In the lush valleys and towering peaks of Nepal, a land where myths intertwine with reality, there exists a tale as old as time itself – the legend of Laakhe.
Long ago, before the bustling streets of Kathmandu echoed with the footsteps of its inhabitants, before the prayer flags fluttered in the Himalayan breeze, there lived a community of Newars nestled in the shadow of the mighty mountains. These people, humble and hardworking, revered the spirits of nature and sought their protection in the face of life's uncertainties.
Among these spirits was Laakhe, a fearsome yet benevolent deity believed to dwell in the dense forests surrounding the Kathmandu Valley. With the body of a man and the face of a lion, adorned with garlands of flowers and colorful attire, Laakhe commanded both awe and respect.
The origins of Laakhe are shrouded in mystery, lost to the mists of time. Some say he was born of the union between a mortal and a celestial being, while others claim he emerged from the depths of the forest itself, a guardian appointed by the gods to watch over the land and there are others that believe it is living embodiment of all the evil thoughts in humankind brought to life by the gods. Regardless of the different versions, the essence of the myth of Lakhe revolves around transformation, redemption, and the power of love and acceptance.
Today, the spirit of Laakhe lives on in the hearts of the Nepalese people, a testament to the enduring power of the myth and the timeless allure of the unknown. Across Nepal, various communities during different festivals perform the Laakhe Dance with the grandest of them all being the one in Kathmandu during the festival of Indra Jatra.
Learn More
- https://artsandculture.google.com/story/infamous-but-captivating-lakhe-dance-of-nepal-ichcap/7wVxVo4jDR4cLA?hl=en
- https://www.culturalsurvival.org/publications/cultural-survival-quarterly/demon-among-deities#:~:text=One%20Lakhe%20falls%20in%20love,protect%20the%20children%20of%20Majipa.
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lakhey
- http://ecs.com.np/festival/majipa-lakhey-aaju-the-demon-who-cares