Musicians playing the Ponga instrument during Thimi Bhaila

Musicians playing the Ponga instrument during Thimi Bhaila, Madhyapur Thimi

Madhyapur Thimi is a city rich in culture and history, where numerous festivals and traditional dances are celebrated throughout the year. Among these, the Thimi Bhaila Pyakhan(थिमि भैलः प्याखँ ), also known as Thimi Bhairab Naach, holds great significance. This traditional dance is performed for four days, beginning the day after the Gaijatra Festival. In Thimi Bhaila, five deities are represented in the dance, including one Jyapugaa (a child artist), two Bhailas, and two Daangis.

The deities perform to the rhythm of traditional music like Dhaa, Bhusya, Mahaali, and Ponga, and during the dance, the adult performers (except for the child artist) begin to shiver, believed to be under the influence of divine powers. In this trance-like state, they lose awareness of their surroundings, entering a subconscious state. This profound experience reflects the community’s deep devotion to their traditions and culture, as they gather to celebrate and honor their deities with enthusiasm and reverence. The dance not only showcases their cultural identity but also strengthens the bond within the community, uniting them in their shared heritage.