Sakela

Sakela
Khambu Rai boy and girl performing Sakela Sili dance in Chawrasta Darjeeling
Also called
Observed byKirat Khambu Rais around the world
ObservancesSakela sili, cultural group dance, religious services, family meetings, relative meetings
BeginsSakela Udhauli (full moon day of Mangsir ) and Sakela Ubhauli (full moon day of Baishak)
EndsAfter 15 days
2024 date
Rai Community of Sikkim representing Tableau of Sakewa Sili on 63rd Indian Republic Day 2012 Rajpath New Delhi

Sakela (Nepali: साकेला) is one of the main festival of Khambu Rai people, an ethnic group indigenous to Eastern Nepal and Sikkim, Kalimpong, and Darjeeling regions of India. Sakela is celebrated twice a year and is distinguished by two names Ubhauli and Udhauli. Sakela Ubhauli is celebrated during Baisakh Purnima (full moon day in the month of Baisakh) and Sakela Udhauli is celebrated during the full moon day in the month of Mangsir.[1][2][3]

  1. ^ Gaenszle, Martin (1997). "Changing concepts of ethnic identity among the Mewahang Rai". Nationalism and Ethnicity in a Hindu Kingdom. The Politics of Culture in Contemporary Nepal: 351–373.
  2. ^ Schlemmer, Grégoire (2004). "New past for the sake of a better future : re-inventing the history of the Kirant in East Nepal". European Bulletin of Himalayan Research. 25: 119–144.
  3. ^ "Dancing to Ubhauli tunes". The Kathmandu Post. May 17, 2011. Retrieved 8 May 2012.