Udhauli Sakela in Hattiban
Udhauli sakela in Hattiban, Kathmandu, 10.12.2011. Sakela puja (also bhume or bhumi puja) is usually celebrated twice a year, before sowing and at harvest. The respective seasons are called ubhauli (the rising season when the birds fly north) and udhauli (the falling season when the birds fly south). The ritual festival is an agricultural fertility rite with offerings to the female Sakela deity that in most cases is represented in stones. Sakela is celebrated in the villages of the Rai where its performance differs in its details from place to place, but since the 1990s latest it is also celebrated as a large communal festival in Kathmandu. Kathmandu sakela puja is performed in the temple on the hill at Hattiban south of Satobato. After the actual offerings and first dances on the hill, people often transfer to other places to continue dancing (for instance to Nakipot sports ground). Other, often separately organized major sakela dance events take place in Thundikhel, the large ground next to the army parade ground in central Kathmandu.
group:Limbu
group:Rai
group:Sunuwar
group:Yakkha
organizer:Kirat Rai Yayokkha
researcher:Alban von Stockhausen
researcher:Chatur Bhakta Rai
researcher:Marion Wettstein
ritual-type:agrarian-cycle>festival:udhauli
ritual-type:agrarian-cycle>ritual:bhume>event-step:worship
ritual-type:ancestral
ritual-type:ancestral>ritual:sakela dance
ritual-type:kirat
The official ritual specialist or shaman of the Kirat Rai Yayokkha performing sakela puja at Hattiban temple
The official ritual specialist or shaman of the Kirat Rai Yayokkha performing sakela puja at Hattiban temple
Participants at sakela puja at Hattiban temple
The official ritual specialist or shaman of the Kirat Rai Yayokkha performing sakela puja at Hattiban temple
The official ritual specialist or shaman of the Kirat Rai Yayokkha performing sakela puja at Hattiban temple
Sunuwar participants placing offerings for the sakela puja at Hattiban temple
Sunuwar participants placing offerings for the sakela puja at Hattiban temple
Sunuwar participants placing offerings for the sakela puja at Hattiban temple
Participants placing offerings for the sakela puja at Hattiban temple
Participants placing offerings for the sakela puja at Hattiban temple
Participants placing offerings for the sakela puja at Hattiban temple
Sunuwar participants placing offerings for the sakela puja at Hattiban temple
Offerings for the sakela puja at Hattiban temple
Sunuwar participants at sakela puja at Hattiban temple
Sunuwar participants at sakela puja at Hattiban temple
Sunuwar participants at sakela puja at Hattiban temple
Sunuwar participants at sakela puja at Hattiban temple
Participants placing offerings for the sakela puja at Hattiban temple
Participants placing offerings for the sakela puja at Hattiban temple
Participants placing offerings for the sakela puja at Hattiban temple
Offerings for the sakela puja at Hattiban temple
Offial sign of the Kirat Yakka Chumma organization on the wall above one of the four entrances of the temple
Kirat Hattiban temple from the outside
Kirat Hattiban temple from the inside
Kirat Hattiban temple from the inside
Kirat Hattiban temple from the inside
Participants placing offerings for the sakela puja at Hattiban temple
Participants placing offerings for the sakela puja at Hattiban temple
Young Sunuwar sakela dancers in traditional costumes accompanied by drummers at Hattiban udhauli celebration
Young Sunuwar sakela dancers in traditional costumes accompanied by drummers at Hattiban udhauli celebration
Young Sunuwar sakela dancers in traditional costumes accompanied by drummers at Hattiban udhauli celebration
Rai sakela dancers at Hattiban udhauli celebration
Sakela dancers at Hattiban udhauli celebration
Offial sign of the Kirat Rai Yayokkha organization on the wall above one of the four entrances of the temple
Offial sign of the Kirat Sunuwar Welfare Society on the wall above one of the four entrances of the temple
Drums for udhauli celebration at Hattiban
Drums for udhauli celebration at Hattiban
Limbu participant placing offerings for the sakela puja at Hattiban temple
Limbu participant placing offerings for the sakela puja at Hattiban temple
Limbu participant placing offerings for the sakela puja at Hattiban temple
Limbu participant placing offerings for the sakela puja at Hattiban temple
Limbu participant placing offerings for the sakela puja at Hattiban temple
Limbu participants placing offerings for the sakela puja at Hattiban temple
Limbu participants placing offerings for the sakela puja at Hattiban temple
Limbu participants placing offerings for the sakela puja at Hattiban temple
Limbu participants placing offerings for the sakela puja at Hattiban temple
Limbu participants placing offerings for the sakela puja at Hattiban temple
