Gunla

Devotees with offerings wait for alms receivers during Panjarān

Panjaran (पन्जरां) is the alms giving festival. Males of the Bajracharya and Shakya castes make an alms round of the city and devotees give them rice and money. Shrines are set up with Buddha statues and paubha scroll paintings at private homes, courtyards and on the roadsides from where the gifts are distributed. The event is held on different dates in Kathmandu valley and Lalitpur.[8]

On the first day of the second fortnight of Gunla, large images of the Dipankara Buddha and paubha paintings are put on display in sacred courtyards. The ceremony is known as Bahidyah Bwayegu (बहीद्यः ब्वयेगु).[9][10]

On this day in a festival known as Bahidyah Swahwanegu (बहीद्यः स्वःवनेगु), the musical bands followed by residents of the locality visit the sacred courtyards in a procession to view the exhibits. The festival occurs on the day after the full moon and coincides with the Gai Jatra festival.[11]

Another major day for Gunla Bajan societies is the ceremony of Nisala Chhawanegu (निसला छाःवनेगु) when they make offerings to Swayambhu, and hold Gunla Bajan concerts at one's neighborhoods.[12]

Also on the first day of Gunla in Lalitpur, the sacred early morning rally "Bwo-gi" begins usually from 1:30 in the morning and walked around the buddhist templese and stupas untill the sunrise. Generally it is believed to be stopped or paused for that day before the sunrise so that devotees wont step even the shadow of stupa (chaitya) or buddha image. Like wise it takes normally four days to complete but take a day more if needed. The four stupas surrounding Lalitpur namely Lagankhya Thur in Lagankhel, Pucha Thur in Pulchowk, Bagmati Thur in Banglamukhi and Teta Thur in Gwarko are visited turn by turn in four days. The rally is accompanied by four types of musical bands namely Dha, Khin, Damokhin and Dhime Baja in a row. Each stupa is visited in a day thereby going to sub-stupas and temples visiting many Mahabihars and Bahals (chwoks or sacred courtyards). Devotees offer different types of offerings including chocolates, coins, camphor, etc while going around the walk. About 400 - 500 participants participate in this holy walk out of which some are the family and relatives of recent descendants.

Matayā (मतया:) (meaning "light procession" in Nepal Bhasa) is one of the most important religious celebrations in Lalitpur visiting all the stupas visited in Baghi all in a day. The festival celebrates the event when the Buddha overcame Mara, or temptation, and attained the light of wisdom.[13]

Devotees visit Buddhist shrines and sacred courtyards in the city in a winding file and offer worship to the images. The participants also consist of musical bands and actors dressed in colorful costumes. The circuitous festival route takes the whole day to complete.[14]