What is guthi?
The word `guthi’ is a derivation of the Sanskrit word gosthi which means an association. In Newari society guthi is a way of life which is both social and religious in nature.
Guthi dates back to Lichhavi period. The guthis are run from the proceeds from land that each guthi owns but in present times it is more common for rental incomes and other assets and proceeds from bank interests to fund guthi activities.
There are several kinds of guthi but the main is the Degu Puja guthi (Lineage guthi), which centres around one deity that is worshipped by on sets of guthihars (family members who are closely blood related) and the other is the si guthi which is the death guthi where guthihars are responsible for the duties at the funeral and care of the member’s families during their bereavement period.
The guthihars organise the various pujas and feasts throughout year in rotation(pahlanpah). At any of the pujas the most desired parts of the sacrifice is then divided and distributed to guthihars in order of the hierarchy, the senior most thakuli getting parts from the head.
When the expenses for an occasion is insufficient from funds available the rotational guthihar who is responsible has the authority to raise contributions laphan to finance the bhoye( feast).
Women are not members of the guthi but play a prominent role in the religious aspect as well as the catering side of these events and they are referred to as the counterpart of the senior (thakuli nakin) and so on.
Attendance at guthi is compulsory, especially si guthi and those that skip are levied a fine called ban.
Guthi is stands for the welfare and communal prosperity of its members.
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