July 28, 2025

Eastern Nepal is home to a rich tapestry of ethnic diversity, with indigenous groups such as the Rai, Limbu, Yakkha, and Sunuwar—collectively referred to as the Kirat communities. These groups share ancient roots, animist and shamanic traditions, and a deep spiritual connection to nature and ancestors. Their culture is vibrant, oral in tradition, and deeply interwoven with the cycles of the earth, agriculture, and the cosmos.

At the heart of Kirat spiritual life is the reverence for nature spirits and ancestral deities, which manifests in daily practices, rituals, and seasonal festivals. Unlike many Hindu or Buddhist groups, Kirats traditionally follow Mundhum, an oral scripture and philosophical guide that preserves their myths, customs, and cosmology. Their priests—Nakchhong, Mangpa, or Bijuwa, depending on the group—play a central role in community rites and healing ceremonies.

Ubhauli and Udhauli: The Seasonal Pulse of the Kirat Calendar

Among the most important festivals celebrated by the Kirat communities are Ubhauli and Udhauli, which mark the seasonal migration and agricultural rhythm of the year. These festivals are not just ritual events but acts of cultural preservation and community identity.

Ubhauli (meaning “going upward”)

  • Celebrated in April or May, Ubhauli marks the time when people and livestock traditionally move uphill for summer pastures.
  • It is also a time for sowing crops and offering prayers to nature deities and ancestors to bless the agricultural season ahead.
  • Communities gather in traditional attire to perform the Sakela dance—men and women move in large circles to the beat of drums and cymbals, mimicking the elements of nature like planting, plowing, or rain.
  • Sakela Ubhauli is especially celebrated by the Rai and Sunuwar communities, often in open fields or temples dedicated to nature spirits.

Udhauli (meaning “coming down”)

  • Celebrated in November or December, Udhauli signals the descent to the lower valleys as winter approaches and the harvest ends.
  • It is a time to give thanks to nature and ancestors for a successful harvest and protection throughout the year.
  • Like Ubhauli, it features the Sakela dance, ritual offerings, and feasting, reinforcing the Kirat bond with the land and their gods.
  • Udhauli is also a marker of identity and resistance, especially in urban settings where Kirat youth use the occasion to reclaim and celebrate their heritage.

A Living Culture

The culture of the Kirat people is expressed through oral poetry, drumming, festive attire, and ritual dances that often depict daily life, agricultural work, and harmony with nature. Despite modern pressures, these communities are actively preserving their traditions, and festivals like Ubhauli and Udhauli continue to be powerful affirmations of identity.

For travelers and researchers alike, exploring Eastern Nepal offers a chance to experience a living indigenous culture that is unlike any other in the Himalayas—deeply spiritual, ecological, and celebratory in nature.

📌 Festival Info Box: Ubhauli & Udhauli

  • Ubhauli Time: April–May (start of planting season)
  • Udhauli Time: November–December (post-harvest season)
  • Who Celebrates: Kirat communities (Rai, Limbu, Sunuwar, Yakkha)
  • Where: Eastern Nepal, including districts like Bhojpur, Khotang, Dhankuta, Ilam, and in Kathmandu among diaspora communities
  • What to Expect:
    • Traditional Sakela dance in community circles
    • Ritual offerings to nature deities and ancestors
    • Music with traditional instruments (dhol, jhyali)
    • Bright cultural attire with feathered headdresses and jewelry
  • Interesting Facts:
    • The Sakela dance mimics the natural and agricultural world
    • These festivals reflect animistic traditions that predate major world religions
    • Ubhauli and Udhauli are being recognized as national holidays in some parts of Nepal