Dhami Jhakri Samanic practice in Nepal
Dhami Jhakri (Samanic practice) in Nepal: A Sacred Tradition of Healing and Connection
Nestled in the majestic Himalayas, Nepal has long been revered as a sacred land, believed since ancient times to be the abode of gods. Historical accounts suggest that deities and sages once meditated in this divine realm across different eras. Even today, this spiritual legacy endures, embodied in traditions like the Dhami Jhakri a living testament to Nepal’s enduring mystical power.
The practice of Dhami/Jhakri (Saman) is a beautiful and ancient shamanic tradition deeply woven into Nepal’s cultural and spiritual heritage. While its exact beginnings remain unrecorded, it has been cherished for countless generations as a sacred bridge between people, nature, deities, and ancestors. Through heartfelt rituals, Dhami/Jhakri nurture these connections while offering healing from spiritual troubles and negative energies.
The wisdom and spiritual gifts of a Dhami/Jhakri are often passed down to generations, though some practitioners believe they receive their calling through divine inspiration. To become a Dhami/Jhakri, one follows a path of devotion and discipline, honoring Shakti, the divine feminine energy. Many Nepali traditions speak of initiates learning from Ban Jhankri, a mystical forest or cave-dwelling spirit, through dreams and visions. A special ceremony, guided by an experienced Jhankri or Tantric Guru, then welcomes the new shaman into their role. This sacred ritual includes prayers to the Guru, Ban Jhankri, Mother Earth (Bhoomi Puja), the Sky (Akash Puja), and other divine forces.
In Nepal’s hills and mountains, Dhami/Jhakris are lovingly sought for guidance during difficult times—whether illness, infertility, or spiritual unrest. Their practice is embraced across different faiths, including Buddhism and Hinduism. During ceremonies, they wear vibrant seven-colored robes, Rudraksha beads, and peacock feather crowns, creating a sacred atmosphere with the rhythm of the Dhangro drum, the sound of conch shells, and offerings like butter lamps, incense, and grains. In some traditions, rituals may also include animal sacrifices, reflecting deep-rooted customs.
Different communities honor these healers with unique names, Capri among the Gurung, Phedangwa for the Rai and Limbu, and Ramba in Tamang culture. Dhami/Jhakris hold deep reverence for Vanjhakri, their guiding deity, often depicted as a majestic figure adorned with bone garlands, dwelling in hidden caves. They further believe that the Vanjhakri’s footprint indicate to the opositive directioin as lay man do not follow them.
One of the most sacred sites linked to this tradition is Gosaikund (Gosainkunnda lake), a serene high-altitude lake near the Langtang mountains in Helambu region. Every August, on the full moon day (Rakshya Bandhan), spiritual seekers gather here to celebrate, share their gifts, and honor the divine. Though no written records trace its origins, locals believe this festival has been a cherished tradition for centuries.
This year, Janai Purnima (the sacred thread festival) will be celebrated on August 9th, 2025, adding another layer of spiritual significance to this timeless practice.
(Source: “The Nepalese Shamanic Path by Evelyn C Rysdyk”)
TAAN मा मेरो भोट कसलाई
TAAN मा मेरो भोट कसलाई
Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal, TAAN को बार्षिक साधारण सभा तथा आगामी २ बर्से कार्य कालको लागि कार्यसमिति को निर्बचान येही September २ तारिक का दिन हुन गइरहेको छ। एस दौरान विभिन्न उमेदवारका आकांक्षीहरु मैदानमा प्रेबेश गरेका छन्।
बिगतका केहि कार्यकाल देखि TAAN केवल कर्मकाण्डी , भित्तामा नाम झुन्डाउने र TIMS को बहानामा पर्यटन बोर्ड धाउने बाहेक केहि उल्लेखनिय काम हुन सके जस्तो देखिदैन। कतिले त संस्थालाई थला पर्ने गरि पाँच तारेमा होटेलमा भोज खाएर आफ्नो राजनैतिक दाउ अगि बढाउन गाउमा गोरु जुधाउने , भलिबल खेलाउने जास्ता कार्य सम्म गरे। जसका कारण TAAN को पर्यटन बोर्डमा बेरुजु सम्म हुन पुग्यो।
