A comfort like home

In Nepal, I found a sense of comfort in several of the towns I visited—a feeling akin to being back in my own hometown. The town of Tokha was one such place; while observing Bisket Jatra—a festival deeply cherished by the locals—I was captivated by the genuine joy of the people and the town’s atmosphere, which welcomed me, an outsider, as if I were one of their own.
In Japan, festivals often create a clear distinction between participants and spectators, but in Tokha, it was evident that the entire town was coming together to enjoy the celebration. There was a wonderful comfort in immersing myself in that environment. I sipped Local Roxy (a traditional unrefined rice wine) and joined the locals in the festivities; simply being there brought me joy and naturally put a smile on my face.
Tokha is home to two “living goddesses": Ganesh and Kumari. They are chosen from the Dangol agricultural caste. During the rice-planting season, they even join other children in the paddies to help plant the seedlings. Reflecting the warm and open nature of Tokha, they exude both cheerfulness and inner strength.
Despite being goddesses, they are not set apart as distant figures; they live with their feet firmly planted on the same ground as the local people, who cherish and revere them. They possess a unique charm that sets them apart from the Kumaris found in other regions.