In the Himalayan land of Nepal, Paru Hang, and Sumnima were the ancestors of kirats from the ancient times. The period between 900 BC and 300 AD is known as Kirat era in the history of Nepal. There were 29 kings who ruled the country for about 1225 years. Present day Rais and Limbus are the descendants of the kirats.
Among the various traditional celebrations, UDHOULI and UBHOULI are the most important festival of kirats. These festivals are known as CHASOK, to Limbus, as CHASUWA to Yakkha Rais, as FOLSADAR to Sunwar Rais and as SAKELA or SAKENWA to Bantawa and other Rais. Many traditional instruments like Drum, Cymbal, Yak tail and Shord are played to dance during this festival. Every year there are two celebrations, UDHOULI is marked for 15 days, during the month of November, while UBHOULI is celebrated also for 15 days in the month of April – May.
Udhouli is celebrated during the harvest season, mainly to exhibit the gratefulness to the nature for the plentiful harvest and to received the approval to harvest from the land. The literal definition of UDHOULI is the migration toward south during winter time. Toward the end of the fall, animals and birds migrate from the north Himalayan mountains down to warmer south low lands. This migration towards south gave the festival its name UDHOULI literally meaning downward movement.
UBHOULI festival is celebrated during the farming season which falls in the month of April- May. It is celebrated to worship the land and the nature with a “Seuli” (which is a small tree branch full of leaves). With the arrival of unbhouli, the living animals and birds migrate back to the cooler northern hills and mountains. The migration toward north gave the term unbhouli., literally meaning upward movement. These festivals show the closeness to the nature and environmental consciousness of the indigenous Kirats of Nepal.