अब आउने २ बर्सको नेत्रित्यले अहिलेको बदलिदो समय अनुसारको काम गर्न सक्ने ( Mission and Vision ) होस् । चुनाबमा अरुले तयार परिदियको घोसणा पत्र एक पटक सम्म पनि नपढेको उमेदवार नहोस। कुनै पनि कार्यगर्दा दुरगामी असर को बारेमा राम्रो संग बिज्ञ संग छलफल गरि निर्णय गर्ने व्यक्ति होस् । बिकाउ नारा, बिना गाइड वा भरिया पदयात्रा जान नपाउने र TIMS अनिबार्य गर्नु पर्दछ भन्ने मात्र उदेस्य नहोस।
TAAN जस्तो झन्डै २००० सदस्य भएको संस्था ले पर्बतिय पर्यटनमा
अध्ययन अनुसन्धान मा व्यापक श्रोत र साधन परिचालन गरोस
खासगरी स्थानीय रुपमा उपलब्ध श्रोत साधन (झरना लाइ छान्गारोहन , ठुला ढुंगा लाइ आकृतिमा , चट्टान कुदेर, फुल को बन , बनस्पति उधान ) विविधिकरण गरि कृतिम आकर्सन थपेर त्यो ठाउलाइ बिसेस विधायुक्त बनाउन स्थानीय निकाय संग पहल गर्नु पर्दछ। एसले पर्बतिय पर्यटन लाइ बचाई राख्न सहयोग गर्न सक्क्ष।
हाम्रा निकुञ्जमा थप होटल लज को विस्तार भन्दा पाटि हरुको निर्माण गरि अन्य ब्यबस्ता ब्यबसाय गर्ने हरुले गर्न पाउन पर्दछ।
हिमालय को आधार सिबिर वा नजिकका गाउमा योग वा ध्यान केन्द्रको विकास गर्न सके पर्यटनमा नया आयाम हुन गई पदयात्रा ब्यबसाय लाइ पनि सहयोग हुने थियो।
पदयात्रा ब्यबसाय लाइ कसरि विविधिकरण संग जोड्न सकिन्छ,
कसरि प्रबिधि मैत्री हुदै गुणस्तर बढाउन सकीन्छ
हालको असहज निकुञ्ज प्रबेस नियम, बिमा लगायत का बिसएमा राम्रो धारणा भएकोलाई एस पाली को मात दिने विचार छ।
यो मेरो नितान्त व्यक्तिगत विचार हो। कसैपर्ती लक्क्षित छैन। गल्ति हुन गएमा माफ सहित
Teej festival in Nepal
Teej (Haritalika), is the great festival of Hindu women which was observed yesterday (30th Aug 2022) of this year. The festival is mainly dedicated to Goddess Parvati, as she has got a union to Lord Shiva of after her devotional prayer. Further unmarried girls wish to get a best husband and married women wish long and happy life to their husband. They do not eat whole day even a water to make a it more holy and believe that wish come true.
This festival is celebrated all over Nepal and also in India. The festival celebrates with its uniqueness. The women mostly wear red Sari (red dress) and get together in common place, sing a folk song and dance. As they do visit Lord Shiva temple nearby them to worship, most of them go to Pashupatinath temple standing in a huge row line. The Teej is an old traditional festival of Nepal, it is more popular around the modern city as well as the village.
This is one of the happiest and special days with them because they do get free from the regular work and stress and can fully enjoy with another closer feminine. Generally, the married girls are invited to their birth home and feed them a delicious food. They meet their childhood friend and family member which gives joy and happiness.
Nepal is very cultural country. There are many festivals accordingly the religion, cast and geographically as well as. This types festival helps to reunite the friendship, family and refresh personally. This festival falls after a couple of month of heavy rain and hardworking, it is also a break to them. After Teej finish, there are major festival in a way like Dashain and Dipabali. Happy Teej.
Frog worship in Kathmandu
Nepal is rich in its live culture and traditions. The richness of the culture represents the prosperity of the people in the society. Kathmandu is very rich in its culture and tradition. The farmer in Kathmandu worship Frog as a GOD. The tradition, which is called ‘Byanja Naka: Banegu’ in Newari, is a part of the belief that frogs are perceived god of nature and messenger of the god of rain and will help bring rain and good harvest. Frogs are also believed to help in protecting farmers’ crops by devouring harmful insects. Frog Worshiping festival in Kathmandu falls in a full moon day in July.
On that day, the farmer goes down to their green rice field and offer delicacies to the frog, boiled rice, 9 different types vegetable. This is also an excuse of an unknowing hurt to the frog while working in the field.