Sakela festival to be marked by maintaining social distancing

KHOTANG: Kirant community is celebrating the Sakela festival for a month starting tomorrow.

This festival, which falls on the full moon of the Nepali month Baisakh, is observed by Kirant community – Rai, Limbu, Sunuwar and Yakhkha.

However, Sakela is not going to be as attractive as always this year due to the constraints caused by the lockdown.

Mundhum and cultural expert Prabin Puma said the festival will be celebrated by maintaining social distancing in a minimum participation of the people.

Meanwhile, COVID-19 Prevention and Control District Coordination Committee, Khotang has urged one and all to celebrate the festival in a minimum participation of the people.

A meeting of the coordination committee held on Tuesday urged all the concerned to observe religious and cultural festivals with a minimum participation of the people, said Babi Chamling, Chief of District Coordination Committee, Khotang.

According to the decision, more than 25 people should not participate in a group and at least there should be a distance of one meter between the two revelers while celebrating the Sakela festival.

Earlier, Lafehanchha Sewa Samaj of Rupakot Majhuwagadhi Municipalilty-5 had fixed the maximum number of participants at 15.