Buddha Jayanti

Posted On:Saturday, May 18, 2019
Buddha Lotus

Today is full moon day, and as we know the day of Buddha’s birthday. The full moon is the lunar phase when the Moon appears fully illuminated from Earth’s perspective. This occurs when Earth is located between the Sun and the Moon. Buddhists in Nepal celebrate Buddha Jayanti on the full moon day. In Nepal, the birthday of Buddha is of special significance to many because of Nepal is the birthplace of Siddhartha Gautam Buddha. According to legend, Buddha was born at a pond in the Lumbini in Nepal’s Rupandehi district. We can still see the site until today, and it is enlisted as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

On the other, today is a very significant day for Kirati people. Sakela is the main festival in Kirat community, which is celebrated twice a year and it is distinguished by two names Ubhauli and Udhauli. Ubhauli festival falls on the full moon day of Baisakh of today. It marks the beginning of the farming season and the arrival of summer. The main characteristic of this festival is a ritual dance call Sakela dance performed by large groups of Kiratese wearing their traditional attire. People of all ages dance together in a large circle. In each circle of the dance, there are male and female leaders known as Silimangpa and Silimangma respectively. The leaders choreograph the dance is called ‘Sili’ and others should follow them. The Sili reflect itself on the different aspects of human life and their relationship with nature.  

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