Gaura's celebration starts in the Far west

Dhangadhi: The festivities of Gaura festival have started in the far west. Even though there are still 3 days left for Gaura, the festivities have already started all over the far west

Gouraghar where gaura is brought in and immersed, from the monastery to the courtyard have been decorated. Traditional instruments like Bhokkar, Narasimha, Bugul, Mridanga and Damaha have started playing. Not only in the rural areas, but also in the market areas, the traders are attracted by the influx of shoppers. As per Sanatan cultural tradition, Gaura is introduced on Bhadra Krishna Panchami.

To celebrate Gaura, which is a major cultural festival of the Far West, people from abroad and in different districts of the country are returning to their hometowns. There is also a rush to return to the hilly districts from Kailali and Kanchanpur in the Terai area of the state.

Gaura is being organized as a festival in various places. On the day of Panchami, the festival begins by soaking Biruda (five types of grains) and entering the gaura. In some places, the festival is celebrated for a week to 10 days. There is a tradition of making gaura from bal, sesame, gubha, paddy and apple plants and installing Shiva in the form of a wooden idol and worshiping it every day until immersion.

Pujas are performed in the morning and evening and in the afternoon at the Gaura house, stories of various gods and goddesses, recitation of folk poetry and playing Deuda are performed. There is a tradition of worshiping Gaura every day from Panchami in the same way at a temple designated by tradition and performing immersion on the day of Ashtami. The day of gaura induction and immersion is specially celebrated.

When bringing in the gaura, the daughters-in-law take it to the local monastery while singing religious songs while waving it on the head.At the Dhami temple, the priests perform the ritual immersion of Gaura. On this day too, men and women play Deuda in the songs of different deities.