In Lugum village of Rukum, it is customary to dance on the ground every evening from May 1st and to worship the 'Bhome Devta' on June 1st. Ex-soldier Veer Prasad Ghartimagar has built a public stage at this place at a cost of 50 lakhs.
After entering Rukum east from Baglung through Madhyapahari folk road, Lugum village is reached. This village is called 'Lugum' in the local language and is known as 'Lakum' by the government headquarters. Veerprasad Gharti Magar, an ex-Gorkha soldier, has built a big stage at Nachi near the village on the side of a paved and wide road.
Bhume is a big festival of the local Magar community. Every evening from May 1, Bhume dance is performed and 'Bhume Devta' is worshiped on June 1. During this festival, which is celebrated for a week, the place where Lugum dances is called 'Nachi'.
In this dance, Gharti built a stage where one can dance and watch dance at his own expense. The platform built by Gharti has been named 'Bhume Manch'.
Gharti spent 17 years (2045 to 2062) in the British Gurkha platoon and 12 years (2068 to 2080) in the British Army. While he was in Britain, he sent money and started the work of expanding the space for dancing. "When I was in Britain, I liked the design of the Meenak Theater there. And I started working with the idea of developing Nachi in this design. Earlier, it was estimated at 15/16 lakhs, after the thinking and planning became wider, both the work and the budget increased, he said, "There are 17 openings with railings on this platform. We have given it the name Bhume Mancha because it is danced on the ground.
By making use of the water coming from the adjacent river, a small waterfall has been made at the bottom of the stage to wash clothes and bathe. This has made the locals comfortable. Almost 3 years after the start of the work, about 90 percent of the work has been completed and now only the painting work is left. On the northwest side of the stage is Lugum village, on the north east side is Siukhar Park. About a hundred years old Agla Dhupi Salla's small forest is Siukhar Park.
Gharti has also constructed a road leading from the stage to the Madhyapahari Lokmarg through the park. Local Dilchan Budha Gharti said that it is easy to move around. At first, the place to dance here was narrow and ordinary. Now it's so good. This work here has greatly helped to preserve the original culture.'
Gharti's family, who personally invested so much to build the structure, still lives in Britain. He said that among his wife and two sons, the eldest son has joined the British army, while the younger son is working there after completing his studies. Gharti says, "After coming to Nepal after retiring from the British army, he has not gone there. I am still in the village because of this work. Now there is a thought of enjoying serving the village while staying in the homeland, let's see where time will take us.'
