Sisneri Poudel Introduction (पौडेल थर र सिस्नेरीका पौडेल)

Overview

‘Poudel (Paudel/Paudyal)’ is among the largest Nepali surnames. Historically, Poudels served as Rajguru (royal preceptors), scholars, and soldiers across the twenty‑four Khas principalities.

Origin & Etymology

Before Poudel, we were all 'Bhatts'. It is only in the twelfth century or later that we became 'Poudels' from Shridev, the son of Shrivatsaraj. Since Shrivatsaraj was a resident of 'Paudi Garhwal', his lineage came to be called Paudayalaya (= Paudi+Aalay i.e. Paudi resident). Over time, the Poudayal and Poudel surnames were corrupted from Paudayalaya. It is also said that the migration to Nepal was later, probably during the thirteenth century during the time of Sultan Allauddin Khijli of Delhi, and it is also said that Nanda Ram Bhatta or Krishna Ram came to live in Paudi of Doti from "Garhwal Paudi". It's unknown if the name of the new place (in present-day Nepal) got changed from the name of the old place of Paudi, or derived from the similar words in the Kumaon and Sinjali languages independently.

Migration & Settlements

It is said that the Poudels came from Garhwal and settled in various places, passing through Doti, Jumla, Jajarkot Khas area, and Lahachowk. It is also mentioned somewhere that the Poudels of Sisneri came from Duradanda in Lamjung during the recent migration.

The Poudels who migrated in this way came to live in Lamatar, Sisneri in Lalitpur district. It is said that the original ancestor of Sisneri, Gopal, performed a Putreshti Yagya and received a blessing from King Siddhinarsingh Malla for the birth of a son and settled in Sisneri. Since Prince Srinivas was born in 1627 AD, so assuming it must be ~1625 AD

Deity Workship & Tradition

The descendants of Gopal have been performing Devali (Devali) in Sisneri since 1734 BS. It seems that the Poudels who came here later dispersed and settled in Dhapakhel, Tekar Sisneri near Makwanpur, Chabahil, Baneshwor, Koteshwor, Chasidol in Lalitpur, Lamatar, Thulaghar, Dolakha, and Kavre. These Poudels worship Lukdevata and perform Devali in this Lamatar Sisneri.

The Poudels living in Lamatar have a tradition of performing Devali after a year. This year, both festivals have fallen in 2082 BS. It is customary to worship Lukdevata in the month of Bhadra, about 4 months before the year of Devali (Devali). Poudel Puret of Dhapakhel and Poudel of Chasidol are the hosts for the Shraddha and Havan. There is a tradition of performing Shraddha, Puja and Havan by installing a four-hundred-year-old Masto under a Khari tree near Baiseri in Sisneri. Since no one should see the Masto, there is a tradition of bringing it secretly and worshipping it, and after the worship is over, it is hidden and kept in a tank. Since this tradition of worshipping it secretly is also called the Puja of the Hidden God. The interesting part of this festival is that it is believed that taking any item offered here home will be inauspicious. Therefore, there is a tradition of leaving everything that is brought there and if there is excess, it is buried there and returning home. Earlier, our ancestors used to bury the offerings they had made there. Now, the offerings are being collected and used in the worship and venue management.

Another aspect of the Lokdevata festival is that only the families of Upadhyaya Brahmins are allowed to attend. Even daughters and sisters who have married and gone are not allowed to attend because their caste has changed. If a Upadhyaya Brahmin marries someone from another caste, even if he is the son of the Upadhyaya, he is not allowed to attend. Since it is a custom that if they go, it will affect their children, even Upadhyaya Poudel, who usually marries someone from another caste, does not go there even if no one stops him. There is another interesting aspect of the Lokdevata festival. Since it is believed that it is inauspicious to go home wearing the prasad and tikas placed there, there is a tradition of going home after completing all the work by going to a nearby stream and wiping the tika and tilak applied to the forehead.

Thus, there is a tradition of performing Devali on the Dhanya Purnima day of Mangsir, which comes 4 months after the worship of the god Lukdev. In this, we Poudels have a tradition of giving a goat to the poor. There is also a tradition of setting up a musto and worshiping it. There is also a tradition of cutting the first goat, which is black. There is a tradition that any Poudel can go on the day of Devali (Devbali). In this, some of the daughters who have changed their gotra after marriage, as well as some of the Istamitras, go along. The worship is done all day long and after the worship is over, there is a goat slaughtering program and in the meantime, prasad including kheer, fruits, coconuts are also distributed.

Thus, while the people moved, they separated into black and white Poudels, even though they were of the same gotra. We Poudels who perform Kulpuja and Devali in Lamatar are black Poudels. Although there are some white Poudels here too, they perform Kulpuja separately. It is said that Poudels are scattered in every district of Nepal in the process of migration. The Poudel Clan Federation has presented statistics that there are two million Poudels in Nepal. No matter where we Poudels live, we perform Kulpuja according to our place, but we are descendants of Atreya Rishi. We all belong to the Atreya gotra. Poudel, Pani Pokharel, Sigdel, Dulal, Aryal, Bagale Thapas are also all from the Atreya gotra.

No matter where we live, we worship Dare Masto and Barah Masto. We also worship Dattatreya as our clan deity.