Kathmandu valley shines bright for Tihar (With Photos)
With the arrival of Tihar, the second greatest festival of Hindus, the Kathmandu Valley has been beautifully illuminated with decorative lights. Every house, neighborhood, and the entire valley is now adorned with dazzling lights. The valley, glittering with colorful illumination, looks mesmerizing from the surrounding hills.
Tihar is also regarded as the festival of lights. It is believed that Goddess Laxmi, the goddess of wealth, resides in bright and clean homes, so people light oil lamps and decorate their houses with sparkling lights to welcome her.
Photos: Nepal Photo Library
Bagmati river-side settlements submerged (With Photos)
Continuous rainfall has inundated several settlements in Kathmandu.
Squatter settlements along the banks of the Bagmati River have been submerged. In response, the army has been deployed to evacuate the affected neighborhoods. Security personnel are checking each house and assisting residents in moving their belongings to safety.
Text & Photos: Nepal Photo Library
Tharu community in Bardiya celebrates Sakhiya dance (With Photos)
Rajapur Municipality-5, Bardiya, is alive with the festive charm of the traditional Sakhiya Naach performed by the Tharu community. Beginning before Dashain and continuing for several days after the festival, this dance adds vibrancy to Tharu villages.
According to village elder Pradesi Chaudhary of Khallajaypur, the Sakhiya dance begins as soon as Dashain starts. In this dance, young women perform while young men play the madal (traditional drum). The more intensely the madal is played, the livelier the atmosphere becomes. Around 20 to 25 young women participate, dressed in white fariya (skirt), red choliya (blouse), and red ribbons.
Linked to stories from the Mahabharata, the Sakhiya dance is performed collectively with madal and manjira (cymbals), accompanied by songs. The songs invoke the names of various deities of the Tharu community, highlighting the dance’s cultural and religious significance.
“We perform this dance every year to preserve our tradition because the younger generation is gradually forgetting our culture,” said elder Pradesi Chaudhary.
Text & Photos: Nepal Photo Library
