Kathmandu, September 4
President Ramchandra Paudel has said that indigenous Nepali festivals play an important role in fostering social harmony.
Extending his best wishes on the occasion of the Gaura festival, President Paudel said that folk traditions and cultural festivals have helped promote unity in diversity, social and cultural solidarity, and tolerance.
He said the Gaura festival contributes to strengthening national unity by bringing families and communities together, preserving cultural traditions, and fostering spiritual faith, happiness and peace in people’s lives.
The President expressed the belief that the festival helps reunite separated couples, promotes a sense of brotherhood, and strengthens the bond between husbands and wives.
Gaura Parba is celebrated with special significance every year in the western and far-western regions of Nepal from the fifth to the eighth day of the bright fortnight of Bhadra according to the lunar calendar.
During the festival, devotees observe fasts and worship Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, also known as Gaura. Biruda—a mixture of five types of grains and legumes, including wheat, paddy, peas, black gram and horse gram—is offered as prasad (sacred food) and consumed as part of the festivities. Devotees also offer prayers for human well-being, agricultural prosperity and family welfare.
On the occasion of Gaura, local communities gather to share their joys and sorrows through traditional folk songs and dances, including Deuda and Dhamari, performed in the local dialect.
—RSS
