2 October, Chitwan. 24 Pirke Rohote Ping has been put into operation in Madhya Nepal Municipality-10, Handikhola Bardhan of Lamjung.
During Dashain, you can often see four-legged Rohote Ping in the village. However, compared to that, 24 Pirke Ping is considered rare.
In the past, pings of up to eight, 12 and 16 pirkes could be seen in various places of Lamjung, Gorkha and Tanahun, but recently such pings have been disappearing.
According to Ramchandra Bhandari, the ward president of Madhya Nepal Municipality-10 and spokesperson of the municipality, the Rohote Ping was put into operation on the day of Phulpati. He said that Ping has been conducted every Dashain for three years.
Bhandari said, "After the launch of Ping, which reflects the tradition and cultural importance of Dussehra, the festival has been added to the area," Bhandari said, "As the popularity of Ping has increased, the number of people coming to play has also increased. People come here with the desire to experience playing 24-pin ping even once in their life.
No fee is charged for those who come to play ping. Local youth have been helping to play by shaking the ping.
Municipal support for three years
Initially, the municipality provided three lakh rupees for the preservation of the traditional Ping. Since then, donations and labor donations from the locals have been helping in the construction and operation of the Ping.
Ward president Bhandari said that the local people themselves have taken the initiative to build the bridge. According to him, 30-40 years ago, such pings could be seen in different places of Lamjung, Gorkha and Tanahun. As it is disappearing now, it has been preserved to introduce the traditional ping to the new generation.
Along with 24 pirke ping, eight pirke traditional kathe ping has also been constructed at the same place. Bhandari said that when the traffic of people is less, eight pirke pings will be conducted.
Ramesh Kumar Pandey, head of Madhya Nepal Municipality, said that traditional rote taping would preserve the originality of the festival and help connect the new generation to cultural preservation.
According to him, the obligation of young people to go abroad for employment is affecting traditional culture preservation and transmission. That is why the municipality is interested in the protection of such cultural heritage, he said.
A cultural house that showcases the culture of the Dura community
The locals of Bardhan village, which has a majority of Dura community, have been conducting various activities to attract tourists along with preserving their art and culture.
A cultural house reflecting the art and culture of Dura caste has also been constructed near Rohote Ping. Those who come to play ping will be able to see the house and learn about the culture and traditions of the Dura community.
The municipality has been working on the preservation of traditional ping for the last three years. It is expected that the 24 Pirke Ping, which is being operated by the locals, will promote the cultural identity of the village and also help in domestic tourism.
How to reach 24 Pirke Ping?
To reach 24 Pirke Rohote Ping in Madhya Nepal Municipality-10, Handikhola Bardhan of Lamjung, one can go from Damauli in Tanahun via Bhorletar via Bagrebesi.
After traveling about 10 km from Bhorletar market, you can reach the place where Ping is located. Most of the roads on this route are paved.
Similarly, it can be reached from Dumre Bazar in Tanahun through Sunderbazar, Vimire Bhanjyang and Nishan Chautara.
Since the condition of the road leading from Bhorletar is good, the Ward President Bhandari has requested people to come to play ping pong 24 hours a day and observe the culture of the village.
