Organized by the Bhaktapur Tourism Development Committee (BTDC), the event is observed each year on the full moon day of the Sakimana Punhi, when farmers offer their harvest to Mother Earth with respect and thanks.
The Newar community observes the day by making figures of deities with fried grains and singing religious hymns.[break]
Coinciding with this religious festivity, BTDC hosts a number of cultural activities, most of which are dance performances by the locals of Bhaktapur.
“They include dances such as Mahakali Devi, Monkey, Lakhe, Kala Bhairav along with typical Dhime dances,” highlights Chief Executive Officer Basudev Lamichhane of the Committee.
The goal of the event, on one hand, is to spread the importance of preserving the traditional dances that are part of Nepal’s intangible cultural heritage, and the other is to attract tourists to the historical city.
“Our research has shown that visitors spend only around two to three hours at maximum when they come to Bhaktapur,” explains Lamichhane and adds, “A night event would, however, encourage them to stay overnight.”
BTDC expects around 1,000 visitors this year. In terms of hospitality, Bhaktapur’s lodges and hotels, which are conveniently located around the Durbar Square’s vicinity, can jointly accommodate up to 700 guests.
So make your plans right away and get over to the Bhaktapur Durbar Square by 5 pm on Sunday because that is when the annual program is set to kick off. Take the ‘purano bato’ (old way: sallaghari-military camp-fire station-Siddhi Pokhari-movie hall route to the Durbar Square gates) to avoid traffic and dust.
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