Nepal, March 25 -- The three-day spring celebration of Pahan Charey Pahaan Chahre of the indigenous Newah people of Kathmandu, last week is the second in importance only to the autumnal ten-day festival of Mohani (Dasain).

The annual festival reminds people about the vital role of women in society - from matriarchal gods who have protected the Valley since prehistoric times to married daughters who come home to their parents for a special time of bonding and enjoyment.

According to popular legend, Pahan Charey commemorates the day when Lord Siva, a stringent vegetarian, agreed to go carnivorous and drink alcohol at the behest of his wife Parvati. For this 'disgraceful' act of eating meat, the Lord was demoted to the rank of a Pisacha - ...