Instruments of Janabaha
Dha: bajan
Kansakars participate in the annual chariot procession of Aryavalokitesvara which is known as Jana Baha Dyah Jatra by playing long horns called Paintah as well as Dha: bajan. The Kansakar Gunla Bajan also known as Janabaha Gunla Bajan organizes performances of religious music during the whole month of Gunla and other festivals. Gunla Bajan (Dha: Bajan) and Paintah are vital to every cultural procedure that takes place in Janabaha Dyah jatra, providing the rhythmic heartbeat that guides the chariot, boosts the energy of the devotees pulling it, and creates a sacred, festive atmosphere. Their sound signals the procession’s movement through Kathmandu, ensuring traditional coordination and spiritual resonance.
Paintah (Panchataal)
During the chariot festival, the image of Jana Bāhā Dyah is moved from the main temple at Janabahal and carried in a portable shrine to Durbar Marg from where the actual procession starts. There it is installed in the chariot built in the shape of a tower on wheels. The chariot is 32 haat/48 feet high.
When the image is placed on the chariot, a group of people from the Kansakar community plays short fanfare on their long trumpets called “Paintah” to announce the installation. Paintah of Janabaha, Shree Karunamaya Paintah, is played by the Kansakars and the Guruju’s of Janbaha and Twabaha not just for the Janabaha Dyo jatra, but for almost every cultural procedure that takes place in Janabaha for the deity, Janbaha dyo.
This is a musical instrument in the Vajrayana sects’ bihars unique to Nepal Mandal, and is played throughout the month of Gunla and Kartik, during Chacha Pyakhan as well as the grand Samyak Mahadaan of Yen (Kathmandu) that takes place once every 12 years.
Other than such public cultural occasions, Paintah is also played during Gopya puja carried out by the Gurjus.