By Bhot Raj Rai
Udayapur, Jan. 21: A pond has been constructed in the shape of a bottle gourd at Sakelathan in Sakelatol, Triyuga Municipality-11, Udayapur.
The Kirat-Rai community there has named the pond “Chindopokhari.
Called Chindo in Nepali and Wabu in Rai Chamling language, a bottle gourd carries a cultural significance in the community. Thus the Chindopokhari has been constructed at the cultural site where Sakela is marked by the Rais of the district.

Every year, a grand Sakela competition is held during Ubouli (Sakela) festival in Skelathan wherein various groups of Sakela revelers from all over Province 1 and even from Kathmandu come together to mark the annual festival.
The pond, the first in the country, has been constructed to make the area a centre of attraction. “Chindos have deep cultural significance for the Kirat-Rai community,” said linguist Kailash Rai, adding, “Keeping this in mind, Chindopokhari has been constructed here.”

According to Bimal Kirati, former chairman of Kirat Rai Yayokha, Udayapur, groups of Sakela celebrants have been coming to the festival carrying small and large artificial bottle gourds, and from that the idea of making the Chindopokhari came into being.
It has also been constructed for the promotion of Chindo which carries our cultural identity and spirit, he added.

Chindo is a type of fruit that is not edible but compulsory to have one during the cultural activities. It is essential in important functions like marriage, family worship and Sakela. Ginger and homemade alcoholic beverages are kept in the Chindo-shaped bottle which is considered holy.

Chindo is disappearing from the Rai community. It used to be grown in abundance in the countryside in the past but is rarely seen these days. It is not even available in the city markets. In some places, glass bottles of beer and plastic bottles like Pepsi are used in its place due to unavailability.

“A Chindo-shaped bottle is not as important as a real chindo fruit,” said elderly Jitman. “It is better to use real Chindo in place of a bottle by preserving the Chindo creepers,” he added.
Quite wide and protected by an iron fence, the pond is built exactly in the shape of the fruit from south to north.
Virtually all those reaching the pond take photos and selfies. Fishes have also been released there, adding beauty to it.

The pond, which is under the protection of Kirat Rai Yayokha Triyuga Municipal Committee, was built with the support of the Ministry of Culture, Triyuga Municipality and individuals. Along with the pond, a pillar has been erected for the separate construction of Sumnima and Paruhang. Another pillar has also been erected to place a large Chindo between the two idols. The committee has a plan to keep the idols of Sumnima, Paruhang and Chindo on the cement pillars within this year.

Along with this, Sakelathan has been given a form of Sakela Park. A house Machhama (Tinchula), place to perform worship, a stage to show cultural shows and a seminar hall have also been built.
With the rise of cultural consciousness in the community, the establishment of a cultural place has been successful as a result of years of collective efforts, initiatives and steps, said locals.
Considering Sakelathan as a cultural as well as a religious place, people have planted Banyan and Pipal trees and built resting places.

In the name of the relatives and guardians of the deceased, the family members have been constructing a Chautari at their own expenses.
Pond constructed in the shape of a bottle gourd, Chindopokhari, at Sakelathan in Sakelatol, Triyuga Municipality-11, Udayapur.