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Currently there is an impact of the westerly winds as well as the low-pressure system formed in the Arabian Sea, resulting in the generally cloudy situation across the country today.

The Weather Forecasting Division of the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology stated that moderate snowfall and rainfall are likely in the hilly and mountainous regions of different provinces including Gandaki, Lumbini and Karnali today.   

Light rainfall is expected to occur in one or two places in the Tarai belt today.  

Likewise, heavy snowfall and rainfall are likely to occur in the hilly and mountainous parts in Bagmati, Gandaki and Karnali Provinces today. 

The Division stated that the weather will be generally cloudy in the hilly regions of Koshi, Bagmati, Gandaki, Lumbini and Karnali Provinces and partly cloudy in the Tarai belt tonight.  

Similarly, there is the possibility of snowfall and rainfall in one of two places of the mountainous and hilly areas of Koshi, Gandaki, Bagmati, Lumbini and Karnali Provinces. 

There will be heavy snowfall and rainfall in one or two mountainous and hilly regions of Bagmati and Gandaki Provinces tonight, the Division stated in a bulletin today.

Prime Minister Sushila Karki performed Chhath Puja of Chhathi Mata by attending the celebrations at Kamalpokhari in Kathmandu this evening. PM Karki worshipped the Sun god and Chhati Mata at Kamalpokhari.

Arghya (the curd holy water) is offered to the Sun god by paying homage to the setting sun today, the main day of the Chhath festival. 

Devotees who are observing the festival with much reverence and assiduousness remain awake at the Chhath worshipping area from early morning today until next morning that concludes after offering Arghya to the rising Sun. 

It is stated in the Surya Purana that one's wishes will come true by celebrating the Chhath festival. According to mythological accounts, during the era of the Mahabharata, Draupadi and the five Pandavas spent one year in incognito worshipping the Sun, and the celebration of the festival is rooted in the same mythical narration. 

The government had also announced the nationwide public holiday today on the occasion of the Chhath festival.

There is a possibility of light to moderate snow and rainfall in the country starting tonight. This is due to the influence of the low pressure system formed in the Arabian Sea along with the westerly winds.

Light to moderate snowfall and rain is likely in some places of Gandaki, Lumbini and Karnali Provinces and in a few places in the hilly and mountainous areas of the remaining provinces, says the Weather Forecasting Division in a Post-monsoon Special Weather Bulletin released earlier today.

In addition, there is a possibility of heavy snowfall in one or two places in the high hilly and mountainous areas of Gandaki Province. As a result, the division has requested people to take necessary precautions as the possible snow and rainfall may affect daily life, mountaineering, as well as the agriculture and tourism sectors.

The Division has also stated that it is continuously monitoring this system and will update regularly.

The Samachakewa festival has begun in the Mithila region, including Mahottari. 

This festival, dedicated to brothers, is observed by the women of Mithila (Mithilani) and started on Monday night.

It begins on the second day of the Chhath festival, or the fifth day of Kattik Shukla (the bright fortnight) in the month of Kartik, and is observed for 11 days, concluding on Purnima (the full moon day of Kartik).

During the festival, Mithila women from the same community gather at night to sing songs praising the bravery, benevolence, dedication, and love of their brothers. In the local language, the festival is called Samakhel.

The festival begins on the day of Kharana during Chhath, the major festival of the region. The women create clay figures of Sama and Chakewa (mythical characters from the Dwapara Yuga), Brindavan (forest), Saptarshi (seven revered sages in the Hindu mythology), birds, and Chugala (the gossip messenger). 

They decorate these figures with vibrant colours and sing songs while interacting symbolically with the characters. Oil lamps are lit in a dala (a traditional wicker basket), and through songs, the women describe the qualities of each figure, highlighting the philanthropic and brave deeds of their brothers. These songs express pride and admiration for their brothers’ courage, social contributions and good deeds.

The Chugala character, regarded as the gossipmonger, is symbolically punished during the festival by singing his beard with a small flame from a broom. 

In songs, the character is scolded and blamed for mischief and misdeeds. On the final day, Purnima, it is customary for brothers to place all the clay figures on their knees and break them. The broken figures are then disposed of in the deserted forests. After this, brothers offer their sisters beaten rice made from newly harvested paddy and Sakkhar (molasse). In return, sisters serve their brothers delicacies, and the brothers give their sisters clothes, jewelry, and cash (dakshina), marking the conclusion of the festival.

The Samachakewa festival is rooted in a legendary story from the Dwapara Yuga about Sama, the daughter of Lord Krishna, and her beloved, the army commander Chakradhar (Chakewa). According to the myth, the Chugala reported it to Krishna which angered him. Krishna cursed both Sama and Chakewa, turning them into birds.

To free them, Krishna’s son Samba performed penance to Lord Shiva and blessed with a boon allowing him to appease Krishna. As a result, Sama and Chakewa were freed from the curse, returned to human form, and married. 

In gratitude for her brother Samba’s help, Sama sang songs praising him. In remembrance of this, the tradition of the Sama-Chakewa festival was established. Hemnarayan Lal Karn, principal of Yajnavalkya Lakshminarayan Vidyapeeth (Sanskrit Campus) in Matihani, explains that this is the origin of the festival’s customs.