Sawanaka Dola festival begins with fanfare

By Our Correspondent  Dhanagadhi, July 20: Sawanka Dola, a festival which is celebrated in the Rana Tharu community living in Kailali and Kanchanpur of Sudurpaschim Province has begun with much exhilaration.

The activity of Sawanka Dola, which is celebrated as a festival throughout the Nepali month of Shrawan in both the districts, started with the beginning of the month. The festival of playing ping (swing) and having fun in the month of Shrawan is called Sawanka Dola. 

To celebrate this festival, Dolas are erected in different villages to relish the festival. 

According to the leaders of the Rana Tharu community, the Dola is placed in a public place so that everyone can have their access to it. Women dressed in their traditional costumes enjoy playing the Dola collectively.

 Sunita Rana of Pachalapatti village in Dhangadhi Sub Metropolitan City-8 said that traditional songs are also sung during this time. 

According to Malamati Rana Tharu of Dhangadhi -8, who is also a member of the Province Assembly, swings are erected in different villages to celebrate the festival.

The festival will be continuing until the end of Shrawan. Especially on Teej festival, after making a 'muria' (knot of rope used in the swing) and immersing it in the river, the festival concludes formally. 

The Rana Tharu community, which has been celebrating the Hori festival for a month, also celebrates this festival for about a month. Teej is the biggest festival of this community. Sunita said that especially during Teej, women enjoy playing Sawanka Dola in groups.

It is customary for women to fast on Teej. It is said that women fast on Teej to wish their brothers and sisters a long life.

 After the fast is over, it is customary to eat traditional dishes such as Gulgula, Simahi, Puri and feed it to the relatives. In this festival, brothers give gifts to their sisters.

Narayan Rana, a youth leader of the Rana Tharu community, said that although it is the responsibility of the Rana Tharu community to protect and revive their culture, it is also necessary to control the violence that is being done in the name of culture.