in 2000 AD. Now all of them are barely in use. Each mill has its members from almost every household in the past. In the course of time, a large number of members sought their fate in other professions, since they could not compete with the corporate products. Eventually, the members ebbed away. The gradual declination in use of mills over a decade and unhealthy market competition were the obvious reasons behind the extinction of traditional oil-mill for a time being. However, UNESCO backed the shareholders of the mills to renovate and bring them back into use. This oil is primarily used for cooking, but also used it for therapeutic massage.