Ghost Festival (भुतमेला, bhoot mela) takes place on the full moon day of the month of
Kartik (October/November) in
Siraha
Siraha ( Nepali: , ) is the headquarters and municipality of Siraha District, a part of Madhesh Province , Nepal. Siraha had a population of 28,442 according to the census of 2011. and a population of 82,531 as of 2015.The current population of Sir ...
district of
Nepal at the
Kamala River
The Kamala River (Hindi and ne, कमला नदी kamalā nadī) originates from Nepal and flows through Indian state of Bihar.
Course
The Kamala originates from Churia Range near Maithan which is near Sindhuli Gadhi in Sindhuli District o ...
. In this festival, the shamans cure any illness caused by their family deity, or by evil people in their village by using
tantric power.
History
The festival is a centuries-old tradition celebrated every year on the full moon day of Kartik to control the influence of ghosts and ''
Boksi A boksi (Nepali: बोक्सी) is a person who has knowledge of witchcraft, ''Tuna Muna'' and Tantra. According to Tantra-shastra and Shivapurana, a boksi or boksa is a woman/ man who is different from normal gods or goddesses and has their o ...
''. The festival occurs in the same time as
Dashain. The origin of this festival is not known.
Activities
Thousands of people, mostly from
Dhanusha District and
India take part in the event. During the night, people chant mantras while shamans practice various rituals near the temple of
Sonamai (सोनामाई). Shamans classify the possessions into two groups. First one is the people possessed by the soul of another person who suffered an untimely or unwanted death (ghosts). Second, are the ones possessed by their lineage to god or goddess and therefore considered godly.
Food and temporary shelters are generally provided by the organization committee for the pilgrimages.
Controversy
The practice is considered to be superstitious and victimizing the marginalized community such as the lower caste
Dalit community.
References
Festivals in Nepal
Dhanusha District
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