KATHMANDU: A twelve-yearly ritual dance fair, which will last for 11 months, kicked off in Kirtipur on Thursday.

The dance fair, which started during the time of King Niwas Malla, will be held in each and every street of Kirtipur on rotational basis. During the ceremony, participants will don the mask of 11 separate deities including that of Asta Matrika and Mahalaxmi.

Dance Guru Raj Kumar Mali said the Malla King had started the dance in order to instill a sense of security among the town dwellers.

Weapons renunciation Day

The 277th weapons renunciation was observed on the Vijaya Dashami on Thursday. The day is celebrated to mark the Maurya Emperor Ashoka the Great's renunciation of warfare after feeling dejected following the Kalinga war, said Chie Monk Tapashi Dhamma of Charumati Buddha Bihar.

Monk Dhamma said King Ashoka's had made great contribution towards spreading the teachings of Buddha in the world.