Limbu participants placing offerings for the sakela puja at Hattiban temple
Limbu participants placing offerings for the sakela puja at Hattiban temple
Limbu participants placing offerings for the sakela puja at Hattiban temple
Kirat Hattiban temple from the inside
Kirat Hattiban temple from the inside
Kirat Hattiban temple from the inside
Offial sign of the Kirat Yakhtung Chumlung organization on the wall above one of the four entrances of the temple
Offering spot of the Limbu Yakhtung Chumlung organization at the side of the path a few septs outside the Hattiban temple
Offering spot of the Limbu Yakhtung Chumlung organization at the side of the path a few septs outside the Hattiban temple
Offering spot of the Limbu Yakhtung Chumlung organization at the side of the path a few septs outside the Hattiban temple
Offering spot of the Limbu Yakhtung Chumlung organization at the side of the path a few septs outside the Hattiban temple
Offering spot of the Limbu Yakhtung Chumlung organization at the side of the path a few septs outside the Hattiban temple
Offering spot of the Limbu Yakhtung Chumlung organization at the side of the path a few septs outside the Hattiban temple
Offering spot of the Limbu Yakhtung Chumlung organization at the side of the path a few septs outside the Hattiban temple
Offering spot of the Limbu Yakhtung Chumlung organization at the side of the path a few septs outside the Hattiban temple
Offering spot of the Limbu Yakhtung Chumlung organization at the side of the path a few septs outside the Hattiban temple
Offering spot of the Limbu Yakhtung Chumlung organization at the side of the path a few septs outside the Hattiban temple
Offering spot of the Limbu Yakhtung Chumlung organization at the side of the path a few septs outside the Hattiban temple
Offering spot of the Limbu Yakhtung Chumlung organization at the side of the path a few septs outside the Hattiban temple
Offering spot of the Limbu Yakhtung Chumlung organization at the side of the path a few septs outside the Hattiban temple
Offering spot of the Limbu Yakhtung Chumlung organization at the side of the path a few septs outside the Hattiban temple
Offering spot of the Limbu Yakhtung Chumlung organization at the side of the path a few septs outside the Hattiban temple
Offering spot of the Limbu Yakhtung Chumlung organization at the side of the path a few septs outside the Hattiban temple
Offering spot of the Limbu Yakhtung Chumlung organization at the side of the path a few septs outside the Hattiban temple
Offering spot of the Limbu Yakhtung Chumlung organization at the side of the path a few septs outside the Hattiban temple
Offering spot of the Limbu Yakhtung Chumlung organization at the side of the path a few septs outside the Hattiban temple
Offering spot of the Limbu Yakhtung Chumlung organization at the side of the path a few septs outside the Hattiban temple
Offering spot of the Limbu Yakhtung Chumlung organization at the side of the path a few septs outside the Hattiban temple
Offering spot of the Limbu Yakhtung Chumlung organization at the side of the path a few septs outside the Hattiban temple
Offering spot of the Limbu Yakhtung Chumlung organization at the side of the path a few septs outside the Hattiban temple
Sunuwar sakela dancers in traditional costumes
Sunuwar sakela dancers in traditional costumes
Sunuwar sakela dancers in traditional costumes
Sunuwar sakela dancers in traditional costumes
Sunuwar sakela dancers in traditional costumes
Sunuwar sakela dancers in traditional costumes
Sunuwar sakela dancers in traditional costumes
Sunuwar sakela dancers in traditional costumes
Sunuwar sakela dancers in traditional costumes
Sunuwar sakela dancers in traditional costumes
Sunuwar sakela dancers in traditional costumes
Sunuwar sakela dancers in traditional costumes
Sunuwar sakela dancers in traditional costumes
Sunuwar sakela dancers in traditional costumes
Sunuwar sakela dancers in traditional costumes
Sunuwar sakela dancers in traditional costumes
Sunuwar sakela dancers in traditional costumes
Sunuwar sakela dancers in traditional costumes
Sunuwar sakela dancers in traditional costumes
Sunuwar sakela dancers in traditional costumes
Sunuwar sakela dancers in traditional costumes
Sunuwar sakela dancers in traditional costumes
Sunuwar sakela dancers in traditional costumes
Sunuwar sakela dancers in traditional costumes
Sunuwar sakela dancers in traditional costumes
Sunuwar sakela dancers in traditional costumes
Sunuwar sakela dancers in traditional costumes
Sunuwar sakela dancers in traditional costumes
Sunuwar sakela dancers in traditional costumes
Sunuwar sakela dancers in traditional costumes
Sunuwar sakela dancers in traditional costumes
Sunuwar sakela dancers in traditional costumes
Sunuwar drum at sakela
