Bagh Bhairab Dance being celebrated in Kirtipur after 12 years

23rd October,15 | Kirtipur is an ancient Newari town located in the south-west of Kathmandu Valley. Situated at a distance of 5km from Kathmandu Valley, this city is rich in culture and traditions. Run by Newars, their major festivals are Bagh Bhairab Jatra, Ganesh Jatra, Krishna Jatra, etc.

The pictures depict a traditional ritual dance known as Bagh Bhairab Dance which happens every once in 12 years in Kirtipur. Bagh Bhairab Dance aka Gathu Pyakha (in newari) is celebrated once in every 12 year in Kirtipur. It is also known as Gaa-Makhagu-Pyakha. It is a moment of joy for the kirtipurians as the most awaited Bagh Bhairab Dance is back from 23rd this month. Dancers from 7 different villages perform cultural ethnic during this occasion. The Dance inaugurates at a place named Dev Dhoka (an ancient gate of gods) by performing some rituals.

A number of dances are performed during this occasion. The first dance which was performed few days back is known as Chakha dance. Chakha is a newari word which means the dance performed at night. Similarly, the second dance is known as Nhikha dance which means the dance performed at daytime. The place where the dances are being performed is called Satakwo. The dance is performed three times in Satakwo, one time in layaku of kirtipur, one time in basantapur and one time in patan.

The dance is usually concluded after offering some food(shagun in Newari) to the dancers as well as to their dance teachers. It includes roasted egg and rice-beer(known as thwon in newari).  Bagh Bhairab Dance is celebrated for around a year.

Baghbhairab dance 12th years god dance is going on at kirtipur

Posted by Gyanu Raja Maharjan on Friday, October 23, 2015

Special Thanks to Lens Light Nepal (Lelish Maharjan and Repeace Maharjan Newa) Team for providing us with some pictures of the festival.