Bhuwa festival begins

Bajura, December 29

Bhuwa festival has commenced in hilly districts of mid and far-western regions from today.

The festival is celebrated in Accham, Doti, and Bajhang districts of far-western region, and in Dolpa, Humla, Jumla and Kalikot, among other districts, of mid-western region.

The locals of Brahmatola, Martadi, Aantichaur, Bahrabisa, Jugada, Kuldevmandau, and other VDCs of Bajura celebrate this festival for three to five days with much gusto. Bhuwa in fact carries even more significance than either Dashain or Tihar in these regions.

A local Dhan Bahadur Shah said the festival celebrates Pandava’s victory over Kaurava. He said male youths stage generations old swordplay, display different types of khukuries and exchange oaths of brotherhood during the festival.

During prayer rituals, devotees sing hymns of Lord Krishna, Indra and Pandava throughout the first night of the festival.

Formerly a festival only celebrated by men, a noticeably growing number of women have been participating in the festival with much enthusiasm over the years .