| Ubhauli | |
|---|---|
 Ubhauli celebration byKirat people | |
| Also called | Sakela |
| Observed by | Kirat communities |
| Type | Kirat festival |
| Observances | Prayers and religious rituals |
| Date | April–May (lunar calendar) |
| Frequency | Annual |
Ubhauli (Nepali:उभौली,lit. 'going up') is festival of theKirat communities ofSunuwar ,Limbu ,Yakkha andRai ofNepal,India and around the world by Kirati people celebrated every year marking the migration phase upwards towards the hilly regions when thesummer season arrives.[1] The migration from hills downwards to areas of lower altitude is calledUdhauli (downwards), which is also an annual festival of these communities.[2]Sakela is the dance performed during the festival.[3][4] On this Ubhauli festival day, the Kirat people pray tomother nature for healthy crops and protection from natural calamities in that year.[5]