Samachakewa festival grips Terai

BY SHIVASHANKAR MISHRA

Bara, Nov. 2: Samachakewa festival has begun with much fanfare in the Madhesi and Tharu villages of the central Terai. The festival is marked as a symbol of love between brothers and sisters. 

Enthusiasm of festival has already gripped Bara, Parsa, Rautahat and other districts. 

The festival that has formally begun since the day of Bhai Tika will continue till the day of Kartik Purnima (full moon). 

Sisters make idols of different kinds and shapes including Samachakhewa, birds and forests. They sing folk songs and play Samachakewa in groups. 

Unmarried girls of the Madhesi and Tharu communities have started playing Samachakewa in group since the day of Bhai Tika and they will continue to play it till the day of Kartik Purnima. 

The festival is observed in the rural areas of the district as a symbol of love between brothers and sisters wishing for the longevity of their brothers, said Kosila Devi of Kariyamai Rural Municipality-7.  

According to a popular legend, Sama, a daughter of Lord Krishna, was falsely accused of having romance with a sage in the jungle of Brindaban, and Krishna punished her by turning her and all sages of the forest into birds. But with much love and sacrifice of her brother Samba eventually succeeded to bring her and the sages in human form.  

The festival celebrated for 15 days. The young girls gather in groups in the night and worship the mud-made idols, and sing.  On the last day of the festival, they break all these idols singing the traditional song.  

On the auspicious occasion of Kartik Purnima, girls take bath in the  rivers and immerse the idols of Samachakewa and others in the river.