Historic Bhairav dance begins in Arghakhanchi
Summary
Arghakhanchi’s traditional Bhairav Dance has begun a week late after being postponed to mourn the glacial flood disaster in Rasuwa’s Bhote-Koshi area. The night-long ritual performance in Hatiya has resumed with local participation and continues as a key Newar cultural tradition.
Key Points
- Arghakhanchi’s Bhairav Dance started a week later than planned after being postponed in mourning for victims of the Bhote-Koshi glacial flood in Rasuwa.
- The performance is being held in Hatiya, Bhumikasthan Municipality-8, under the Bhairav Dance Conservation Committee with local residents, cultural preservationists and Guthi members.
- The dance is a longstanding Newar cultural and religious tradition performed at night with Tantric rituals, multiple characters and seven rhythmic beats.
- Cultural preservationists say the tradition remains popular among younger generations, but migration is making it harder to preserve its original form.
