Madhyapur Thimi celebrates its Malla-era battle tradition

The historic ‘Kha: Pihanwaigu’ festival, a longstanding tradition in Madhyapur Thimi that evokes the martial culture of the Malla era, was observed on the 11th day of Dashain, coinciding with Papankusha Ekadashi.

Participants paraded through the town in traditional warrior attire, carrying swords, shields and other ceremonial weapons.

The festival brought together members of local Guthis—traditional community organisations responsible for preserving religious and cultural practices—and residents, who paraded through the town in traditional attire reminiscent of the Malla-era warriors, carrying swords, khukuris, shields and battle armour.

The procession began at the Dyo Chhen of Taleju Bhawani, located in Layaku, the former royal palace of Thimi state. It then passed through the neighbourhoods of Thahneya and Kohneya, displaying objects of historical and religious significance along the way.

The festival concludes at the precincts of Balkumari Temple with a ritual in which participants strike a pumpkin with a weapon. According to local belief, taking pieces of the pumpkin home as prasad, a religious offering, protects households from illness and misfortune.