Bhaktapur, September 11

Mahakali Naach, which began from August 20 this year in Nagadesh of Madhyapur Thimi, ended today.

The tradition of organising the dance had been followed faithfully  since 300 BC, but was discontinued from 2009 due to financial problems. After seven years, the youths of Thimi decided to protect the culture and tradition of Nagadesh and thus this year, the religious dance was performed with much festivity.

At the end of the event, the Nagadesh Cultural Pucha felicitated the donors who had been generous.

Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Jeevan Bahadur Shahi honoured those who contributed Rs 2,000 to 25,000 to organise Mahakali Naach.

Shahi said the government would provide fund for Mahakali Naach from next year.

To organise the Naach next year, Nagadesh Cultural Pucha has established a trust to collect funds. According to Binod Koju, secretary of the Nagadesh Cultural Pucha, the trust has collected Rs 650,000. “We need nearly Rs 1 million to organise the dance,” he said.

He shared that people believe that organising the traditional Naach helps keep the evil away and prevents natural disasters. “It is believed that Mahakali goddess protects people from evil. Due to this reason the cultural dance has utmost importance.”

Goddess Mahakali is taken as the central character in the dance portrayal while Mahalaxmi, Kumari, Singha, Mayur, Mahisasur, Bhairav, Kawangcha, Maka, Khyak, and Betal dance along with Mahakali.