The Lakhe Jatra, a vibrant cultural festival celebrated by the Newar community, commenced today in Nepal’s eastern hilly districts, including Okhaldhunga, Khotang, Sankhuwasabha, Bhojpur, Dhankuta, Tehrathum, and Taplejung.
In Sankhuwasabha, the celebrations officially began in Khandbari Bazaar, following traditional rituals at the Bhimsen Temple located in Khandbari Municipality-1. As per Newar cultural practice, Bhimsen-the deity of trade and commerce worshipped before the formal start of the festival.
The Lakhe Jatra traditionally begins on Nag Panchami, a day dedicated to serpent worship in Hindu culture, and concludes on Krishna Janmashtami, which marks the birth of Lord Krishna. These two festivals typically fall about two weeks apart, forming the timeframe for the Lakhe festivities.
This year’s celebrations are being organized by the Newa Dey Daboo Municipal Working Committee, Khandbari. The centerpiece of the festival is the Lakhe Dance, where performers don vibrant traditional costumes and fearsome masks, and move energetically through the streets to the rhythm of traditional Newar music, enthralling spectators.
Committee Chair Pushpa Bahadur Shrestha confirmed the official commencement of this year’s Lakhe Jatra.
Although the Newar community has its historical roots in the Kathmandu Valley-particularly in Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, and Lalitpur has also established settlements across the country. Notable Newar populations can be found in Dhankuta Bazaar (Dhankuta), Taksar Bazaar (Bhojpur), Chainpur, Khandbari, Wana, and Sibhuwa Bazaar (Sankhuwasabha).
During the Lakhe dances, performers enact symbolic battles that echo mythological tales from the Dwapar Yuga, particularly the legendary conflict between Lord Krishna and his tyrannical uncle, King Kansa.
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