Cultural festival dating back 1,417 years suspended over COVID-19 fear

A cultural festival that dates back to 1,417 years has been suspended this time over fears of the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. The festival, Panauti Jatra (Jya Punhi), is considered the oldest festival of Nepal which depicts ‘sexual evocation’.

This festival used to take place at the historic town Panauti for three days on the occasion of the full moon in the month of Jeth.

The festival which also has religious aspects it draws a large number of devotees from Kavrepalanchok district, other neighboring districts as well as the capital.

The Panauti municipality has decided not to organize this festival this year as the congregation of a large number of people heightened the risk of COVID-19 and it will organize only the Kshema Puja (worship seeking forgiveness) this year instead, municipality’s senior administrative officer Indra Prasad Adhikari said. He said the Kshema Puja would also be organized by adopting safety protocols including social distancing.