GUWAHATI, Dec 19 � Sakela Udhawli, the harvest festival of Khambus, was celebrated at Pawai Bongaon, Ketetong near Margherita in Tinsukia, recently, a press release stated.
Organised by the Kirat Rai Mahasabha, Assam, and supported by the Gorkha civil society organisations of the region, the day-long festival began with the offering of prayers to ancestors and deity, followed by Silli group dances. Khambu youths performed rituals in the presence of the Mangpa and offered prayers to Paruhaang and Sumnima for the well-being of the society. Several thousand Khambus, being nature worshippers, assembled to celebrate the Sakela, which is a celebration, and a prayer to Mother Nature for healthy crops and protection from natural calamities. Therefore, the festival is also known as �Bhumi Puja�.
Sakela Udhawli is celebrated in the month of November and December after a full moon day, which is harvest season, as a thanksgiving to Nature for providing them a good harvest.
The open session of the day-long celebration was presided over by Siddhiman Thulung while Deo Kumar Rai was the keynote speaker. The latter spoke at length about the Kirat Khambu Rai culture and traditions.
Abhijeet Khambu Rai, who was elected as the general secretary of the Kirat Rai Mahasabha, Assam, informed the gathering about the mission, vision and current focus of the organisation and its structure. The convenor of the North East Kirat Rai Sanskritik Sansthan and a central executive member of the All Assam Gorkha Students� Union (AAGSU), Nanda Kirati Dewan, gracing the occasion as the guest of honour, and said, �The formation of Kirati Rai Mahasabha, Assam, and its maiden Sakela celebrations here is a testimony of the amalgamation of Khambus in an organisation to research and study, follow and most importantly preserve its culture and tradition. The celebrations today is proof that Kiratis are indigenous and sons of the soil in Assam since time immemorial and are deserving scheduled tribes of the country. Development and uplift of tribes of Assam like Khambu, Limbu, Tamang, Mangar, Gurung, etc., will definitely strengthen the AAGSU.� He added that Gorkhas in Assam today are not just a tribe or caste, but a composite society and community. He further stressed that Khambus of Assam should join the national demand of inclusion of Khambus in the Central Scheduled Tribe list under Article 342 of the Indian Constitution.
Prem Sampang, president of the Mahasabha, former president of Assam Kirat Sammelan, Pradip Limboo, senior advocate Rajesh Rai, litterateur Shanta Bahadur Dewan, Bahadur Loh were some of the invited guests who spoke on the occasion. Highlights of the cultural evening were child celebrity singer Nandita Rai and dance performance by Sakela Silli Dance group led by Rahul Lamsong Rai. Guest artiste Parashmani Rai of Zee Bangla Sa Re Ga Ma fame from Darjeeling also performed in the evening.