DHARAN, May 10: Kirant Community has started celebrating Ubhauli festival in east Nepal with much gusto.

Ubhauli is being observed by Kirant community (Rai, Limbu, Yakkha, Sunuwar) by beating drums and cymbals to worship their ancestors and nature.

Rais performed Sakela dance while Limbus Chyabrung dance to observe the festival at various historical places including Budha Subba Temple and Amarhat in Dharan Municipality.

 Similarly, in the eastern hill, Kirant people performed Sakela dance at Halesi, Diktel, at Buipa, Rupakot, Jantedhunga, Tuwachung, among other places.

The youths and elderly pray for favorable weather for crops while exchanging greetings with each other.

The festival which began on Wednesday will last for two weeks.

This festival is known by  various names such as Sakela, Sakenwa, Toshi, Sakewa Ubhauli, Baisakh Purnima.

With inputs and some photos from Daman Rai/Republica

 
• ubhauli festival
 
• fanfare
 
• kirant community