Tradition of coating houses with red soil for Dashain fading away

Even as Dashain, the great festival of Nepalis, has begun, the old custom of plastering houses with red soil, khato and kamero is fading away in the villages.

As cement and concrete houses have started to be built even in villages, the use of paint has increased in place of soil. Since ancient times, decorating and plastering houses was the first task done before or at the start of Dashain. This custom of plastering was practiced on traditional-style houses built using stone, soil and wood.

Until a few years ago, residents of Dhankuta used to travel to places where sticky red soil was found and carry it back before Dashain. Now, however, houses neatly finished with such soil plaster are rarely seen.