On Saturday night, Bandipur, a renowned tourist and cultural town in Tanahun, showcased the vibrant Bagh Jatra festival. Organized by the Khadgamai Cultural Family, the event was held to preserve and promote cultural heritage. Invitations for the festival were distributed to the public earlier in the day.
Sujan Shrestha, Secretary of the cultural family, emphasized that the Bagh Jatra was held to safeguard and promote local customs and traditions. “Our culture and traditions should not be allowed to fade away; they must be preserved,” Shrestha stated.
The festival featured performances depicting the traditional story of the Bagh Jatra, where a tiger is chased and killed by a hunter. Participants from the Newar community in Bandipur took on various roles including the tiger, doctor, nurse, hunter, wrestler, and king, adding to the authenticity and vibrancy of the event.
Gehendra Pradhan, Chairperson of the cultural family, highlighted the Newar community’s ongoing efforts to preserve local festivals and traditions. He noted that the Bagh Jatra is performed to showcase the triumph of the hunter over the troublesome tiger.
Kisan Pradhan, Chairman of the Newar Community Association of Bandipur, remarked that the preservation of such festivals significantly contributes to the promotion of tourism in the area. The Newar community has been performing various festivals in Bandipur for approximately 250 years.
The migration of Newars from Bhaktapur has led to the preservation of their cultural practices in Bandipur. They continue to celebrate various festivals in the Bhaktapur style, including the Biscuit Jatra during the New Year, alongside other traditional celebrations such as Lakhe Nach, Gai Jatra, Bagh Jatra, and Ropai Jatra.
The town’s name, Bandipur, reflects its linguistic roots in the Magar language, where “Ban” means jungle and “Di” means water. Historically, after the Magar community began to migrate, the presence of the Newar community increased, enriching the cultural landscape of Bandipur.
Today, Bandipur houses 134 Newar families who have constructed homes in the Bhaktapur style. The Newar community’s continued celebration of festivals such as Bagh Jatra highlights the rich cultural tapestry that defines Bandipur, a town deeply rooted in its traditions and history.
