Aadinath
Temple

Cha puja, translated as 'Clay Worship' is carried out on the day of 'Shree Panchami' (Magh, Jan/Feb) where priests (Paanju and Dhaanju) from Chwo: Baha goes to a house of potter 'Kumha' at Chyasal, Patan and perform puja to clay. The ritual is believed to purify clay before making holy clay pot (Holy Kalash). The same 'Kalash' will be used in Jatra to keep the spirit of Anandaadi Lokeshwor.

Within eight days after Cha Puja, either on Tuesday or Saturday, special puja is carried out to Pinga Dyo at Pinga nearby Bagmati River. During Pi Puja, Ganesh, Guheswori, Pith and Digu Dyo are worshipped. While doing so, two ritual bettle nuts (Gwoye) are placed in small clay bowl (Palcha) which is covered with another Palcha and tied with a string in a tantric method. Likewise, similar Palcha is placed in Kalash brought by potter.

This ritual includes travelling around periphery of Chwo Baha and it is like a preparation for Main Jatra event. The ritual falls on the day of Magh Shukla Chaturdashi. There is also a tradition of cursing using offensive words on this day. A Bali puja is conducted on the day and children curse offensive words while going to throw away sacrificed animal.

On the day if Chaitra Shukla Pratipada (Paaru), great bathing ceremony of Anandaadi Lokeshwor is conducted which is also known as Nhawan or Mahasnan. For this spirit of Lokeshwor is ritually taken out from its idol and transferred inside Kalash. The idol is then taken outside and placed in a platform (Mandap) just outside Kachhapal Vihar. The bathing ritual is carried out there by priests by pouring water and reciting mantras. After bathing ceremony, idol of Lokeshwor is placed in resthouse next to temple and worshipped by large number of devotees.

This ritual includes travelling around periphery of Chwo Baha and it is like a preparation for Main Jatra event. The ritual falls on the day of Magh Shukla Chaturdashi. There is also a tradition of cursing using offensive words on this day. A Bali puja is conducted on the day and children curse offensive words while going to throw away sacrificed animal.

NhaWan Jatra (Bathing Ceremony): On the day if Chaitra Shukla Pratipada (Paaru), great bathing ceremony of Anandaadi Lokeshwor is conducted which is also known as Nhawan or Mahasnan. For this spirit of Lokeshwor is ritually taken out from its idol and transferred inside Kalash. The idol is then taken outside and placed in a platform (Mandap) just outside Kachhapal Vihar. The bathing ritual is carried out there by priests by pouring water and reciting mantras. After bathing ceremony, idol of Lokeshwor is placed in resthouse next to temple and worshipped by large number of devotees.

On the night of Saptami, ten essential life rituals (Dash Karma) such as 'Garvadhan', 'Dikshavishek' and 'Ihi' of Anandaadi Lokeshwor is undertaken by Bajracharyas. For this, the idol of Lokeshwor is installed at Agan Chheli (ground floor of Agan Chhen). It is also told that all the materials required for this ceremony is provided by Manandhar family from Maru tole, Kathmandu.

Next day that is on the day of Ashtami, the major event of Jatra is carried out which is known as 'Dya Layegu Jatra' which means 'Captivating the God'. Early morning, the spirit of Lokeshwor is collected from junction of Bagmati and Prabhavati (Nakkhu) River and this ritual, in a way, mimics and memorizes how Lokeshwor was found at the same place in ancient time.

For this ritual, in an auspicious time as configured by Jyotish, Tha: Paa: Aaju (senior member) from Vihar allows a special flower 'DronPushpa' (Dapho Swa:) to flow in the Nakhhu River. The flower is then collected by two priests (Panju) inside the Kalash which marks the finding of God. The place is shown by senior member of Gwala: family. The Kalash, representing Aadinath Lokeshwor, is kept at platform (Daboo) across Bagmati River for certain time where it is worshipped by devotees. At the same time, another priest comes from Vihar carrying Puja and while doing so, he shouldn't stop anywhere. For this, the timing is managed by certain volunteers. The 'Puja' is received in the transitional space between land and river.

After certain time, the Kalash is carried back to another Daboo located at opposite side (western side) where it is kept for whole day and is worshipped. Nearby, Kumari puja is also performed at Pith. The jatra event is accompanied by various rituals including religious Bhajans (Hymns) by Aadinath Bhajan Khala and other traditional music. The idol is finally carried to Chwo: Baha after serving Samya Baji.

During the procession, Bajracharya priests carry the 'Kalash' and travel in a fixed route followed by large number of devotees. Traditional musical groups such as Bhajan Khala, Kaha Baja, Nyakhin Baja and Dhime baja also accompany the procession ritual. The procession also requires laying of holy cloth called 'Basha' along the whole pathway. Similarly, women perform sweeping acts in the frontline while 'Jyapu' family carries traditional umbrella sheltering the god. The Kalash is placed in the nearby Falcha for a whole day and later taken inside the temple.