Bisu, the festival of showing affection between brother-in-law and sister-in-law, is being celebrated today in Sudurpaschim Province. Bisu festival is celebrated on the first day of the new year.
The occasion of this festival is enjoyed by splashing water between brothers and sisters-in-law. Hemraj Pandey said that the festival will be celebrated in the morning after bathing and worshiping Ishtadev.
'In the Bisu festival, there is a tradition of wearing new clothes, eating sweets together with the family', he said, 'The brother-in-law, sister-in-law and Salivinaju have been enjoying this festival by splashing each other with water. Recently, this tradition is gradually disappearing.'
According to him, there is a popular belief that people will not get skin diseases all year round when they rub each other's nails. Deuda is played on the occasion of Bisu. Gatani dubka is eaten with rice, a special dish of Far West. On the occasion of Bisuka, there is a tradition of making and eating rot, mana, sailpuri, meat and other dishes along with gatani dipka.
On this occasion, Pandey said that there is an old custom of going to famous religious places like Haridwar in India for bathing in the Ganges. As people who have gone for work and employment in other areas including India return home, it brings joy to the family.
In Achham, Bajura and other areas, on the occasion of Bisu festival, women show puppet play (dance). Amar Bahadur Saud said that performing idol dance in Bisu has been going on for generations. He said that the Putla dance, which has been going on for generations, is gradually disappearing, so the younger generation should be brought forward to save it. On the occasion of this festival, there is also a custom of animal sacrifice at Shaktipeeth.
This festival is mainly celebrated in Baitadi, Darchula, Dadeldhura, Bajhang, Bajura, Achham districts of Far West. Bisu festival is celebrated by the mountain communities who migrated to Terai districts including Kailali Kanchanpur. Bisu festival is also celebrated in Kumaon Garhwal region of India.
