Budi Polne Parba being observed in Far West

DADHELDHURA, Sept 17: The Budi Polne Parba , a religious festival, is being observed with fervor in various districts in the Far West of the country on Monday.

The day falls on the first day of Nepali month of Ashwin when, as the legend goes, Lord Krishna killed demon Budhi aka Rakshashni Putana. Her effigy is burnt today as a commemoration of victory of righteousness over evil and ill. The cow herder friends of Lord Krishna burnt the corpse of Putana on this day, according to Priest Krishna Dutta Ojha.

Demon Putana used to kill the children by breastfeeding them her milk laced with poison. The effigy of Putana, on this day, is attached with the trunk of the tree, preferably the pine, and is burnt in the evening.

Also, on this day, the devotees eat cucumber and partake in a ritual bath called luto phalne (washing away the scabies and skin diseases). The ashes of the effigy of Putana is then put on the domestic animals. In doing so, it is believed, that the livestock would never contract any diseases.

Culture programs as Deuda and Bhuwa also held at night.