Culture of offering Shagun

Nihira Bajracharya, Kumari of Patan, the ‘Living Goddess’ receiving the sagun during Kumari puja organized by the HYUMAT- ह्यूमत: मिसा पूच: at Shree Padmavati Mahavihar (Na Bahal). Shagun basically means good luck. It is given in different occasions most prominent in Newari culture to symbolize a healthy time. It is a normal practice in various religious and cultural rituals. A balance between five elements, earth, fire, wind, water and sky or space is regarded integral for human safety and prosperity. Shagun is given to make sure there is balance between these elements, which is integral for the happiness and safety of the one who is leaving. Items symbolizing these elements in different ways, namely, egg, fish, alcohol, water and fire are all present as a part of this ritual, creating the balance that we talked about.