Bhanu Jayanti is a special day in Nepal, certain regions in India, Myanmar and beyond where Nepali-speaking population dwell. The Nepali speaking community celebrates the Bhanu Jayanti festival with great pride on Nepali language and literature.
Bhanu Jayanti is all about the celebration of the birthday of Bhanu Bhakta Acharya, a famous personality for his contributions in Nepali language and literature. He has been considered as Aadi Kavi (First Poet) of Nepal. Though some poets could have existed in Nepal before him, his contribution on Nepali language and literature has become more eminent in Nepal.
More on Bhanu Jayanti
Bhanu Jayanti literally means the birth celebration of Bhanu. Bhanu is the first name of the famous and historical personality of Nepal- Bhanu Bhakta Acharya. He is considered as the first poet to write poems and literature in the Nepali language. He has a great contribution to influencing and protecting the Nepali language and helping Nepali people to preserve their language.
Bhanu Jayanti is celebrated every year on the birthday of Bhanu Bhakta- 29th Asar. Let’s know more about Bhanu Bhakta Acharya first.
Who is Bhanu Bhakta Acharya?
Bhanu Bhakta Acharya is known as the first poet of the Nepali language. Hi is known for his work on translating the epic Ramayana from Sanskrit to Nepali. His notable poems include Ghansi (Grasscutter), Ma Bhanu Bhakta, Prashnauttarmala, Bhakta mala, etc.
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| Bhanu Bhakta Acharya’s Idol located at Vyas Municipality, Tanahu District, Nepal (Image Source: Rajesh Dhungana | WikiMedia Commons) |
Bhanu Bhakta Acharya was born in Tanahu district of Nepal. Tanahu district is in Gandaki province, and near Kaski. He was born on 29th Ashad 1871 BS (13th of July, 1814) in the beautiful Chundi Ramgha village of Tanahun district. He was the son of Mr. Dhananjaya Acharya and Mrs. Dharmawati Acharya. His father was a government official.
Bhanu Bhakta’s grandfather was a priest who used to perform rituals and worships. Bhanu Bhakta Acharya received his primary education from his home and later he moved to Banaras (Famous Place in India where Hindu Brahmins go for gaining knowledge from the Gurus and Saints. Sanskrit was the language mostly used for education in those days. Sanskrit was the most revered language in those days India and Nepal. Nepali language was only spoken orally and never used as the official language or for sharing knowledge.
He translated the Sanskrit Ramayana into Nepali Ramayana, which made people easier to understand and read. He started writing poems in the Nepali language amid no popularity of the Nepali language. He was even imprisoned for influencing the Nepali writings, but he kept on writing. His arts and literature were later published by the Youth Poet Motiram Bhatta after his death. Bhanu Bhakta Acharya died at the age of 53 in 1925 BS in Tanahu district.
Inspiration of Bhanu Bhakta Acharya
He was a simple guy before he met his inspiration. His inspiration is a poor grasscutter from a small village. Once he was roaming around the villages, he saw a grasscutter cutting grass. Then, he stopped there to ask some questions to the grasscutter. He asked the grasscutter, why he was cutting the grass. The grasscutter replied to Bhanu Bhakta Acharya, that he runs his daily livelihood and saves some amount of his income from grass cutting.
Bhanu Bhakta was surprised listening to this and asked the grasscutter what would he do with such a little savings. The grasscutter replied to Bhanu Bhakta that he was going to build a small well for the people to drink water as there was no well nearby. Listening to this Bhanu Bhakta was surprised and asked the grasscutter, why would he build a well for the other people. Then, the grasscutter replied to Bhanu Bhakta that, good works can make a person alive for thousands of years. By this saying of the grasscutter, Bhanu Bhakta was inspired a lot and he decided to work for the public welfare, at least in his country, so that his name would be forever remembered.
Contributions of Bhanu Bhakta Acharya
In those days of Bhanu Bhakta Acharya, the Nepali language was hated and not preferred by the teachers, priests, and scholars. Normal people couldn’t understand the Sanskrit language and they couldn’t get a formal education. So, Bhanu Bhakta Acharya decided to publish the literature in Nepali languages. He even influenced the Nepali language and helped people to understand the Nepali language.
He helped to know the significance of the Nepali language to the people and worked for the preservation of the Nepali language. Due to his contribution, people started getting an education in the Nepali language. The official language of Nepal today is Nepali language. His contribution helped a lot of people to read and understand the Ramayana. These contributions of Bhanu Bhakta Acharya will never be forgotten.
Who Celebrates Bhanu Jayanti?
Bhanu Jayanti is Celebrated every year by the Nepali people in Nepal, India, Myanmar and Nepali diaspora abroad. and even some of the Indian people. Bhanu Jayanti is celebrated on the 29th of Ashad (Nepali Month), which is the birthday of Bhanu Bhakta Acharya. Bhanu Jayanti is a special day in the Nepali community. Please be no surprised when you happen to witness the celebration of Bhanu Jayanti in Darjeeling and Sikkim of India. In India, regions like Sikkim, Darjeeling, Assam, Dharchula, etc. speak Nepali language and celebrate Bhanu Jayanti.
How is Bhanu Jayanti Celebrated?
The government and Nepali people celebrate the Bhanu Jayanti with joy on the 29th of Ashad, every year. Bhanu Jayanti is celebrated by remembering and putting garlands on the statues / picture frames of Bhanu Bhakta Acharya. It is done all over the world where enthusiastic Nepali-speaking citizens reside.. There are a lot of statues and parks built in the name of Bhanu Bhakta Acharya. Poetry and art, competition, and exhibition are also conducted on this day. Bhanu Jayanti is also celebrated for helping the poor and needy people.
Conclusion
This article was all about the Bhanu Jayanti, a festival celebrated on the day of the birth of the first poet of the Nepali language- Bhanu Bhakta Acharya. He is a great personality who influenced and preserved the Nepali language all over the country. Bhanu Bhakta is respected and admired by Nepali and Nepali language speakers all over the world. Bhanu Bhakta will always be remembered for his contribution to influencing the Nepali language. Thank you for reading this article. Comments and feedback are appreciated.
