Bahun

Religion

Almost all Bahuns follow Hinduism, forming the second-largest Hindu community in Nepal after the Chhetris. Because of their Khas heritage, Bahuns historically and continuously practice Hinduism alongside Khas Shamanism (Masto). Many Bahun clans worship a specific Masto spirit as their clan deity (Kuladevata). The worship of these deities, known as Kul Puja or Dewali, is typically performed every one to three years, depending on the family's traditions.

In addition to their clan deity, individuals also worship an Ishta-devta (a "personal god"), such as Shiva, Parashurama, or Kali. This deity is chosen by the individual or guided by astrology and serves as their primary personal guardian and focus of daily devotion.

Life cycle rituals (Saṃsāra)

Bahuns observe traditional Hindu life cycle rituals, known as Saṃsāra from birth to death. The journey begins with Nwaran, a traditional Nepalese Hindu naming ceremony on the eleventh day, where, a Brahmin astrologer calculates the child's birth name based on their zodiac sign. This is followed by the Annaprashan at five to six months, marking the child's first solid food. As they grow older, girls undergo Gunyo Cholo, a traditional Nepalese Hindu "coming of age of a girl" ceremony, while boys traditionally undergo Bratabandha. During Bratabandha, the boy's head is shaved and he receives the sacred thread (Janai) and enter religious maturity. Adulthood brings traditional arranged marriages (Brahma Vivaha), finalized through Vedic rites like circling the sacred fire. Finally, death is marked by cremation (Antyesti) a strict 13-day mourning period (Kriyā), and ongoing ancestral worship (Śrāddha) to the departed.

Major festivals and observances

Throughout the year, Bahuns celebrate a wide range of festivals and religious observances based on the Bikram Sambat calendar and Hindu traditions. One of the major observances for Bahun men is Janai Purnima, which marks the annual renewal of the sacred thread (Janai) following a ritual bath. On this day, Hindu Brahmin priests also tie a protective yellow-and-red thread (doro) around the wrists of devotees, worn by both men and women. Kwati, a soup made from nine types of sprouted beans is also traditionally consumed on this day across Nepal.

The longest and one of the most important festivals in Nepal is Dashain, which celebrates the victory of the Hindu goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura. Dashain is followed by Tihar, a five-day festival of lights. Tihar includes the worship of crows, dogs, and cows, as well as Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth. The festival concludes with Bhai Tika, a special day where sisters apply a multicolored Tika to their brother's foreheads to pray for their long life and prosperity.

Other major observances include Teej and Maha Shivaratri, a sacred night marked by fasting, night-long vigils, and pilgrimages to Shiva temples. Alongside these major festivals, Bahuns observe numerous other Hindu festivals, aswell as Buddhist festivals and religious ceremonies throughout the year according to the Bikram Sambat calendar, the official calendar of Nepal.

Family

Bahun society includes two broad subgroups: Purbiya Bahun and Kumai Bahun. Kumai Bahun are traditionally associated with migration from present-day Uttarakhand, particularly the Kumaon, from which their name is derived. Purbiya Bahun, meaning "eastern Bahun", are traditionally associated with present-day Karnali and Sudurpashchim provinces, east of Kumaon, which is reflected in the name Purbiya. Although most Bahun genealogies prove their ancestry to the Himalayan regions of present-day western Nepal and Uttarakhand, some clans are recorded in Vamshavali ("family genealogy") as having later migrated from other parts of present-day India.^[source?]

Ancestry and lineage are important parts of Bahun cultural practice and identity. Surname origins have been preserved through generations in detailed genealogies known as Vamshavali. Most Purbiya Bahun vamshavalis trace surnames to villages in western Nepal, particularly present-day Karnali and Sudurpashchim provinces, while Kumai Bahun surnames are mostly traced to present-day Uttarakhand. Families sharing the same surname or gotra may maintain a communal shrine dedicated to their family deity (Kuladevata), where they gather for worship. Extended family ties are also important, with specific terms based on relationship and birth order, such as kaki (aunt), kaka (uncle), and so on.

Traditional clothing

The traditional dress of Bahuns men reflects the broader Khas-Arya hill culture of Nepal. Bahun men traditionally wear the light-grey or plain black Daura-Suruwal, a closed-neck shirt with five pleats and eight strings used to tie it around the body (Daura), paired with trousers (Suruwal). It is worn with a Patuka, a waist sash traditionally used as a holster for a khukuri. A Western-style suit jacket is worn over the Daura, in matching or contrasting solid colours such as black, navy, or brown. The outfit is completed with a Dhaka topi.

The traditional dress of Bahun women reflects the broader Khas-Arya hill culture of Nepal. Unlike Bahun men's clothing, which is shared with other Khas groups, women's traditional attire varies by region. It fundamentally centers around the Fariya (a sari-like draped lower cloth), paired with a tailored long- or short-sleeved blouse known as a Cholo. Regional styles include the Fariya cholo, consisting of a fariya and cholo, and the Chaubandi cholo, a wrap-style blouse fastened with ties around the body, is another traditional style of cholo. The Cholo is traditionally worn in colours such as red or black and is paired with a Patuka, similar to that worn by men, which women traditionally used as a pocket. Bahun women adorn themselves with a rich assortment of traditional gold and silver ornaments, including:

• Head and Hair: Shirbandi, Shirful, Laccha Dori, etc.
• Ear and Nose: Marbadi, Bulaki, Cheptesun, Kan Dhungri, Yarling, Fulee, etc.
• Necklaces and Beads: Tilhari, Pote, Naugedi, Jantar Mala, Tik Mala, Muga Mala, Company Mala, etc.
• Wrist and Hand: Chura, Aauthi, etc.

