The Handigaon Gala

By Sanjit Bhakta Pradhananga / Photo: Rabindra Prajapati (ECS Media) 2014-10-22

The nation’s biggest costume party takes place in one of its oldest settlements.


Handigaon knows how to throw a party. Within this jovial festive valley, Handigoan is the capital of celebrations. With at least 32 various jatras commemorated throughout the year, the residents of this ancient settlement have a festival for every occasion and every turning season. They might not make it to the tourist guidebooks, they may lay ignored and forgotten by the valley locals, but it scarcely matters. The residents of Handigoan are bound together by wonderful traditions refined by millenniums of continued practice, and boy do they know how to throw a party!

Every year, during the month of Bhadra (August-September) Handigoan gears up for another string of festivities. After the Gai Jatra is done and dusted and the enigmatic Khadga Jatra weaves through its streets, the locals cap it off with an evening of laughter, drinking and merry-making with the highly anticipated Ropain Jatra. No one knows when this tradition started. But one thing is certain, it is at least a millennium old. Before the Halloween and masked Masquerade parties became popular staples in the west, the residents of Handigaon were already throwing a crazy costume party. Here we give you a sneak-peak into this year’s jovial craziness. 
 

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