'Budhi Polne' festival celebrated across Sudurpaschim with devotion and cultural fervor

Dhangadhi: The Budhi Polne festival is being celebrated with religious devotion and cultural enthusiasm today in various hilly districts of Sudurpaschim Province.

Observed annually on Bhadra Sankranti, the festival symbolizes public faith, tradition, and collective cooperation.

According to local custom, from early morning, villagers of all ages—children, youth, and elders—gather to create a doll called ‘Budhi’ using various plants such as furkegash, tusaro, beldo, garnglo, bamboo, jyang, and tree branches. In the evening, it is customary to burn the doll, which is buried by the roadside on Bhadra 1.

Religiously, the Budhi doll represents the demonic ‘Putana,’ who, according to legend, tried to kill children by feeding them poisoned milk. Mythologically, the festival commemorates the triumph of truth when Lord Krishna killed the demon.

Pandit Janakraj Bhatta of Patan Municipality-3 in Baitadi stated that the festival conveys the victory of truth over falsehood and preserves religious traditions. He added that the specially prepared Budhi is burned collectively with the participation of children and elders, during which villagers chew cucumber while chanting, “Thui Budhi Thui.”

It is also traditional to apply the ashes remaining after the burning on main doors of houses, sheds, and the foreheads of cows and buffaloes. Devaki Bhatta of Surnaya Rural Municipality-3 said that this practice is believed to ward off misfortune, diseases, and bad omens.

78-year-old Harka Bahadur Saud of Melauli Municipality-5 in Baitadi remarked, “Our ancestors celebrated this festival in the same way. The belief that burning Budhi brings villagers together to light firecrackers, exchange happiness, and ward off diseases still exists.”

Cultural programs such as Deuda, Bhuwa, and group dances were also organized in some areas, said Janaki Saud, a social leader from Shivnath. She added that the festival strengthens intergenerational bonds and helps preserve the region’s cultural heritage.

However, Parbati Karki of Dogadakedar Rural Municipality-3 noted that modernity, population shifts, and busy lifestyles have reduced widespread participation compared to the past. Nevertheless, local authorities, schools, and youth clubs continue to organize programs to promote and preserve the festival.

Even today, the Budhi Polne festival remains a living symbol of religious faith, cultural tradition, and social cooperation in Far Western society.