Kirat community celebrating Udhauli festival today

KATHMANDU: The Kirat community, particularly the Rai and Limbu ethnic groups in Nepal, celebrates the Udhauli festival annually with great enthusiasm and various cultural programs.

This year, the festival continues to be observed in a grand manner.

About Udhauli Festival

Udhauli marks the beginning of the winter season and holds deep cultural and spiritual significance for the Kirat people.

It is a time to honor nature, express gratitude for the harvest, and seek blessings for a prosperous winter.

Key Aspects of the Udhauli Festival

Date:

Udhauli is typically celebrated in November or December, based on the lunar calendar, starting from the full moon day of the month of Mangsir (Mangsir Purnima).

Nature Worship:

The festival involves rituals to appease and honor deities, spirits, and natural elements. The Kirat community gives thanks for a successful harvest and prays for abundance and prosperity during the winter.

Cultural Events:

Udhauli is not solely a religious event but also a celebration of Kirat culture. People come together for traditional dances, songs, and other cultural activities passed down through generations.

Sakela Dance:

A highlight of the festival is the Sakela dance, an energetic and rhythmic performance featuring colorful attire and symbolic gestures. This dance is accompanied by traditional instruments such as drums, flutes, and cymbals.

Traditional Attire:

During Udhauli, participants wear vibrant traditional Kirat clothing, adorned with culturally significant jewelry and accessories.

Feasting:

Like many festivals worldwide, Udhauli involves sharing special traditional meals with family and the community, fostering togetherness and celebration.

Symbolism:

Udhauli symbolizes the agricultural cycle and the seasonal migration of people, animals, and birds from lakes to rivers. The festival rituals are believed to secure a bountiful harvest for the following year and reinforce community bonds.

According to Hari Chongbang, a professor of Kirat history and former central vice chair of the Kirat Yakthung Chumlung (KYC), the festival of Chasok Tangnam (Nwagi Puja) begins on Mangsir Purnima. This period marks the movement of crops and the natural world, reflecting the harmonious relationship between the Kirat people and their environment.

Preserving Heritage:

Udhauli is an integral part of the Kirat cultural heritage. The festival plays a crucial role in preserving the community’s rich traditions and passing them on to future generations.

The celebration of Udhauli adds to the diverse and vibrant tapestry of festivals in Nepal, highlighting the importance of nature, gratitude, and cultural identity.

A public holiday has been granted today on the occasion of this festival.