The traditional dances of Bhairav, Mahakali, Nilbarahi, and other deities, which began in various parts of Madhyapur Thimi Municipality after Gaijatra, concluded this morning. These dances, rooted in tantric rituals and believed to manifest divine powers, were performed in different locations within the municipality.
The dances commenced on Bhadra Krishna Dwitiya (Gulaga Dwitiya) and continued through the night until Panchami, with Nilbarahi being performed in Bode, Mahakali in Nagadesh, and Layaku Bhaila and Thimi Bhaila in Thimi. According to cultural expert Arjun Shrestha, this tradition has been maintained to ward off evil spirits, ghosts, and other malevolent entities from the community. Tantric scholars invoke the deities through rituals and keep them awake throughout the night, guiding them to dance through the streets, thereby driving away these malevolent forces.
This year, the Thimi Bhaila (Thimi Bhairav) dance was performed from Tahanani in Thimi, Mahakali in Nagadesh, and Nilbarahi in Bode. Local resident Dil Krishna Prajapati shared that the Nilbarahi dance, which has never been interrupted even during national crises, also concluded this morning. Despite previous interruptions, the Layaku Bhaila and Mahakali dances were successfully performed this year.
For the first time in nearly two decades, the Thimi Bhaila Pyakhan was showcased from Tahanani in Madhyapur Thimi-5. The Mahakali dance returned to the stage after five years. According to cultural expert Shrestha, more than 50 participants don various masks, symbolizing deities invoked through tantric rituals, and perform these dances in sync with traditional music, believed to awaken divine powers.
During the Nilbarahi dance, the tradition of dancing through the night and receiving offerings from the locals in the morning has been upheld, according to resident Dil Krishna Prajapati. The festival spanned four sleepless nights, with the deities being celebrated in a continuous cycle supported by the local community.
