Malla period is known as the golden age of the Kathmandu valley for the cultural development witnessed in this period. Among the medieval settlements, a typical Newar town , the least affected by modern lifestyle, Thimi has its own identity. Splendid arts and crafts of Malla period which is existing till today introduce the living culture of Thimi. Practices of erecting temples and statues in the town are not of today but started in 7th century, which is known by found inscription of Lichhavi period in Thimi. This medieval town is also known as Madhyapur, which is used only after 670 Nepal era.
It is said that Thimi used to be called as “ thee” only, which means gem in nepalbhasa. It was called so because this town is located at the middle of three major cities of the valley: Kantipur, Bhaktapur and Lalitpur and beautified and increased the value of valley. As resident of yen (Kathmandu ) is called yami and that of Bhonta (Banepa ) Bhomi, similarly Thimi used to refer residents of “ thee” which later was given the name of the town. In addition, “ Madhyapur “ in sanskrit means the same thing , i.e., a midtown.
Madhyapur Thimi Municipality
Madhyapur Thimi municipality which was established before 20 months includes Chapaacho, Balkumari, Nagadesh, Bode and Lokanthali. It is some 10 kms east from Kathmandu and three kms west from Bhaktapur. It is situated at the altitude of 1325 meters and spread over the area of 11.47 sq. km, which has around 40,000 inhabitants among, most of which are the Newars. The literacy percent of the city is 48. Municipality is divided in 17 municipal wards.
Popularity and lifestyle
Madhyapur Thimi is well-known for earthen wares ( terra-cotta/ceramics ), masks, puppets, traditional hand woven clothes and other handicrafts. The Prajapatis (kumhas) are potters by caste who make clay pots of various size. Small pots are made on wheels while gigantic ones are first shaped on wheels and then turned larger by beating with wooden hammer.
Hand woven clothes have many categories such as Halego, Puntika, Mathema etc. In every potters or farmers houses there used to be a traditional cloth weaving machine. Women used to weave clothes in their own houses. Masks, which dancers wear on festive occasions so as to represent gods and demons, puppets and dolls are created by the Chitrakars (pun) the traditional artists. They also point various pictures on various ritual clay pots and papers.
Madhyapur is also famous for sweet beaten rice (tikin baji) and its tradition of fields, which has made Madhyapur the vegetable garden for Kathmandu Valley. Thimi grows the bulk of the vegetables for Kathmandu. Farming is the main work of the hard working Newars farmers known as Jyapus. They go to farm early morning and return home late. So, the children hardly get the chance to see their parents.
Temples and other craftsmanship
Thimi boasts of a exceptionally complex scene of religious building, temples, shrine and statues. Three tiered Balkumari Pagoda (of 15 century) is noted for its artistic grandeur. Besides this, two tiered Siddhi Ganesh temples of Nagadesh Lachhi Tole, two tiered Siddhikaki (Inaya ko) temples are same examples of superb craftsmanship.
There are altogether ten Buddhist courtyards for monks (Bahals) including Nagadesh Bouddha Bihar. Among which Hembarna Mahabihar established in 810 Nepal Sambat is leading Bihar of Thimi. It has 108 images of Lokeshor painted around the Bahal. Other Bahals include Gunakirti Maha Bihar (Digu Baha), Her Nibarna MahaBihar (Yachin Baha), Guna Bakya Maha Bihar (Bakya Baha), Her Subarna Maha Bihar (Nhoo Baha), Jeta Barna Maha Bihar(Dathu Baha), Purba Sthith Maha Bihar (Jeeswan Baha) and Pati Bihar have their own peculiarities. The number of shrines and temples can be found there at almost every thresholds, backyard, street and crossroads, which is scarcely countable.
Festivals
A festival is always significant where the people enjoy more in participation than just watching. Some of the major and interesting festivals are Bisket Jatra ,Tongue Penetrating festival. Sithi Nakha, Gathan Mugah (Ghanta Karna), Indra Jatra, Gai Jatra, Dashain, Tihar etc.
Bisket Jatra is the most spectacular festival of Thimi. This festival is celebrated according to Vikram Era .It is celebrated for four days. On the new year’s eve, Bisket Jatra takes place in Dakschin Barahi (Kwachhen) and Balkumari. On the first day of the year Bisket Jatra takes place in evening in Siddhikali of Thimi. On the second day, 32 chariot –festival takes place at Balkumari and the temple is revolved by the participants. While playing with red powder, they carry chariot, the lights or play traditional drums.
On the very day, Bisket festival takes place also in Nagadesh and Tigani of Madhyapur Thimi. In Bode , an extraordinary festival takes place at Bhangutole of Bode- tongue penetrating festival. One who has his tongue penetrated should belong to the Shrestha caste. After this, seven chariot of Bisket Jatra roams around Bode.
On Sithi Nakha, Karan Byuha Lokeshor of Marutole is worshipped and devotees carry the Lokeshor in chariot that is accompanied by musical group. Lokeshor of Thimi is one of the famous 12 Lokeshors of the Kathmandu Valley.
Pulukisi of Thimi is quite different from that of Kathmandu and Bhaktapur. A hollow elephant is made in which men hold it and carry a person on guise of king on its back. They go on procession around the city with musical instrument played. This is celebrated in January around Thimi and Nagadesh.
Music and dances
Ancient and traditional music and dance events still take place here on the occasion of the many different festivals. Mahakali dance is one of the most popular mask dances of Madhyapur Thimi which is based on a religion story from a Hindu Puran called “Mahakali Mahalaxmi”.
According to this, the three goddesses Mahakali, Mahalaxmi and Kumari came down to the earth from heaven to vanquish the demons who had spread great misery among the local people. So the goddesses waged a great war with the demons and defeated them, thus establishing peace and order on the earth.
Bhairab dance (Bhailaa Pyakjan) is another important dance of Thimi. It is said, Thimi was once haunted by evil spirits and the tantrik performed rituals to evoke the deities to counter the evil spirits. After having solved the problem , the deities couldn’t be appeased. Therefore, the tantrik used another mantra to confine them to a certain area. Now, they are the destroyers of evil spirits and protect the town and local folk. In this dance, a tantrik, two Bhairabs and two Kumaris dance. Dyo Pyakhan of Bode as well as the Bhairab dance is performed after Gaijatra for four days. Other dances, such as Lusi Pyakhan. Nagacha Pyakhan, Indra Apsara etc. are performed on the occasion of Gaijatra while Mahakali and Lakhe dance is performed on the occasion of Indra Jatra. According to people’s belief, whenever the Lakhes have good meal, they dance with joy. Previously, Lakhe dancers used to select victims for human blood sacrifices.
“Gunla”, a Buddhist month according to calendar of Nepal Sambat, falls on mid of July. Religious people visit Buddhist courtyards by playing instruments called “ Gunla Bhajan”, consisting of Dhaa and Nayakhin, along with cymbals and clarinets (dhaa and naykhin are played in bhairab dance an funeral procession too). It is believed that the tradition dates back to early Buddhist Era.
Other instrument like Dhime, Dapakhin, Paschima, Konchakhin, Nagara, Dholak, Pastaakhin with cymbals are played in various occasions with or without Bansuri or Muhali. Dhime is most popular and common musical ensembles of Thimi among others.
