Kathmandu, Oct 22: The 12-yearly ritual dance fair has kicked in Kirtipur on Thursday which will last for 11 months.

The dance fair which started in the period of the then Mall era King Niwas Malla will be held in each and every streets of Kirtipur on rotational basis. During the ceremony, participants will don the mask of 11 separate deities including that of Asta Matrika and Mahalaxmi.

Dance Guru Raj Kumar Mali said the Malla King had started the dance in order to instill a sense of security among the town dwellers.

Weapons renunciation Day

The 277th weapons renunciation was observed on the Bijaya Dashami on Thursday. The day is celebrated to mark the Maurya Emperor Ashoka the Great’s renunciation of warfare after feeling dejected following the Kalinga war, said Chie Monk Tapashi Dhamma of Charumati Buddha Bihar.

Monk Dhamma said King Ashoka’s had made great contribution towards spreading the teachings of Buddha in the world.