Udhauli Parva

Udhauli Parva is a prominent festival celebrated in Kirant community of Nepal primarily among Rai and Limbu caste group people. It is also referred as "Sakela Festival" among many followers. Udhauli parva falls on the full moon of Mangsir in every year generally indicating about the arrival of Winter season and appreciating the mother nature for the plentiful harvest of food. The word has a specific meaning in which Udho means downward where many people from hills migrate to lower regions to escape the cold temperature of Himalayas during this festival. Udhauli means going downward to avoid cold temperatures while Ubhauli means going upward returning to their homes with the arrival of summer season.

History:

There is no any concrete evidence about when Kirant community started celebrating this festival but however according to Kirant Mythology this festival is based upon the love story of God of sun and goddess of land. Paruhang, the god of sun and Sumnina, the goddess of land fell in love with each other where Paruhang proposed to Sumnina for marriage by gifting her a comb. After marriage they lived happily for a long time until when Paruhang disappeared without a notice. After Paruhang missing, Sumnina was devastated for a long time but despite her sadness she had children to look after. While searching for food she discovered a plant that would give her power, strength, happiness and encourage to speak truth if consumed. Believing it would help a lot of people; she thought of sharing the plant making it a Buti (traditional talisman) that people could wear.

After many years Paruhang finally returned to Sumnina while wearing the same talisman that forces people to speak truth. He revealed that he has been meditating and exploring the cosmos of universe while being seated atop of mount Everest. Seeing her husband after so long Sumnina couldn’t hold her happiness and started dancing for joy and today the same dance is performed at the Udhauli parva as Sakela dance.

Importance:

Udhauli parva hold a significant part in the Kirant community people in cultural and spiritual aspect. They celebrate this festival to thank mother nature for abundant amount of harvest from their land. This festival signifies the end of harvest season and the starting of winter season showing the communities profound relation with agriculture and the nature. People express their thankfulness to their ancestors and gods by performing rituals and Sakela dance. Additionally, this festival highlights the adaptive strategies of Kirant people marking the migration from higher altitudes to lower regions to avoid cold.

In conclusion, Udhauli Parva is a dynamic festival that blends culture, faith, nature, and community, making it an essential component of the Kirant heritage. The festival mirrors the Kirant people's profound connection with nature and their traditional way of life that is depicted through rituals, dances, and community gatherings.

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