Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has formally invited President Ram Chandra Paudel to the Samyak Mahadan ceremony scheduled for January 15, 2027 (Magh 1, 2083) at Bhui Khel, Swayambhu.
Acting Mayor Sunita Dangol, who is chief coordinator of the festival’s organising committee, presented the traditional invitation, known as Gwayadan, at the President’s Office in Shital Niwas on Thursday.
The invitation ceremony
Before heading to Shital Niwas, the delegation performed worship at Swayambhu under the religious guidance of Professor Dr Naresh Man Bajracharya, coordinator of the main organising committee. Senior Buddhist priests and assistant gurus offered prayers at Shantipur, Basudhara, Mahamanjushree, Amitabha, Bijeshwari Yogini and Avalokiteshwar, also known as Seto Machhindranath.
The procession to Shital Niwas included representatives of the main organising committee, the implementation committee, KMC, ward offices, executive members and department heads. Bands of the Nepali Army, Nepal Police and Armed Police Force took part, along with Newar musical groups playing the Dhime and Gula.
At Shital Niwas, Dangol read out the invitation and presented it to the President, and offerings of water, tika, garlands, flowers and fruit were made. The ceremony included the traditional public invitation known as Ghantaghoshan, under which people who have not received an individual invitation are also considered invited.
What is Samyak Mahadan
Samyak Mahadan is a Newar Buddhist ceremony of dana, or generosity, centred on Dipankara Buddha. Images of Dipankara from monasteries, courtyards and families are brought together for worship, and offerings are made to Buddhist priests and members of the Sangha.
In Kathmandu it is traditionally held over two days. Dipankara images are displayed at Hanuman Dhoka in Kathmandu Durbar Square on the first day, and the main gathering and almsgiving take place at Bhui Khel, Swayambhu, on the second. If the plan holds, the Hanuman Dhoka programme would fall on January 14.
The festival’s intervals differ across the Valley. Kathmandu’s major Samyak is held every 12 years, Patan’s at Nagbahal every five years, and Bhaktapur observes an annual celebration.
Head of state tradition
The ceremony has historically involved the head of state.
Records show King Tribhuvan presiding in 1955, King Mahendra at Bhui Khel in 1968, and King Gyanendra receiving offerings at Swayambhu in January 2005. The invitation to President Paudel continues that practice under the republic.
The religious rituals remain in the hands of Buddhist religious authorities and the participating communities.
Revival after 22 years
KMC and the organising committee say the last full Kathmandu Samyak took place in 2061 BS. The tradition became hard to sustain at community level. Three guthi groups once rotated the festival at four-year intervals before moving to a larger 12-year ceremony, and the optional form, organised by individual patrons, has also not been held for about 25 years. Preparations require bringing together images from many custodians, food, donations, processions, security, a large venue and traditional musicians.
Organisation
KMC has formed a 301-member main ceremony committee under Dangol, with Bajracharya as committee coordinator. Co-coordinators are KMC spokesperson Naveen Manandhar, Ward 15 chair Ishwarman Dangol, Asha Man Sangat of the Heritage and Tourism Committee, Shubh Kaji Shakya of the Kathmandu Mahavihar Association and Dr Suman Kamal Tuladhar of Uray Samaj. A 37-member implementation committee, also chaired by Dangol, and 13 subcommittees cover worship and donations, invitation of deities, food, venue, volunteers, transport, culture, health, publicity, finance and security.
At an October 21 meeting, Dangol said time was limited and called for broad participation. KMC has placed the festival in its FY 2083/84 policy, programme and budget, but has not disclosed a separate budget. She said the municipal allocation would not be enough and that donors and community contributions would be needed.
Dangol has said the aim is to preserve intangible heritage so younger generations can experience the tradition directly. KMC says it is taking the administrative lead without replacing the religious community, and plans to document the rituals, procedures and music for future generations.
