Newari Culture - Barha (Girls)

After the ihi or the bael byah, next come the Bahra, a traditional rituals confinement of a girl before the onset of menstruation. This ritual is done when a girl enters her youth. A girl after having undergone ihi is kept separated from all makes and from sunlight for 12 days. She has to stay in a dark room. On the 12th day the girl is purified and the function ends with a Bhoj (traditional newari meal where all family members are present).

These rituals are of two types, Bahra tyagu and Bahra chauneygu. The first ritual is performed before the start of menses. This is done between the age of five and 13. More then one girl can follow the ritual but in case of Bahra Chauneygu, only one girl has to undergo.

In both occasion a cave of cloths, Bahra Khayak is made and worshiped. It is believed that the girl is under the evil possession. A separate meal for the khayak is taken out from the meal of the caved girl. Salt is not used in any of the meal and the girl is entertained with folk songs and dance performed by her friends. For all the 12 days thakali naki, worships the Khyak and will do all the girl work. She is the medium between the girl and her family.

Till the 11 days the family members are considered impure but the married sisters cannot be counted. On the 6th day, particular kerosene oil is provided by the paju (Mama) that is put on the face by the women in the family and finally putting it on the hair of the girl just ending the consumption of salts.

It is only after the 11 days the girl is considered as pure and holy. It is known as Nishi Yayagu. Then the girl pays homage to the sun god. She will be bathed and will be blind folded. She is then taken to the open space to have a Surya Darshan. During these rituals, thakali naki performs the major role. She first worships the Ganesha and sun god. Fistful wheat seed and rice is given to the girl that she throws backward. This is done for three times. Sindoor is put on the forehead of the girl and new dress is presented. The girl now can wear a sari, she is considered as women. In respect to the seniority everyone bless the girl with a tika, made of pitho and oil. The girl is then given Sagun (newari prasad), first to the ancestral deity, then to other family members.

Each family member now considers that the girl is not mere child but has now become an adolescent. Her introduction to menstruation is expected and after the bhoj the rituals end.