Municipality allocates budget for charkha ping

BY HOMRAJ RANABHAT, Nawalparasi, Oct. 20:Dashain is one of the major festivals for Nepalis. In the past, traditional bamboo swings called "linge ping," hand-operated wooden Ferris wheels known as "charkhe ping," and flying kites were the main attractions during Dashain. However, with the change in time and the adoption of a modern lifestyle, people have left behind these traditional ways of celebrating festivals.

This year, Baudikali Rural Municipality in Nawalparasi has allocated budget for preserving the traditional attractions of Dashain. 

Lal Bahadur Khadka, local of Machedi in Ward No. 1, is excited as his decad-long wish to ride charkhe ping is finally going to be fulfilled this year. He recalled that the people used to set up and ride charkhe ping during Dashain and Tihar in the past. He said it had been 10 years since he last rode the charkhe ping. 

He said, "In recent days, youths are more inclined towards modern forms of entertainment rather than traditional linge ping and charkhe ping. They prefer getting together with friends and families in one place and have a good time.  This shift in lifestyle has led to a reduction in the importance of such traditional practices in our society." 

Baudikali Rural Municipality chairman Prakash Ojha said about a decade ago charkhe ping and linge ping used to be set up in every community during festival times. Stating that such traditions were declining from the society, he said that the rural municipality had taken initiatives for the preservation of such traditions by allocating budget.

Similarly, Tolnath Bhandel of Mithukaram also expressed his happiness over seeing charkhe ping in the village. He said, "We have been wanting to ride charkhe ping for a long time, but due to the lack of these swings, we couldn't. However, this year, with the rural municipality's initiative, we are happy to see such things in the village."

Chairman Ojha said that charkhe ping requires good quality wood and lots of efforts, making it expensive. In the past, villagers used to set up such pings without financial assistance from the rural municipality, but now this practice has become rare. He said that the rural municipality had decided to set up charkhe ping since deserted villages get crowded during the festive season.

According to the Hindu scriptures, it is believed that human beings must leave the ground once in a year and pings serve as one of the mediums. To preserve these religious values, the rural municipality has taken these initiatives.