Big festivals in post-political times

Festivals directly touch the lives of the people and lay bare their living conditions.

A juxtaposition of the greatest Nepali festivals Dashain, Tihar and Chhath with the country's post-political times could sound a little unusual. But I am doing so struck by the festive mood of the country on the one hand, and the somewhat overt interest and shifting developments in the country's political matters on the other. I take Dashain as an example here. This festival has always given some breathing space for Nepali politicians in terms of pausing to plan, negotiate and forget the ire and fire of ongoing political imbroglios. This has been a factor in both turbulent and peaceful times in the country. Political players and power contenders appear to have been using this occasion to negotiate and meditate.