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Rajapur Municipality-5, Bardiya, is alive with the festive charm of the traditional Sakhiya Naach performed by the Tharu community. Beginning before Dashain and continuing for several days after the festival, this dance adds vibrancy to Tharu villages.

According to village elder Pradesi Chaudhary of Khallajaypur, the Sakhiya dance begins as soon as Dashain starts. In this dance, young women perform while young men play the madal (traditional drum). The more intensely the madal is played, the livelier the atmosphere becomes. Around 20 to 25 young women participate, dressed in white fariya (skirt), red choliya (blouse), and red ribbons.

Linked to stories from the Mahabharata, the Sakhiya dance is performed collectively with madal and manjira (cymbals), accompanied by songs. The songs invoke the names of various deities of the Tharu community, highlighting the dance’s cultural and religious significance.

“We perform this dance every year to preserve our tradition because the younger generation is gradually forgetting our culture,” said elder Pradesi Chaudhary.

Text & Photos: Nepal Photo Library

On the second day of Dashain Tika, people across the country continued receiving red tika and jamara from elders as a symbol of blessings and prosperity. The day coincides with Papankusha Ekadashi of the lunar calendar, during which many devotees also observe fasting. Those observing the Ekadashi fast are expected to receive tika tomorrow.

According to the Nepal Panchang Determination Committee, the practice of receiving tika and jamara as the prasad of Goddess Navadurga begins on Vijaya Dashami, following nine days of worship from Ashwin Shukla Pratipada to Navami. The ritual continues until the full moon day, allowing relatives living far away to visit their elders and receive blessings until then.

Meanwhile, traffic in and out of the Kathmandu Valley increased from early morning today as travelers began returning after celebrating Dashain in their hometowns. Compared to Wednesday and Thursday, the main roads witnessed heavier congestion today.

The weather across the country is presently influenced by both monsoon and local winds.

According to the Meteorological Forecasting Division, Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, the weather will remain generally cloudy across the country today, with chances of moderate rainfall in some hilly and Terai regions of Koshi, Bagmati, Gandaki, and Lumbini provinces, as well as in a few places in the hilly and Tarai regions of Madhes Province.

Likewise, heavy rainfall is expected at one or two places in the hilly areas of Karnali and Bagmati provinces, and in the Terai region of Lumbini Province.

Tonight, the weather will also remain generally cloudy across the country. Moderate rainfall is likely in the hilly areas of Koshi, Gandaki, and Lumbini provinces, in a few places of the Tarai region, in Madhes Province, and in the remaining provinces.

In view of the forecast for heavy rainfall at one or two places in Koshi, Madhes, Bagmati, Lumbini, and Gandaki provinces, the public have been urged to take necessary precautions against potential risks from the rain.

Greetings from Kathmandu!

Vijaya Dashami, the main day of the Dashain festival, was celebrated across the country with families coming together to offer and receive Tika and blessings from elders. However, Prime Minister Sushila Karki did not participate in the traditional Tika ceremony this year.

Instead, she met with families of the martyrs and emphasized that the government is exploring ways to support them, particularly in education and employment sectors. She remarked, "People in the government did not have enough wisdom," referring to the leadership during the protests. Karki met

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved continued financial assistance to Nepal under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF). The IMF Executive Board endorsed the sixth review of Nepal’s ECF program, signaling confidence in the country’s economic reforms. This approval opens the door for Nepal to access further financial resources under the program.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority has issued a travel advisory ahead of a forecast of significant rainfall between Oct 17 and 20. Moderate to heavy rain is expected in the Koshi, Madhes, Bagmati, Gandaki, and Lumbini provinces. Authorities have urged people to avoid non-essential travel during this period. In light of the forecast, vehicular movement along the Banepa-Sindhuli highway—severely damaged by last year’s monsoon—has been temporarily banned.

With Dashain festivities coming to a close, political activities are expected to pick up momentum. Major parties are gearing up for internal meetings to outline future strategies. The Election Commission, which has already begun preparations for the upcoming elections, is set to hold consultations with political parties. Additionally, the Nepali Congress and CPN-UML are planning to convene an all-party meeting to develop a common stance on key contemporary issues, including electoral matters.

No negotiations have yet taken place between the government and political parties—a necessary step to create a conducive environment for the upcoming elections. The absence of dialogue is raising concerns about the feasibility and credibility of the electoral process.

Adding to the tension, two major political parties—Nepali Congress (NC) and CPN-UML—have strongly objected to the government’s decision to bar former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, and other senior officials from traveling abroad. The decision has been criticized as politically motivated.

In contrast, the CPN (Maoist Center) has remained silent on the matter. According to insiders, party Chairperson Pushpa Kamal Dahal views the growing unpopularity of NC and UML as an opportunity to strengthen the Maoist Center's position. Notably, during the GenZ protests, Maoist leaders were not significantly targeted—something Dahal reportedly sees as a strategic advantage in the shifting political landscape.

Kamal Dev Bhattarai

Editor