Published On: September 20, 2017 11:18 AM NPT By: Sangita Shrestha

Barabarse Nardevi Swetkali Parba concludes

Barabarse Nardevi Swetkali Parba concludes

The Barabarse (12 years) Naradevi Swetkali Parba (festival) concluded on Saturday after masked dancers performed at Nasal Chowk of Hanumandokha in the presence of President Bidya Devi Bhandari. Earlier, the festival would be concluded in the presence of the king. 

The beginning of this Barabarse Naradevi Swetkali Parba dates back to 2009 (2066 BS). At the festival, celebrated by the Newar community, people masked as various deities perform ritualistic dance inside the Nardevi Temple. As per the tradition, dances are performed at 12 different places of Kathmandu, Banepa, Kirtipur, Bhaktapur and Lalitpur for 12 years from the beginning year of the Barabarse festival. 

Ram Maharjan, one of the Ganesh devgans (dancers) of Barabarse Naradevi Swetkali Parba shared, “It is not necessary that the festival runs for exactly 12 years, but the tradition has it that it cannot be extended past 12 years. The dances are performed at 12 main temples of 12 different deities. For example we go to the Chandeshowri Temple in Banepa as Chandeshwori is one of the deities.”

As many as 19 deities are worshipped during the Barabarse Naradevi Swetkali Parba, while seven deities – Mahadev, Suthaya Maju, Chandeswori, Daitye, Kumar, Dhwon and Khicha -- are added in the regular 12 deities for the festival. The 12 devgans perform a ritualistic dance during Panchare every year at the Nardevi Dabali. 


It is believed that the dance is performed to ward off evils and diseases, and to invite peace as well as prosperity in the country. The festival is managed by Naradevi Shree Swetkali Management Committee that was established 25 years ago. Every time, 63 members from 135 families are directly involved to organize the festival. Maharjan and Tuladhar clans from the Newar community organize the festival. 

The main attraction of the dance festival based on tantra is the killing of Daitye by Chandeswori. The devgans dance at the tunes of traditional musical instruments such as Khin, Taa, Ponga, Bhusya and Chuchiya and on the humming of tantric mantras. 
Talking about the need to preserve this festival and its importance, Ram said, “This festival is believed to have started during the reign of then king Achhya Mall. Barabarse Nardevi Swetkali Parba is a representative of our history and tradition, helping to establish our identity in the world. Earlier, the kings would bear the cost for the festival. But now we are struggling to manage finances.”

“It costs around Rs 300,000 to conduct the ritualistic dance in one place. Though the government gave us assurance that it would provide financial aid for the festival, we are not sure if the pledge will be brought into action. As of yet, people belonging to Maharjan and Tuladhar clans have been managing the finances on their own.” 

Despite the lack of concern and attention from the concerned governmental bodies, the locals of Naradevi have been contributing their sweat and money to preserve the long-held tradition. 

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