KATHMANDU: Sikali Jatra is celebrated in Khokana, Lalitpur, as an alternative to the traditional Dashain festival.
Locals gather around the Sikali Chaur Temple to partake in the vibrant festivities.
While Dashain is often believed to have started from Khakona, the residents of Khokana traditionally do not celebrate it.
According to the Magha Mahatmya of the Skandapurana, the yagna of Daksha Prajapati was disrupted by warriors including Mahakali and Birbhadra, leading to the scattering of the Devganas.
This ancient yagna was similarly destroyed by the divine figures of Birbhadra and Mahakali.
Sikali Jatra is marked by prayers and communal feasting, with celebrations inspired by the Shree Swasthani Bratakatha from Ghatasthapana to Navami.
The residents of Khokana honor this festival with their unique traditions, embracing their cultural heritage despite any internal criticisms.
In Khokana, the absence of Dashain celebrations is notable.
Locals assert that their Jatra, rooted in a culture that predates Dashain, takes precedence, leading them to forgo Dashain in favor of this rich communal celebration.
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