Kartikeshwor Kunwar Festival begins in Rautahat

By Yadav Raj Puri,Rautahat, Nov. 30: Kartikeshwor Kunwar Festival, considered the major festival in Rautahat district, has started in Chandrapur Municipality-8 Santapur with much fanfare on Wednesday. 

With the aim of preserving the traditions and folk culture of the indigenous Tharu community, the festival has been held for the past 45 years on the occasion of the Sama Chakewa festival.

Every year,  Kartikeshwor Kunwar Festival starts the day after the full moon of the Sama Chakewa festival, which is celebrated by Tharu women wishing for the long life of their brothers.

The festival highlights an exhibition of Tharu dishes and other Tharu items reflecting Tharu culture.

 According to Ward Chairman Jitendra Chaudhary, traders come from different parts of Nepal and even India to do business in the fair where locally produced vegetables, food items, clothes, and other daily consumables are available at cheap prices.

Following the paddy harvest, communities from neighbouring Indian states, such as Bihar, along with residents from Parsa, Bara, Rautahat, Sarlahi and Saptari districts in the Tarai region of Nepal gather at the fair organised by the Tharu community in Santapur to unwind and enjoy themselves.

The seven-day festival was inaugurated on Tuesday by Sanjay Kumar Kafle, Mayor of Chandrapur Municipality, after worshipping Kartikeshwor Kunwar.

Coordinator of the entertainment committee Pramod Kumar Chaudhary said that the fair’s entertainment lineup will include Roteping, a tower swing, horse swing, magic shows, diverse games for children, and a live orchestra from West Champaran, India. 

Additionally, an open dance competition is planned to showcase local talent.

According to the organising committee, around 500,000 people will come to the fair throughout its duration.

 Ek Narayan Koirala, Deputy Superintendent of Police of the Area Police Office Chandranigahpur, informed that security arrangements have been tightened to ensure that no untoward incidents take place during the fair.