Udhauli Parva Greetings

By A Staff Reporter, Kathmandu, Dec. 8: President Bidya Devi Bhandari has extended her best wishes to Nepalis living in the country and abroad on the occasion of Udhauli Parva.

The Kirant community of Nepal, who live in harmony with nature, celebrate Udhauli for 15 days every year in the winter season, a statement issued by President Bhandari stated.

On the occasion, Bhandari also expressed confidence that the festival would promote tolerance, harmony and fraternity in the country and hoped it would strengthen national unity.

Meanwhile, our Urlabari correspondent adds that a cultural programme is being organised this week at Aambari, Urlabari Municipality–9, Morang, to celebrate the great festival called Chasok Tangnam by the Limbu community of the east. 

According to the Urlabari branch of the Kirant Yakthung Chumlung (KYC), which is organising the programme, the fair will be held from Thursday to Saturday and will include various events showcasing Limbu culture. 

KYC Urlabari chairperson Banu Subba informed that the organisers would perform the traditional Nwagi Puja at the programme and distribute the Prasad to the visitors. Similarly, she said that folk dances like the Kelang Chyabrung, Yewa Lang, Manglak and Dhan Naach would be staged.

Similarly, games and competitions based on Limbu culture, rope pulling, high jump, and long jump will be held, Subba shared. 

“Thanks to modernisation and changing lifestyle, the new generation is losing touch with our culture and tradition. That is why KYC is organising the Chasok Tangnam celebration,” she said.

Local Prakash Kandangwa said that Chasok Tangnam is an occasion to offer freshly harvested rice to the patron deity Tagera Ningwaphumang and enjoy it with the family. It is also a festival for young men and women to socialise while playing the Chyabrung, singing the Palam tune and dancing the Dhan Naach. 

Limbu elders consider this festival as a symbol of social unity and harmony. 

It is an occasion when the nature-worshipping Limbu community do exactly that – worship nature.

Chasok Tangnam is an ancient festival that is believed to have started when the Limbus first adopted agriculture. It is celebrated on the full moon day of the Nepali month of Mangsir, which, this year, falls on Thursday.

Chasok, or Udhauli, as it is also known, is celebrated during the Udhauli season when the sun is on the southern hemisphere. It is also called the Nwagi Festival when the Nwagi Puja is performed by offering new crops to the tribal deity.