Khokana (Jitapur)

Khokana is a former Village Development Committee (VDC) which has been merged with the neighbouring VDC's of Bungamati, Chhampi, Dukuchhap,Sainbu and other 38 VDC's to form the Metropolitan City of Lalitpur in Lalitpur District in the Bagmati Zone of central Nepal. At the time of the 1991 Nepal census, Khokana had a population of 4258 living in 699 individual households.According to 2011 Nepal census, Khokana had a population of 4927 living in 1056 individual households.
Khokana, a traditional and tiny Newari village about 8 kilometers south of Kathmandu (on the outskirts of Patan). Khokana is mainly known for the production of rich mustard oil since ancient time. It was also the first town in Nepal to be lit with electricity in 1911 AD during the reign of Rana Prime Minister Chandra Shamsher.
Khokana has been nominated to be listed as a Unesco World Heritage, representing a vernacular village and its mustard-oil seed industrial heritage.

Festivals and Rituals

Sikhali Jatra

Dedicated to Rudrayani Goddess held twice a year during Gaijatra festival in August and during Dashain in October

Kartik Jatra

Held in the month of Kartik (October- November) when 14 deity representatives dance and animal sacrifices are made.

Gaijatra (Gunhi punhi)

Celebrated for two days. On the first day frog is worshipped and after having cereal soup, jatra or the procession begins from Rudrayani temple and on the second day procession completes. Animal sacrifices are made on the second day in Dev pukhu.

Khayasanhu

Fest of bitten rice is organized in every house to celebrate this festival on the first day of Bikram era (first of Baisakh).

Bhimsen Puja

Celebrated on the second day of Baisakh. Auditing of yearly accounts of the oil mills and worshipping of Bhimsen deity for prosperity in the future is done.

Paha – charhey

Celebrated in the month of Chaitra. Mahadev is worshipped and two guthis of the settlement arrange feast for the entire community.

Sithi nakha

Celebrated in the month of June. This is the main festival of the farmers for cleaning, renewing and renovating the community spaces.

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Lakhey

Lākhey ( Nepal Bhasa : लाखे, lā-khé) (alternative spellings Lākhe , Lākhay , लाखय्) is a demon in Nepalese folklore. He is depicted with a ferocious face, protruding fangs and mane of red or black hair. Lakhes figure prominently in traditional Newar culture of Nepal Mandala . The Lakhe tradition is found in the Kathmandu Valley and other Newar settlements throughout Nepal . Lakhes are said to be demons who used to live in the forests and later became protectors to the townspeople. A female Lakhe is known as Lasin (लसिं). Dancing Lakhes Lakhey Dance is one of the most popular dances of Nepal. Performers wearing a Lakhe costume and mask perform dances on the streets and city squares during festivals. The mask is made of papier-mâché and yak tails are used for the hair. The Lakhe dance is characterised by wild movements and thumping music. The most famous Lakhe is Majipa Lakhey of Kathmandu who appears during the Yenya (Indra Jatra) festival in September. [

Nhu Daya Vintuna (New year)

Newars marking New Year resolution in Tihar On the fourth day of Tihar, both Mha puja and New Year day is commemorated as per Nepal sambat calendar. Most of the Nepalese mark their New Year resolution on 1 st Baisakh of Vikram Sambat calendar. So,this New Year of Nepal Sambat virtue is an extraordinary celebration among Newars. Newar community has their own calendar, famously known as Nepal Sambat. Nepal Sambat started of its career on 20 th October 879 A.D. but it was soon officially disapproved at the beginning of 20 th century. History has saved appearance of Nepal Sambat in old coins, inscription plates, doctrines, chronicles, royal decrees and Manuscripts.This year 2016/17 corresponds to 1138 in Nepal Sambat calendar. Initially, Nepalese traders used to close down their ledger and open up new fiscal account on this day. Tales behind New Year celebration An astrologer of king of Bhaktapur calculated an auspicious time and date for the accumu

Gai Jatra

Gai Jatra , ( gāi means cow and jātrā means festival in Nepali : गाई जात्रा, and Nepal Bhasa : सा पारु) is a festival celebrated in Nepal , mainly in Kathmandu valley by the Newar community. [1] The festival commemorates the death of people during the year and is generally celebrated in the month of Bhadra (August–September). The date is set according to the lunar Nepal Era calendar: it falls on the first day of the dark fortnight of the month of Gunla . The Festival of Cows is one of the most popular festivals of Nepal. It is celebrated to diminish the sadness from the death of family members. During the festival, cows are marched in the streets. People also distribute food to others. The whole complex of Gai Jatra festival has its roots in the ancient ages when people feared and worshiped Yamaraj , the god of death. However, the ironic sessions synonymous with the Gai Jatra festival entered the tradition in the medieval period of Nepal during the reign of the Mal

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