BHOJPUR: The Kirat community here celebrated Sakela Ubhauli Chaad indoors this year owing to the ongoing lockdown imposed to control COVID-19 outbreak.

The traditional dance - Sakela Naach - which pays tributes to the gods while praying for good health, good harvest, peace and prosperity, was muted due to the coronavirus outbreak.

This year, due to the global pandemic that is gradually spreading its claws in Nepal too, everyone has been urged to celebrate the festival indoors, said Sirjana Rai, Chairperson of Kirat Rai Yayokkha, Bhojpur.

Sakela Naach takes place with much fanfare in the hilly districts of Province No.1 including Bhojpur, Khotang and Udayapur. However, due to the province being affected by the the virus, traditional fervour and enthusiasm this year was less than the previous years.

Ubhauli is celebrated every year on Baishak Shukla Purnima which also coincides with Buddha Jayanti.

(This is the corrected version of an earlier text. We apologise to the readers for our inadvertent error)