Wadangmet (Mangsire) Festival of the Athpahariya
The main festival of the Athpahariya community living primarily in Dhankuta Municipality, Wadangmet (Mangsire), has begun. According to Athpahariya priest Umesh Rai, the festival started on Thursday after raising the Manglang at the Athpahariya “Thulo Ghar,” also called the 52-hearth house.
Pilgrimage to Barahakshetra
As part of the festival, participants set out from Dhankuta toward Barahakshetra on Sunday. They reach Barahakshetra on Monday after a two-day foot journey, spending the night at Simaliwas on the way.
At Barahakshetra on Monday, they shave head and beard at the Kokaha Khola, bathe, have darshan of Lord Baraha, and stay there for the night. On Tuesday, they return carrying the deity and spend the night at Mulghat in Dhankuta Municipality Ward No. 9, reaching home on Wednesday, according to Surya Athpahariya, central vice-chair of the Athpahariya Society.
Those remaining in Dhankuta perform the Marga Puja on Tuesday.
Full Moon Day and Observances
On Wednesday, the full moon day, after returning home in the morning, a ritual is performed to release misfortunes. Feasting, singing, and dancing follow, and this continues until the new moon (Amavasya).
Traditional Dances
During the festival, the three Athpahariya “pacha” (lineages)—Humwark, Chhirlinge, and Khawado—perform the ancestral Dalle dance.
Significance
Among the three Athpahariya festivals—Baisaakhe, Bhadaure, and Mangsire—Wadangmet (Mangsire) is the most important.
Dhankuta Festival