Ubhauli Sakela performed in Bhedetar

By Our Correspondent,Bhedetar, June 13: Kirat community has organised a cultural programme on the occasion of their festival Ubhauli Sakela at Bhedetar in Dhankuta district. 

The Kirat Rai Yayokkh Samiti, Sangurigadhi arranged various cultural events to celebrate the Ubhauli festival. 

During the celebration in Bhedetar, located in Sangurigadhi Rural Municipality-6 of Dhankuta, Kirat communities presented ‘Jhanki’, showcasing various aspects of their art and culture.

Inaugurating the cultural programme, former minister Sudan Kirati said that Bhedetar should be developed as a multicultural centre for tourism. 

He added that if a multicultural centre were established, Bhedetar would be an ideal place to celebrate festivals such as ‘Chosok Tangna’, ‘Bhumi Puja’, ‘Hurra Dance’, and ‘Loshar’.

It is customary to celebrate Ubhauli by dancing Sakela for a month starting from Baisakh Purnima. 

According to Mundhum, a religious book of the Kirat, time is classified into two parts ‘Udhauli’ and ‘Ubhauli’.

The Kirat community divides these periods based on the farming cycle. 

The Ubhauli festival is celebrated during Nepali months Baisakh or Jeth when crops are planted, while the ‘Udhauli’ festival is observed in the Nepali months like Mangsir or Push when the crops are harvested.

At the cultural programme, members of the Kirat community, dressed in traditional costumes, presented Sakela and Chandi dances, reflecting their rich art and culture.