Karnali’s longest jatra concludes

By Netra Shahi,Jumla, Aug, 29: The longest Jatra of Karnali, held every year in Jumla, concluded after symbolically killing the Lakhe (demon) and organising a chariot procession in the presence of a large crowd of devotees in Khalanga, the district headquarters of Jumla, on Tuesday. 

According to Ashok Shrestha,  chairman of the Jatra Organising Committee, the Jatra, which begins on the day of Pratipada (the first day of the lunar fortnight), concludes on the day of Navami (the ninth day) after killing the Lakhe. 

Jumla has a tradition of performing the Lakhe dance and playing Deuda (a traditional dance form) from the day of  Gathe Mangal (Ghantakarna festival). This cultural tradition is believed to have originated during the Malla era. He claimed that this year's Jatra was better than last year's. The practice of marking the Jatra has begun in the district since 1896, he added.

Raj Singh Kathayat, Mayor of Chandannath Municipality, said that they were planning to organise the Jatra at the local stadium next year. He said that since the number of people attending the annual jatra from Jumla and neighbouring districts like Jajarkot, Kalikot, Mugu and Dolpa is increasing, a larger venue has been arranged.

According to Chitra Lal Shrestha, an expert on Newar culture, the Jatra provides entertainment and relief to the general public of Karnali and the Himalayan districts, who have worked hard throughout the year. 

“It also helps preserve the culture,” he added. 

This year too, a large number of people from rural areas of Jumla came to the district headquarters to observe the Jatra, he said. 

The District Administration Office, the Nepali Army, and the Nepal Police actively participated in the Jatra, contributing to the preservation of the culture.

A tradition has been that the Nepali Army and Nepal Police welcome Asha Gurja and Balgopal and offer a salute to Shri Krishna after the Lakhe dance. The Jatra is considered complete only after holding a long chariot procession with a military parade.

According to local Bishnu Prasad Upadhyaya, on the final day, there is a tradition of offering materials brought from Badimalika to the Chandannath Temple by combining the government chariot and the chariot made by the citizens, killing Lakhe and offering a salute.

This year's Jatra also featured celebrations throughout the night with the birth of Krishna at midnight on Krishna Ashthami and the playing of Deuda. 

With people coming to attend the Jumla from Dolpa, Mugu, Dailekh, Kalikot, Jajarkot, Surkhet, and Rukum districts to watch the nearly week-long Jatra, the district headquarters Khalanga looked overcrowded.

According to sources, the Jatra is formally concluded after killing the Lakhe  and taking out a rally, symbolising the victory of truth over falsehood, with Krishna, slaying his uncle Kansa (Lakhe) at around 5 pm, followed by a victory rally at the district headquarters. Thousands of people came to watch the Jatra on the last day on Tuesday.