A glimpse of the revived Mahakali dance at Nagadesh Tole, Madhyapur Thimi

The Prajapati community of Nagadesh Tole, Madhyapur Thimi has resumed the historic Mahakali dance, first revived in 2022 after an 80-year gap. The Devgans traverse designated routes throughout the city, reaching various junctions known as “Dabalis,” where they perform intricate dance sequences.

To ensure the purity of the ritual, the Devgans adhere to strict rules. According to Samir Sankhadev, the Mahakali dance teacher, strict rules must be followed to maintain the sacred nature of the ritual. Dancers are prohibited from being touched by dogs or other people, and their parents and family members are not allowed to observe the performance. These guidelines help ensure that the dance remains a pure and spiritual experience.

Similarly, a group of  26 people are associated with the Mahakali dance. Of them, 17 are Devgans who dance as various deities- Mahakali, Mahalaxmi, Kumari, Vetals, Bhairav, Kawang, Khyak, Simgha, Maka, and others, said Birendra Bhakta Shrestha, a local. Believed to have been started by King Subarna Malla in the 16th century, the folk dance was last performed in the 1940s.

Photo: Shankar Bhujel