The “Jivit Devta” or living goddess festival, known as the “Nga Lakegu Jatra” (fish-catching festival), is being celebrated in the historical and tourist town of Dhulikhel, Kavrepalanchok, starting today. According to legend, the festival, which has been celebrated for centuries, includes a procession that takes place after the fish-catching event in Dhulikhel’s main market, followed by the journey of the goddess to Srikhanda Pur and Chokote. Every year, youth and students attend the Nga Lakegu Jatra to seek blessings for health and knowledge from the goddess.
On the occasion of the festival, the municipality declared Tuesday a local holiday. The tradition involves receiving offerings from the goddess, such as a goat, multi-colored threads, black tika, and three-colored threads, and devotees contribute donations according to their capacity. This ritual is believed to bring peace, prosperity, and success in business when the goddess is worshipped during the construction of new homes or the start of new businesses in Dhulikhel.
It is also believed that the financial and material contributions of devotees during the festival help repay the debts of the goddess. In the year when the “Shri 5 Government” declared Dhulikhel Village as a municipality, a grand feast was held in honor of the goddess. According to Mayor Ashok Byanju, the residents of Dhulikhel have been worshipping the goddess as their family deity, and the Ndalgakegu Jatra is considered the main festival of the town.
During the festival, the municipality offers sacrifices, including a goat, clothes, and eggs, and provides offerings like Kisli and Mughaha (pig). The festival showcases themes of family importance, women’s anger, married life, childhood behavior, cleanliness education, collective spirit, vegetarian/non-vegetarian beliefs, women’s beauty, love, respect, and the victory of truth over falsehood, among others. The festival includes dancing in bare feet to the beat of drums and dramatic performances.
To ensure the festival is conducted safely and civilly while preserving local art and culture, the local government has been coordinating its efforts. The Nga Lakegu Jatra is also celebrated in other areas such as Nala, Banepa, Srikhanda Pur, Chokote, and Panauti. In the cultural city of Bhaktapur, the festival is similarly celebrated as part of its historical and famous traditions. According to records, the Nga Lakegu Jatra is one of the longest festivals in Nepal. Every year, the festival and its rituals take place according to a specific calendar, with the celebration continuing for eight months in some places and four months in others. Additionally, the festival is held at various locations within Kathmandu, including Pashupati, Jay Bageshwari, Madhyapur Thimi, Tokha, Gokarn, Sankhu, Sanga, and Bhaktapur.
