Dhangadhi, Mar. 18: Radhe Rana, 65, from Dhangadhi village is now enjoying the traditional Hori festival in her home village.

During his youth, Rana actively participated in the Hori dance with great enthusiasm. His heart remains deeply attached to it, and wherever there is a Hori dance, he reaches there.

“I used to enjoy dancing in my youth,” he said, recalling the past at the Hori dance event held in Dhangadhi village of Dhangadhi Sub-Metropolitan City-8. “Nowadays, I cannot dance due to my age—my legs have become weak,” he added. 

Many elders like Rana were enjoying the Hori dance, while the youth like Asmita Rana, were actively participating in it. Asmita was dancing joyfully with her friends, matching each step with the beats of the drums.  

Currently, Rana Tharu settlements in Kailali and Kanchanpur districts are buzzing with the rhythm of the Hori dance. People of all ages, from children to the elderly, are enjoying the festivities. 

From noon to evening, the musical sounds of the Dholak echo through the villages inhabited by the Rana Tharu community, blending with the rhythm of Hori songs.

Deputy Mayor of Dhangadhi Sub-Metropolitan City, Kandakala Rana, highlighted that the best part of the Hori dance is that people of all age groups dance together.

Children also expressed their excitement about dancing with elders during the festival. Nancy Rana, a fourth-grade student, shared, “It is a lot of fun to dance in Hori.”

Not only the people of the Rana Tharu community but also people from other nearby communities join the dance. 

Trilochan Bhatta from Dhangadhi village mentioned that he has been participating in the Rana Tharu community’s Hori dance for the past three years.

Hori is the biggest festival of the Rana Tharu community, celebrated for one month and eight days.

According to Bhalmansa Bhajji Rana of Dhangadhi village, the festival begins on the full moon day of  February.

He explained that Jinda Hori is celebrated for a month, from Magh Purnima to Falgun Purnima, during which Hori dance performances take place at night.

He further stated that after Holika Dahan during Holi, Mari Hori begins and lasts for eight days.

On the eighth day of Mari Hori, men break the khakhdehara, marking the end of the Hori celebrations. “Although men conclude Hori by breaking the khakhdehara, women continue their celebrations until the Charain of Chaitra month according to local calendar,” he added.