The Thakali people are well aware of their enthusiasm to celebrate their festivals among themselves. As each and every festival has it’s own significance and that’s what makes the Thakali people so special. They just need one reason or another to celebrate. Their festivals are a beautiful embodiment of the robust and composite culture of Nepal.
Just like other people of Nepal, the Thakali people celebrate some diverse and unique festivals every year. Each of the festivals celebrated by them has some or the other religious legends associated with it. They believe in celebrating any festive occasion to the hilt. So every festival is marked traditional songs, enegrtic dances and delicious recipes.
Among many festivals, Toran la generally known as Holi also known as festival of colours. While every other person is enthusiastically engaged in decorating the other with colourful hues and water during the time of holi, one of the festivals profoundly enjoyed by all, there is a unique kind of celebration that takes place inside a Thakali household. Toran la or Holi is the biggest festival of the Thakali clan, celebrated on the first month of New Year of the Thakali Calendar which usually falls in the month of March of the Gregorian Calendar. The reason behind celebrating this festival, Toran la is to worship ancestors and forefathers, appreciating what they have done for the community. This festival is somehow similar to Dashain, akin to cleaning the houses, gearing up in a new attire, cooking delicacies gathering and merrymaking. It is a three-day festival and on the three nights, before, after and the night of Purnima, “Khimi” (consistes of alcohol, milk and chyang) is prepared which serves as an offering to ancestors.
Archery, popularly known as “Tara” among the Thakali men and Naka Bheti (Kaudi), Gotti among Thaklai women is played during Toran la. Another reason of celebrating this festival is the fact that the brothers invite their married/unmarried sisters and their families for a day long event on the day of Purnima.
Toran la is very meaningful for them as it teaches the future generation to pay respect and homage to their ancestors, who laid the foundation for them and secondly, festival like this keep the bonds and good spirits alive.
