KATHMANDU, May 5: Sakela, the festival of Kirant Community (Rai, Limbu, Yakkha, Sunuwar), is being observed in various places in the country.

The festival was also celebrated at Tundikhel in the capital on Saturday with much fanfare. Kirant men and women clad in traditional attire observed the festival by beating drum, cymbals and  imitating the activities of birds and other animals and exchanging greetings with each other.

The festival is celebrated by worshiping land, ancestors in hopes of getting better crops, health and property.

The festival is also known as Sakenwa, Sakela, Sakal.

Having roots in the Krirant community's history and civilization, the festival is observed twice in the year – during plantation and harvesting period.

The festival lasts for a month. This festival also known as Udhauli began on the full moon day of Baisakh (Baisakh Sukla Purnima), is celebrated in Khotang, Bhojpur, Dhankuta, Udayapur, Okhaldhunga, Solukhumbu, Sankhuwasabha, Sunsari, Ilam, Panchthar, Jhapa, Morang as well as in the Kathmandu Valley.

Photos by Sujan Shrestha/Republica 

 
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