KATHMANDU, May 21: Sakela, the festival of Kirant Community (Rai, Limbu, Yakkha, Sunuwar), is being observed in various places in the country.

The festival is being celebrated at Tudikhel in the capital today with much fanfare. Kirant men and women clad in traditional attire are observing 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 and 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 a year – during the plantation and harvesting period.

The festival lasts for a month. This festival also known as Udhauli begins 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.

Here are some pictures taken by Republica Photojournalist Bijaya Rai.

 
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