The Gunlaa festival, an integral part of the Newar community's cultural calendar, began this Monday and will extend for a month. Celebrated as a confluence of rain and knowledge, Gunlaa is marked by a deep-rooted tradition of morning pilgrimages to Lord Swayambhu. Today, the air of the Kathmandu Valley resonates with the special music of traditional drums, while devotees throng the numerous monasteries, temples, and spiritual sites, creating a vibrant tapestry of faith and heritage. (Source:Hamro Patra) Today's journey takes me back to Swayambhu, the heart of my childhood and the backdrop of my school days. Here, amidst the festival's bustle, I find the essence of our culture and identity. Though the term 'identity' often carries a heavy connotation, I embrace it positively here. I am captivated by the throngs of people, each participant embodying a cultural purpose and representing a shared value. The devotees at Swayambhu, it seems, carry a divine spark within the...
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