With the aim of preserving and promoting Khas civilization, language, culture and historical identity, Khas Day and Khas New Year were celebrated on Thursday in Sinja Rural Municipality of Jumla on the occasion of Sawan Sankranti. The rural municipality has been officially celebrating Sawan Sankranti as Khas Day since 2079 BS. The rural municipality chair Purna Prasad Dhital informed that the municipality has also been giving a public holiday on Khas Day.

According to chair Dhital, a market and a large cultural program have been organized in the municipality center, Narakot. Local men and women from the villages come to the market dressed in Khas costumes and carry their home-grown products. This is seen to highlight the love of ancestors for agriculture.

Stating that Sawane Sankranti is one of the most important cultural festivals of the Khas community, Chairman Dhital said, “This day is not only interpreted as the beginning of the Khas New Year but also as a historical day linked to social, economic, cultural and environmental management.”

According to him, traditionally, on Sawane Sankranti, village contracts were concluded and necessary policies were formulated for the coming year. On this day, it is customary to collectively decide which pasture, pasture and pasture to take cattle such as cows, sheep, buffaloes and horses. Chairman Dhital says that this tradition is still alive in many villages of Karnali.

Sawane Sankranti is also known as a day to strengthen economic discipline in the Khas community. On this day, it is customary to settle the accounts of the village’s income and expenditure, fines and penalties, taxes and other economic transactions and to recover necessary dues. In memory of the day it played an important role in organizing community management, Sinja Rural Municipality has started celebrating Sawan Sankranti as Khas Diwas.

Sawan Sankranti is also a festival linked to tourism and nature. The saying ‘Alka Lek Jaula, Chiso Pani Khaula’ is still popular among the community. It is believed that the tradition of farmers climbing to Lek, Kharka and Patan to escape the heat of the valley, raising livestock, eating mountain vegetables and fruits, tasting cold water and dairy products, and enjoying the colorful flowers blooming in the forests and the natural beauty of the Himalayas began from this day.

Local farmer Hari Bahadur Thapa said that on this day, farmers tired of agricultural work such as planting and plowing have a tradition of cleaning their houses and yards, removing old garbage and ‘throwing away the loot’. ‘This carries a cultural belief that both the body and mind are purified and new energy is gained,’ he added.

Similarly, experts say that the tradition of lighting torches (torches) in every house in the evening is also an important aspect of Khas culture. The tradition of lighting torches as a symbol of victory, courage and community unity, reciting songs in a fun style, laughing and joking and performing cultural activities has made this festival special.