Dhangadi, September 1

People in Karnali and Province 7 are celebrating Gaura festival with fervour.

Deuda songs and dances are the main attraction of the festival, which is primarily dedicated to goddess Parvati. The celebration is believed to bring prosperity to a woman’s spouse and her family members.

This Hindu festival is not only celebrated for fun, but is also one of the identities of the far-western parts of the country. This festival is more women-centric as women observe fast, offer prayers and take part in the celebrations. However, males too involve themselves in Deuda dance and songs.

Houses, water spouts and roads have been cleaned for the festival.  The festival starts from Bhadra Sukla Panchami and lasts for four days.

A local at Gadsera, DotiKhem Raj Bhandari said apart from significance, the festival also helped strengthen social harmony. He added that Gaura festival was given more importance than Dashain andTihar in western Nepal.

Culture expert Badri Sharma Bidari said Gaura festival was also celebrated in Uttarakhanda, India. Locals working in different parts of the country and abroad return home for the festival.