Bardiya, Rajapur Municipality–5, Khallajaypur – The Tharu community of Bardiya is currently immersed in the vibrant celebrations of the ‘Sakhia Dance.’ Starting before Dashain and continuing for a few days after the festival, this traditional dance has added cultural vibrancy to the village.
According to Badhghar Pradeshi Chaudhary of Khallajaypur, young women perform the dance while young men play the madal (traditional drum). The more the madal is played, the livelier the dance becomes. Typically, 20–25 young women dress in white phariya, red choli, and red ribbons while performing the Sakhia Dance.
The Sakhia Dance is linked to the Mahabharata and is performed collectively with singing, madal, and manjira (cymbals). Holding religious and cultural significance, the songs in the dance invoke the names of various deities of the Tharu community.
Badhghar Pradeshi Chaudhary stated, “The new generation is gradually forgetting their culture. To preserve Tharu heritage, we continue to perform this dance every year.”
