Rana Tharu celebrating Hori with fanfare in Sudurpaschim

By Our Correspondent,Dhangadhi, Mar. 9: Youth wearing traditional attires were dancing with the rhythm. People were gathered at Bhalamansa's house to watch their dance. 

Sitting on cots and floors, the villagers were enjoying the Hori dance.  That was the atmosphere seen during the Hori festival of the Rana Tharu community.

Hori dance performed on the occasion of Hori festival has added excitement to Rana Tharu people residing in Kailali, Kanchanpur. After burning the Chir (pole) of Holi, the people have reached the stage of celebrating the festival of 'Mari Hori', meaning dead Hori.

The Hori festival will be concluded after breaking 'Khakhdehara', said Bhalmansa Bhajji Rana, a resident of Dhangadhi Sub-metropolitan city-8, Dhangadhi village.

According to Bhalmansa Rana, during Mari Hori, it is customary to go to other people's houses and perform Hori dance throughout the afternoon. 

The biggest festival of the community is celebrated for one month and eight days starting from Magha Purnima.

During this period, it is customary to invite relatives and friends to their homes and have a feast together.  

Khakhdehara is the most important day of the festival, and it is broken on the last day, when the government of Sudurpashchim Province has also given a public holiday. 

Narayan Rana, an expert on Rana Tharu culture, said that although Hori festival officially ends after Khakhdehara, Hori is played informally until 'Charai' festival.

The community dwelling in the province number around 300,000. Due to their distinct culture and customs, this community was separated from the Tharu by the government and listed as a separate ethnic group only a few years ago.