Khokana is the small Newari town in Lalitpur, where the ethnic-religious practices were performed uniquely in contrast to the other newar community people living in other regions of Nepal. Shikali Jatra is the specific festival celebrated by the newar community living in Khokana. This festival Shigali Jatra celebrated over this place is in replace to Nepalese biggest festival Dashain.
Shikali Jatra is the 5-day festival, celebrated in the name of goddess Shikali also known as “Ajima” or mother goddess. The locals masked make up represents 14 gods and goddesses of the Hindu pantheon and these people perform the ritual dance around the alleys of Khokana.
In Khokana there is 3 major bunch, Tagu, Salagu, and Jagu. On the first day of Jatra, 4 virgin boys from the bunch Tagu and Salagu get ready for the worship ceremony to goddess Shikali. The temple of Shikali is placed in some distance away to the Shikali ground and the locals of Khokana celebrate this Jatra in a grand way. The locals of this place celebrated Dashain as the Janaipurnima. There is also the tradition of sacrificing the animal in the name of goddess Shikali during the Jatra period.
The idol of Goddess Rudryani as the wooden chariot is rounded over the alleys of the city and in turn places in front of the Shikali temple during the Jatra.
In Nepali, the Jatra is known as “Choyala Bu“. Also, there is tradition of sacrificing the goat, by drowning it into the pond and group of tole of Khokana fights to conquer it. Any tole that is success to conquer the goat gets a chance to perform Kha Pyakha in the occasion of Shikali Jatra.
If you love to explore Nepalese tradition and culture, especially the Newari culture then you must prepare the good itinerary for the day trip to Khokana, specifically in the occasion of Jatra’s such as Shikali Jatra. Exploring such culture and tradition surely beneficial and knowledgable to you.
