Rain disrupts Bajura's Ananate fair, dates pushed back

Due to continuous rainfall, the dates of the Ananate fair held in Bajura's district headquarters Martadi and surrounding areas have been changed. The fair, originally scheduled for Asoj 11 and 12, will now be held on Asoj 15 and 16.

The decision to change the dates was made at an all-party meeting held on Saturday under the chairmanship of Chandra Bahadur Thapa, ward chair of Badimalika Municipality-8. The meeting also formed a seven-member fair management committee, again coordinated by Ward Chair Thapa.

The meeting stated that anyone attempting to disrupt the fair by selling, distributing or consuming alcohol during the event would face action under prevailing law.

In Bajura, the Ananate fair is celebrated as a major festival after Dashain. According to local expert Sher Bahadur Rawal, the fair is celebrated to mark the joy of the Pandavas' victory over the Kauravas in the Mahabharata war. Held over three to five days, the fair features Lakhe dance, magal songs, and discussions of the Pandavas' battle skills.

Tradition holds that the fair begins on the day the 16-day Shraddha period starts. Legend has it that the name Ananate evolved from a phrase meaning 'end of injustice.' Rawal said that on the full moon day, people wear ananta threads and hold bhajan-kirtan sessions, recalling the benevolent deeds of great figures through Bajura's traditional ballads.

The festival is also observed as an occasion to meet relatives and forge new friendships. According to the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, moderate to heavy rain with thunder is likely today as well in many hilly and mountainous areas of Sudurpashchim Province.