Tapshiva

While strolling through Pibra Purba, a VDC in the Saptari District of Nepal, my friend and I stumbled upon a beautiful pond. Nearby men women and children sat under a tree for shade in the heat of the day. We decided to walk closer to the pond to take a picture. We stood there admiring it when all of a sudden a woman came out of her house shouting in Nepali at my friend! Upon her request, he jumped off the rock he was standing on. I had a feeling I knew what was going on. I have unintentionally stood on things that are holy or places of worship without being aware of what I was doing. He turned to me and said, “Oh! All of this is holy,” pointing to the pond and the rocks surrounding it.

I had so many questions. This just appeared to be a normal pond.

We approached the tree where the villagers sat and we asked them why the pond was holy. They told us that 40 years ago someone placed an empty bucket on top of the water of this very pond, and the bucket sank. Therefore, they believe the pond is holy and there is a god inhabiting it. The god’s name is Tapshiva. I learned throughout the day that Tapshiva is only worshipped in this village in Nepal. I asked if they gave offerings or sacrifices to Tapshiva. They told us that they offer fruits and vegetables by tossing them in the water. In between the tree and the pond was a large pile of stones. The men said they have been collecting these stones in hopes that the government will give funding to build a temple to Tapshiva.

It was such a cool and unique experience to listen to these men and women speak about Tapshiva, a god I had never heard of. I felt honored to get a sneak peek into their lives and witness the devotion they have to the god they worship.