Nepal, Aug. 9 -- At 5:45 am, the sounds of neku, dhaa baja, nayakhin, taa, bhusya, danga, jhyali, dabadaba reverberate in the periphery of Swayambhunath, one of the most revered Buddhist stupas in Kathmandu. People from the Newar community, young and old, are seen circling the hilltop while playing traditional Newar instruments. The early mornings of monsoon every year imbue a surreal mood with the stirring and compelling Gunla baja.

With the month of Gunla ongoing, a holy month for Buddhist Newars, Swayambhu is filled with throngs of people from different Newar communities keeping at its traditions of prayers and music. While the elders circle the Swayambhu reading tutah, Buddhist prayers, the younger ones-many clad in singular coloured...