Jhyamte fair held in Karphok

BY PREM ADHIKARI,Ilam, Dec. 16: Jhyamte Mela, a fair which is held annually at a hilltop called Purne Danda in Karphok, Suryodaya Municipaity-11, Ilam, began on Sunday. The fair takes place twice every year on the days of the Mangsir Purnima and Baisakh Purnima.

The fair associated with Rai culture began after the establishment of the headquarters at Purne Danda to entertain the newly introduced position of ‘Badahakim’ after the Sugauli Treaty of 1816. The Rai community's cultural Sakela dance, performed to entertain the Badahakim, was much appreciated by the audience gathered from both Nepal and India. At that time, the fair continued for three years till the headquarters was shifted to Ilam Bazaar. 

Jhap Adhikari, a local, said, "The tradition was to attract girls through dances like the Rai community's Sakela dance and the Limbu community's Dan Nach and once a girl was taken, it was considered an official marriage."

The Jhyamte Fair's organising committee has now made the event more refined. It has been organising the fair annually for the past four years. According to the committee chairperson Aser Rai, food stalls featuring local dishes have been set up along with musical performances.

Even in the past, the fair used to take place, but it was discontinued after the Maoist insurgency began. 

After signing the Sugauli Treaty in March 1816, which made the Mechi River the eastern border of Nepal, Purne Danda became as headquarters (Khalanga) for three years. The records show that Badahakim Kaji Jayant Khatri moved the administrative headquarters to Purne Danda in Karphok after the treaty.  At that time, the eastern Limbuwan was observed from Karphok while the western region was governed from Dhankuta. 

Now Karphok Khulanga Community Homestay has been established, which has led to an increase in tourist activities in the area.