Married Bahun women, particularly Hindus, traditionally wear Sindoor. While modern and Western-style clothing has become common for everyday wear, particularly in urban areas, traditional Bahun garments remain widely worn and important during festivals and other cultural occasions.

Food

The traditional staple diet of Bahuns is based on the typical Nepalese meal, which developed from Dhindo to Dal bhat. Dal Bhat consists of lentil soup, boiled rice, curried vegetables, meat, and often accompanied by spicy pickle. According to the Muluki Ain of 1854, the first civil code of Nepal, Bahun, along with Chhetris and Thakuris, were classified among the higher-status Aryan groups and were prohibited from consuming alcohol, while groups that traditionally consumed alcohol were classified as lower-status Matwali groups. Unlike most Brahmin communities elsewhere in South Asia that traditionally practice vegetarianism, Khas Brahmins have historically sacrificed and consumed animals for food and as offerings to their clan Masto deities. Bahuns, along with Chhetris and Thakuris, traditionally avoided the killing and consumption of cows and pigs because of Hindu religious and cultural beliefs. The killing of cows and the trade and consumption of cow meat are also prohibited by law in Nepal, where the cow is also recognized as the national animal.

Dairy products have traditionally been important in both daily diets and religious practices. Milk, yogurt, buttermilk, and clarified butter are commonly consumed, with clarified butter regarded as especially pure and used in religious rituals. During festivals, ceremonies, and other special occasions, traditional foods such as Sel roti and kheer are also commonly prepared and consumed.

Literature

The Khas Brahmins have made major contributions to Nepalese literature, particularly in Sanskrit and Nepali scholarship, poetry, fiction, drama, history, literary criticism, journalism, translation, and language studies. Historically, Khas Brahmin scholars preserved and studied Sanskrit texts, including the Vedas, Upanishads, Puranas, epics, Dharmashastras, grammar, philosophy, and religious literature. Their scholarship also contributed to the development of Nepali as a literary and educational language.

Among the major Bahun figures in Nepalese literature are Bhanubhakta Acharya, known as Adikavi ("first poet") of Nepal, who is most famous for translating the Ramayana from Sanskrit to Nepali; Motiram Bhatta, known as Yuva Kavi ("youth poet") who helped establish modern Nepali literary culture terary criticism; Lekhnath Paudyal, known as Kavi Shiromani ("Crown jewel among poets"), a major classical-modern poet; Laxmi Prasad Devkota, known as Mahakavi ("great poet"), one of Nepal's most influential who was also the Education Minister during the Rana regime, and Madhav Prasad Ghimire, known as Rashtrakavi ("national poet"). Gopal Prasad Rimal, known as the first revolutionary Nepali poet. Bhim Nidhi Tiwari contributed to poetry, drama, and fiction, and Guru Prasad Mainali became one of the leading pioneers of the modern Nepali short story. Rudra Raj Pande contributed to the development of the Nepali novel, while B. P. Koirala, Nepal's first democratically elected prime minister, introduced psychological themes into Nepali literary.

Women writers also made important contributions. Ambalika Devi is honored as Nepal's first female novelist, while Yogmaya Neupane produced poetry and religious-social writings. Later Khas Brahmin women writers like Lok Priya Devi further expanded women's participation in Nepali literary.

Scholarship and education

Khas Brahmin scholars have also contributed to Nepalese scholarship, linguistics, literary scholarship, and education. Ambika Prasad Upadhyaya, known as the first histroian to write on the History of Nepal in Nepali language, while Baburam Acharya, known as Itihas Shiromani ("crown jewel among historians") made major contributions to the study and documentation of Nepal's history. Acharya also helped popularized Sagarmatha, Nepali name for Mount Everest through his documentation of Nepal' histroy. Chakrapani Chalise, who wrote the first national anthem of Nepal. Surya Bikram Gyawali, Bal Krishna Pokharel, Mahananda Sapkota, and other scholars contributed to literary criticism, linguistics, lexicography, and the study of Nepali language.

Other notable Bahun literary figures include Dharanidhar Koirala, Somnath Sigdel, Bhairav Aryal, Madan Mani Dixit, Madan Mohan Mishra, Taranath Sharma, Shankar Lamichhane, Krishna Dharabasi, Amar Neupane, Subin Bhattarai, and so on. Lists of Bahuns in languages of Nepal include the largest number of poets, novelists, essayists, historians, critics, and linguists in Nepal.

Through these writers and scholars, Khas Brahmins have contributed to the development of Nepali language and linguistics, literary, education, histroy writing, Sanskrit scholarship, and the preservation of Nepal's literary and cultural traditions. Their works have received major national literary awards, including the most number of Madan Puraskar, the most prestigious literary award in Nepal.