Sudurpaschim declares public holiday for Khakhdehara festival

Dhangadhi: The Sudurpaschim provincial government has declared a public holiday across the province today in celebration of the Khakhdehara festival of the Ranatharu community.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Law issued a gazette notification announcing the holiday on Friday to mark the significance of the festival. The Ranatharu community, residing primarily in Kailali and Kanchanpur, observes Khakhdehara as the concluding ritual of the Hori festival.

The Hori festival, celebrated for eight days over a month, began on Magh Purnima. According to Bhalmanasa Bhajji Rana of Dhangadhi village, men conclude their Hori festival by breaking the Khakhdehara, while women traditionally complete their celebrations in the pastures of Chaitra.