Posted by: JPEG May 14, 2009
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A glimpse of the Kirat ni Beauty at ‘Sakela Sili Ubhauli 2066’ ~ a Kirat cultural festival held in Kathmandu, Wednesday, May 13 09.
According to Yele sambat, Kiranti new year, Sakela Ubhauli as of 2066 is 5069.
Sakela festival is celebrated twice a year by the Kirat community distinguished by two names Ubhauli and Udhauli. Sakela Ubhauli is celebrated on April/May during Baisakh Purnima (full moon day in the month of Baishak) and Sakela Udhauli is celebrated on November/December during Mangshire Purnima (full moon day in the month of Mangshir).
According to Kirat holy book Mundhum a year is divided in to two phases: Ubhauli (Going up) and Udhauli (Going down). It is accepted that naming came from the migration pattern of birds. During the start of summer season in Baishak (April/May), the birds migrate upwards to the cooler Hilly region,
and thus it is known as Ubhauli, which means Upwards. Likewise, during the winter season in Mangshir (November/December), the birds migrate downward to the warmer Terrain belt, and thus it is known as Udhauli which means Downwards.
During April/May, rain starts and the earth gets virginity and fertility. Kirat people worship the earth in a belief that she would become happy and cropping would be envisaged. The celebration of Sakela Ubhauli is the prayer to Goddess of Nature for good crops and protection from natural calamities, as it is the time of farming. Hence the sakela is also known as Bhumi Puja (land/nature worhsipping).
Similarly, the celebration of Sakela Udhauli is the way of thanks giving to Goddess of nature for providing the good crops, as it is the time for harvesting
All Kirat - Limbu, Rai, Yakkha and Sunuwar, celebrate this festival in different ways and have different names for it. Limbu call it "Chasok Tangnam", Rai call it "Sakela", Yakkha call it "Chasuwa" and Sunuwar called it "Pholsadar".
The Sakela also called Sakewa, Sakhewa, Sakenwa, Sime, Bhume, Folsyandar, Ubhouli, Udhouli, depending on the distribution of Kirat people scattered across the Himalayan region from Himachal Pradesh, Nepal, Dareeeling, Assam. Hence the sakela is not only the festival of the Kirat people but also of all the people living in hilly regions who worship Mother Nature in their day to day life.
The festival started with Shakti Puja performed by the nakchhong (kirat priest).
Points to be taken: This festival, once banned by one of the Malla kings, was again officially recognized by the government as the Kirat’s festival in 2058. It is gaining popularity among young generation
According to Yele sambat, Kiranti new year, Sakela Ubhauli as of 2066 is 5069.
Sakela festival is celebrated twice a year by the Kirat community distinguished by two names Ubhauli and Udhauli. Sakela Ubhauli is celebrated on April/May during Baisakh Purnima (full moon day in the month of Baishak) and Sakela Udhauli is celebrated on November/December during Mangshire Purnima (full moon day in the month of Mangshir).
According to Kirat holy book Mundhum a year is divided in to two phases: Ubhauli (Going up) and Udhauli (Going down). It is accepted that naming came from the migration pattern of birds. During the start of summer season in Baishak (April/May), the birds migrate upwards to the cooler Hilly region,
and thus it is known as Ubhauli, which means Upwards. Likewise, during the winter season in Mangshir (November/December), the birds migrate downward to the warmer Terrain belt, and thus it is known as Udhauli which means Downwards.
During April/May, rain starts and the earth gets virginity and fertility. Kirat people worship the earth in a belief that she would become happy and cropping would be envisaged. The celebration of Sakela Ubhauli is the prayer to Goddess of Nature for good crops and protection from natural calamities, as it is the time of farming. Hence the sakela is also known as Bhumi Puja (land/nature worhsipping).
Similarly, the celebration of Sakela Udhauli is the way of thanks giving to Goddess of nature for providing the good crops, as it is the time for harvesting
All Kirat - Limbu, Rai, Yakkha and Sunuwar, celebrate this festival in different ways and have different names for it. Limbu call it "Chasok Tangnam", Rai call it "Sakela", Yakkha call it "Chasuwa" and Sunuwar called it "Pholsadar".
The Sakela also called Sakewa, Sakhewa, Sakenwa, Sime, Bhume, Folsyandar, Ubhouli, Udhouli, depending on the distribution of Kirat people scattered across the Himalayan region from Himachal Pradesh, Nepal, Dareeeling, Assam. Hence the sakela is not only the festival of the Kirat people but also of all the people living in hilly regions who worship Mother Nature in their day to day life.
The festival started with Shakti Puja performed by the nakchhong (kirat priest).
Points to be taken: This festival, once banned by one of the Malla kings, was again officially recognized by the government as the Kirat’s festival in 2058. It is gaining popularity among young generation