Khokana locals get set for Sikali Jatra

Kathmandu, Oct. 13: As the entire nation gears up to celebrate the grandeur of Dashain, the Khokana township in Ward No. 21 of Lalitpur Metropolitan City comes alive with a celebration of its own a time-honoured cultural tradition dedicated to Goddess Rudrayani, popularly known as Sikali Jatra. 

During Dashain, Nepalis traditionally mark the festival by applying Tika and sowing seeds for Jamara at every household and sacred site. However, the people of Khokana do not grow Jamara.

Khokana, located to the south of the Kathmandu Valley, is famous for mustard oil and beaten rice all across the country. 

However, many people do not know another feature of Khokana; people here do not celebrate Dashain, the biggest festival of Nepalis.  

When the people in other parts of the country and even in the neighbouring villages are sowing seeds to grow Jamara for Dashain, the people of the ethnic Newar community of Khokana are busy celebrating the Sikali festival from Sunday on the day of Ghatasthapana. Coincidentally, both festivals begin on the same day.  

Sikali festival is very important for the Khokana residents, they celebrate this festival by performing different rituals, mask dances and eating different food items till the day of Mahaastami of Dashain on October 18, said Rabindra Maharjan, Ward Chairperson of Lalitpur Metropolitan City-21.   

From the first day, a secret puja is performed at the Sikali Temple located on a tiny hill ground just outside the town for four days. Eight unmarried boys perform the special puja.