KATHMANDU: The Kirat Rai community is observing the Ubhauli festival across the country today on the occasion of Baisakh Shukla Purnima, marking a key cultural and agricultural event.

The festival is traditionally celebrated by worshipping nature at local Bhumesthan, or sacred earth deity sites, with prayers offered for a successful planting season. It reflects the community’s deep connection with nature and the agricultural cycle.

Ubhauli, which signifies upward movement, is rooted in the belief that as temperatures rise, people, birds, and wildlife move from lowlands to higher regions. The day is also known as Chandi Purnima, featuring traditional performances such as the Chandi dance and the Sakela Sili, widely practiced among Kirat groups.

In Lalitpur, devotees gathered at Hattiban for collective worship, dressed in traditional attire and participating in cultural dances. The festival is seen as a celebration of gratitude toward nature while reinforcing community bonds and cultural identity.

Festival in photos: