Infamous but Captivating Lakhe Dance of Nepal

All Majipa Lakhe performers are required to pay their visits to dance goddess in respect to wear Lakhe mask and costumes. They carefully plan and prepare eight-days performing schedule. Three to four performers take turns for a single day performance.

Before a performer wears the Majipa Lakhe attire to be publicly displayed in the streets of Kathmandu, it is first worshiped on its throne. Lakhe and Jhyalincha masks are brought out into the procession for mending, grooming, and repainting for the upcoming Indra Jatra Festival. It is kept in its throne until it is sent to a craftsman chitrakar (a painter) of Newar community. Similarly, yak hair is dyed, brushed and fitted in a mask. This is a closed session that public viewing is restricted except for the guardians of Lakhe.

A Lakhe dance performer is putting on the mask before going out to perform. The mask is believed to have a power to provide strength during the performance. The mask bearer portrays the expressions of excitement, fear, greed, and anxiety through this dance.

Before going out to perform in public, Majipa Lakhe visits a place called Rengal at Lagan to worship and receive blessing for a successful day ahead. Earlier, Jyapu (a farmer clan in Newar) people were responsible taking care of Lakhe. During the course of time, Jyapu find this practice difficult to carry out and handed over to Ranjitkars (another Newar clan). To this day, Lakhe visits Jyapu house to drink water and light its chilaag (oil torch) to begin the procession.

When Lakhe is ready to perform, a guardian (Mr. Rajib Ranjit) assists Lakhe to come out from its house called Lakhe Nuni. Lakhe's first prayer is held in Kebuche, the house of a clan in Newar known as Rajbhandari who made offerings to Lakhe. Lakhe comes out with musical instruments, Bhushyaha (a drum), Jhyali (cymbals), Jhyalincha, a bag, and an oil torch called chilaag.

Lakhe comes out with joy and excitement to show off its vibrantly colorful batik attached to its arms. Lakhe is expected to follow a traditional route covering the periphery of the old city of Kathmandu.

The little boy dressed as Jhyalincha is teasing Lakhe to perform more vigorously.

Also called Shree Lakhe Ajoo of Majipa by locals, passionately dances in the middle of a captivating crowd, celebrating the Indra Jatra Festival in Kathmandu.

During the eight-days public performance, the devotees invite Majipa Lakhe to their houses for prayer and blessings. They offer shamhya baji (a protein-rich offering consisting of legumes, includes beans, lentils, soybeans, peanuts, peas, eggs etc.)

Pulukishi is an elephant mascot believed to be lost after being left by Lord Indra when he descended down to earth from heaven in search of a flower called "Parijat". In this performance, Pulukishi goes around the town, dancing to the tunes of a single bell in search of his master Lord Indra.

Exuberant and lively Lakhe performance is appreciated by many in this festival. The upbeat of music definitely makes this festival very entertaining.

Majipa Lakhe shows its presence by performing and jumping three times at the main intersection at Jaishidewal, Chikamugul, Kumari House, and Hanumandhoka.

Legend has it that the first Malla king brought the Goddess Taleju Bhawani in Kathmandu where it is enshrined. Lakhe, not finding his patron Goddess Taleju, simply followed the footprints of the Malla king and arrived in Nepal from the south. Later, Goddess Taleju appeared as Living Goddess Kumari and Lakhe continued to walk the chariots of Kumari in this great festival.

Majipa Lakhe is put back into its chest for another year after being out for almost a month. The trustee host the feast next day after the final ritual.

After Indra Jatra concluded on the eighth day, Lakhe mask with its attire is placed to its throne and worshipped for one last final ritual. It is offered with shamhya baji (legumes). A guardian of Lakhe puts away the mask and other accessories back to the chest, leaving the house until next year. This marks the end of Majipa Lakhe. Public viewing is restricted to this rituals.

Majipa Lakhe keeper, Mr. Rajib Ranjit, has inherited the Lakhe tradition and rituals from his forefather and uncle. Mr. Ranjit is optimistic that one day his son will follow his footsteps to keep this family tradition alive. His uncle, Mr. Laxmanram Ranjit, has retired after 28 years as a care-taker of Lakhe due to old age.