Palanquin culture vanishes in Bajura after villages linked with road network

By Our Correspondent,Bajura, Jan. 28: In recent times, the traditional palanquin (doli) has been vanishing from many weddings in Bajura. 

Bharuni Nepali, a resident of Khaptad Chededah Rural Municipality, said, "The iconic doli that was used to carry the brides have almost vanished as almost every village is linked with the road network."

"Earlier during the wedding the bride's family would prepare a doli to carry the bride to her new home, but slowly the tradition of carrying the bride in a doli has died away. 

The persons carrying the palanquin lost their traditional jobs after the traditional palanquins were replaced by cars. 

With the advent of roads in the village, he mentioned that they opted for a more modern approach when his son got married, bringing the daughter-in-law in a car. The beautiful tradition of carrying the bride in a palanquin too faded away.

Before 2009, many villages in Bajura used doli and horses in wedding ceremonies. However, post-2019, as villages gained road access, most villages and hamlets in Jagannath, Swamikartik, Budhinanda, Gaumul Badimalika, Budhiganga Triveni, and Khaptad Chededah Rural Municipality in Bajura have become accessible through road networks.

This widespread accessibility to road networks has led to the diminishing presence of dolis in Bajura, as modern conveniences, particularly cars, are becoming increasingly favoured during weddings, despite the cherished tradition of the doli being considered the best.