KAILALI, JULY 29
The Tharu community in western Nepal observed Gurahi, a traditional cultural festival, with great enthusiasm today. The annual event is believed to protect crops from pests and safeguard community health.
During the festival, girls and sisters craft a cloth doll called Guriya, which is later ritually disposed of in a ceremony known as Asraina. The practice is said to ward off harmful insects and ensure the healthy growth of nursery crops.
Following the ritual, participants share Prasad made of mixed grains and bhuja (puffed rice) while engaging in traditional singing and dancing. The term Gurahi refers to a dragonfly, symbolizing its ecological role in controlling harmful bugs. Male participants symbolically strike the doll with sticks, a gesture believed to drive away disease and negative influences.
Considered a children's festival as well, Gurahi is linked to protection from seasonal ailments and stands as a symbol of social harmony and cultural heritage. The celebration coincided with Nag Panchami, the Hindu festival dedicated to serpent worship, observed on the same day this year.
(With input from RSS)
