New Sakela Spot inauguration 2022, Chapali Height, Kathmandu Nepal.

Sakela (Nepali: साकेला) is one of the main festival of Kirat Rai people, an ethnic group indigenous to Eastern Nepal and Sikkim, Kalimpong, and Darjeeling regions of India. Sakela is celebrated twice a year and is distinguished by two names Ubhauli and Udhauli. Sakela Ubhauli is celebrated during Baisakh Purnima (full moon day in the month of Baisakh) and Sakela Udhauli is celebrated during the full moon day in the month of Mangsir.
Significance:
Kirats believe in shamanism and are worshippers of nature. The Sakela celebration is a prayer to mother nature for healthy crops and protection from natural calamities. The festival is Started on Baisakh Purnima, Sakela Ubhauli is celebrated for 15 days in Baisakh (April/May) marking the beginning of the farming year. Similarly, the celebration of Sakela Udhauli during Mangsir (November/December), which is the harvest season, is the giving of thanks to mother nature for providing a good harvest.
Sakela dance:
The main characteristic of this festival is a ritual dance call Sakela dance performed by large groups of Kirats, wearing their traditional attire. People from all ages dance together in a large circle. There are male and female leaders in each circle known as Silimangpa and Silimangma respectively. They choreograph the dance moves known as sili while others follow them. The sili reflects the different aspects of human life and their relationship with nature.
Variations
Bahing or Bayung Rai performaing Segro Silli dance.
Among the various Rai languages Sakela also called "Sakewa/Sakenwa" in Bantawa, Dungmali and Mewahang "Tosh in" Kulung and Nachhiring , "Toshi" in Thulung , "Segro" in Bahing , "Iksamang/Balipuja" in Lohorung and Yamphu , "Fagulak" in Puma all Rai people worship "land deity" (Bhumi dev) Mother Earth (deity) in this festival and perform various types of dance related to nature and Human civilization:farming, hunting, weaving, acting of birds, animals and insects etc the dance is called "Silli" in Rai languages like "Toshi silli", "Tosh silli", "Sakela silli", Sakenwa silli etc. Silli means dance moves.