Dhime Baja

धिमे बाजा नेवार समुदायको महत्वपूर्ण परम्परागत बाजा हो र सूर्यविनायक नगरपालिका, भक्तपुरमा यसको विशेष सांस्कृतिक महत्व रहेको छ। यसको व्यास ४०–५१ इन्च र लम्बाइ १७–२१ इन्चसम्म हुन्छ।

यसको खोल काठ वा धातुबाट बनाइन्छ। पुराना धिमेहरू प्राकृतिक काठको आकार अनुसार अनियमित देखिन्थे भने आधुनिक धिमेहरू बेलनाकार वा हल्का ड्रम आकारका हुन्छन्। दुवै पट्टि बाख्राको छालाबाट बनेका हुन्छन्। बायाँ पट्टिको भित्री भाग (मन्खः/हाइमा) मा रातो लेदो लगाइन्छ जसले गहिरो ध्वनि निकाल्छ।

धिमेका दुई प्रकार हुन्छन्:

• ढाचा  धिमे (सानो)
• मा धिमे (ठूलो)

स्थानीय किम्बदन्ती अनुसार धिमे बाजाको आविष्कार भगवान महादेवले गर्नुभएको हो। यो बाजा किरातकालदेखि बजाइँदै आएको मानिन्छ। परम्परागत रूपमा ज्यापु समुदायले बजाउने गरे पनि अहिले सबै समुदायले बजाउँछन्।

धिमे बाजा बजाइने प्रमुख स्थानहरू (Suryabinayak Municipality) 

• सूर्यविनायक गणेश मन्दिर क्षेत्र 

  ठूला पूजा, गणेश चतुर्थी तथा विशेष धार्मिक कार्यक्रमहरूमा। 

• आशापुरी महादेव मन्दिर, सिपाडोल 

  शिवरात्रि, तीज तथा स्थानीय जात्राहरूमा।

•  सिपाडोल क्षेत्रका टोल–टोलका जात्रा स्थलहरू 

  विशेष गरी नेपाल संवत् नयाँ वर्ष (भिन्तुना), इन्द्रजात्रा, गाईजात्रा जस्ता अवसरमा।

•  बालकोट क्षेत्र 

   स्थानीय देवताका पूजा, टोल जात्रा र सांस्कृतिक कार्यक्रममा।

•  दधिकोट क्षेत्र 

  परम्परागत नेवारी समुदायका धार्मिक अनुष्ठान र जात्राहरूमा। 

• गुण्डु क्षेत्र

  टोल पूजा, पाःचरे, गुंला तथा येँला महिनाका धार्मिक कार्यक्रमहरूमा।

धिमे बाजा इन्द्रजात्रा, बिस्केट जात्रा, नेपाल संवत् नयाँ वर्ष (भिन्तुना), गाईजात्रा, गणेश पूजा, कृष्ण पूजा तथा वार्डस्तरीय सांस्कृतिक कार्यक्रमहरूमा बजाइन्छ।

Dhime Baja is one of the most important traditional drums of the Newar community and holds strong cultural significance in Suryabinayak Municipality, Bhaktapur. The drum is larger compared to other Newar drums, measuring 40–51 inches in diameter and 17–21 inches in length.

The drum shell is made of wood or metal. Traditional Dhimay drums were shaped according to the natural form of the tree trunk, resulting in irregular shapes. Modern versions are cylindrical or slightly barrel-shaped. Both sides are covered with goat skin. On the inside of the left membrane, known as Mankhah (called Haima in Bhaktapur), a red tuning paste similar to Syahi is applied to produce a deep resonant sound.

There are two types of Dhimay:

• Dhaacha Dhimay (smaller size)
• Ma Dhimay (larger size)

According to local legends, the instrument was invented by Lord Mahadev (Shiva) and has been played since the Kirata period. Traditionally played by the Jyapu (Newar farming community), today it is performed by people from various communities.

Performance in Suryabinayak Municipality:

In Suryabinayak, Dhime Baja is commonly played at:

• Suryabinayak Ganesh Temple Area 
  Played during major religious ceremonies, Ganesh Chaturthi, and special temple rituals.
• Ashapuri Mahadev Temple, Sipadol 
  Performed during Shivaratri, Teej, and local religious festivals (Jatras).
• Community Jatra Routes and Courtyards of Sipadol Area
  Especially during Nepal Sambat New Year (Bhintuna), Indra Jatra, Gai Jatra, and other traditional celebrations.
• Balkot Area 
  Played during local deity worship ceremonies, community Jatras, and cultural programs.
• Dadhikot Area 
  Performed during traditional Newar religious rituals and festivals.
• Gundu Area 
  Played during community worship events, Paha Chare, Gunla, Yela month rituals, and other religious occasions.

It is performed during major festivals such as Indra Jatra, Bisket Jatra, Nepal Sambat New Year (Bhintuna), Gai Jatra, Ganesh Puja, Krishna Puja, and ward-level cultural celebrations.

Dhimay is usually played in ensembles called Dhimaybaja, accompanied by cymbals like Bhuchhyay and Sichhyay, and sometimes Tai-nai (gong-like instrument). In modern times, it is also used in fusion music performances.