Sunuwar participants at sakela
Sunuwar participants at sakela
Rai dancers at sakela at Hattiban
Rai dancers at sakela at Hattiban
Rai dancers at sakela at Hattiban
Rai dancers at sakela at Hattiban
Rai dancers at sakela at Hattiban
Rai dancers at sakela at Hattiban
Rai dancers at sakela at Hattiban
Sunuwar drummers at sakela festival at Hattiban
Sunuwar drummers at sakela festival at Hattiban
Sunuwar drummers at sakela festival at Hattiban
Local photographer at sakela puja
Drummers at sakela festival at Hattiban
Rai participant at sakela puja
Rai participant at sakela puja
Rai participant at sakela puja
Rai participant at sakela puja
Rai participant at sakela puja
Rai participant at sakela puja
Rai participant at sakela puja
Rai participant at sakela puja
Rai participant at sakela puja
Rai participant at sakela puja
Rai participant at sakela puja
Rai participant at sakela puja
Rai participant at sakela puja
Rai participant at sakela puja
Rai participant at sakela puja
Rai participant at sakela puja
Rai participant at sakela puja
Rai participant at sakela puja
Drummer at sakela puja
Rai participant at sakela puja
Rai participant at sakela puja
Rai participant at sakela puja
Participant at sakela puja
Limbu participant at sakela puja
Limbu participant at sakela puja
Limbu participant at sakela puja
Limbu participant at sakela puja
The official ritual specialist or shaman of the Kirat Rai Yayokkha giving tikka (blessing) at sakela puja
The official ritual specialist or shaman of the Kirat Rai Yayokkha giving tikka (blessing) at sakela puja
The official ritual specialist or shaman of the Kirat Rai Yayokkha giving tikka (blessing) at sakela puja
The official ritual specialist or shaman of the Kirat Rai Yayokkha giving tikka (blessing) at sakela puja
The official ritual specialist or shaman of the Kirat Rai Yayokkha in conversation during sakela puja
The official ritual specialist or shaman of the Kirat Rai Yayokkha in conversation during sakela puja
The official ritual specialist or shaman of the Kirat Rai Yayokkha during sakela puja
The official ritual specialist or shaman of the Kirat Rai Yayokkha during sakela puja
The official ritual specialist or shaman of the Kirat Rai Yayokkha during sakela puja
The official ritual specialist or shaman of the Kirat Rai Yayokkha during sakela puja
The official ritual specialist or shaman of the Kirat Rai Yayokkha during sakela puja
The official ritual specialist or shaman of the Kirat Rai Yayokkha during sakela puja
Rice tikka from Pandere
Participant at sakela puja
Participant at sakela puja
Ram Bahadur Thami at sakea puja
Ram Bahadur Thami at sakea puja
Limbu place of worship in Hattiban temple
The official ritual specialist or shaman of Kirat Yakhtung Chunglung performing sakela puja
The official ritual specialist or shaman of Kirat Yakhtung Chunglung performing sakela puja
Limbu place of worship inside the Hattiban temple
Offerings at the Limbu place of worship inside the Hattiban temple
Offerings at the Limbu place of worship inside the Hattiban temple
Tikka (blessings) given at sakela puja
Tikka (blessings) given at sakela puja
Tikka (blessings) given at sakela puja
Participant of the sakela puja
Participant of the sakela puja
Sunuwar drummers at the sakela puja
Offerings given at the sakela puja inside Hattiban temple
Offerings given at the sakela puja inside Hattiban temple
Offerings given at the sakela puja inside Hattiban temple
The official ritual specialist or shaman of the Kirat Rai Yayokkha with a participant during sakela puja
The official ritual specialist or shaman of the Kirat Rai Yayokkha with a participant during sakela puja
The official ritual specialist or shaman of the Kirat Rai Yayokkha with a participant during sakela puja
The official ritual specialist or shaman of the Kirat Rai Yayokkha with a participant during sakela puja
The official ritual specialist or shaman of the Kirat Rai Yayokkha with a participant during sakela puja
The official ritual specialist or shaman of the Kirat Rai Yayokkha with a participant during sakela puja
Participants at the sakela puja
Participants at the sakela puja
Participants at the sakela puja
Participant at the sakela puja
Participant at the sakela puja
Dancers and drummers at sakela puja
Dancers and drummers at sakela puja
Partial lunar eclipse on the day of the sakela puja
Partial lunar eclipse on the day of the sakela puja
Partial lunar eclipse on the day of the sakela puja
Partial lunar eclipse on the day of the sakela puja
Partial lunar eclipse on the day of the sakela puja
Partial lunar eclipse on the day of the sakela puja
Partial lunar eclipse on the day of the sakela puja
Partial lunar eclipse on the day of the sakela puja
Partial lunar eclipse on the day of the sakela puja
Partial lunar eclipse on the day of the sakela puja