Okhaldhunga: The Lakhe Jatra, a cultural festival celebrated by the Newar community in the eastern hilly districts, commenced today in Okhaldhunga, Khotang, Sankhuwasabha, Bhojpur, Dhankuta, Tehrathum, and Taplejung.
According to National News Agency Nepal, the festivities in Sankhuwasabha began at Khandbari Bazaar with rituals performed at the Bhimsen Temple in Khandbari municipality-1. Bhimsen, revered as the deity of trade and commerce, is worshipped by the Newar community before the formal commencement of the festival.
Traditionally, the festival starts on Nag Panchami, a day dedicated to serpent worship in Hindu culture, and concludes on Krishna Janmashtami, the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna. These two events typically fall about two weeks apart, marking the duration of the festival.
The Newa Dey Daboo Municipal Working Committee, Khandbari, has coordinated the organizing of this year’s Lakhe Jatra. The Lakhe Dance, a central highlight, features performers in colorful traditional attire and elaborate masks, dancing through market streets to traditional Newar music, captivating the onlookers.
Committee Chair Pushpa Bahadur Shrestha affirmed the official start of the celebrations. Although the Newar community is historically rooted in Kathmandu Valley’s cities-Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, and Lalitpur-they have established settlements in various parts of the country, including Dhankuta Bazaar, Taksar Bazaar, Chainpur, Khandbari, Wana, and Sibhuwa Bazaar.
During the Lakhe dances, performers enact symbolic acts that recall the legendary battle between Lord Krishna and his maternal uncle Kansa, reflecting mythological tales from the Dwapar Yuga.