Nyilo or the winter solstice day is an important and renowned annual traditional celebration, especially for the people of western Bhutan. However, given the restrictions posed by the lockdown, it remained an indoor event, this year.
The celebration begins with hot tea and porridge, along with an array of home-made delicacies. But unlike in the past, families will not go out for a feast, children will not sing Lolay – a song of prayers and good wishes for the year, men will not play their traditional sports, and women will also stay indoors.
So much sacrifice; this is all for the compliance of safety and lockdown protocols.
Punakha is one of the dzongkhags that celebrates Nyilo in a grand way. A day usually filled with hustle and bustle among people, villages are silent this time. The district notified the people in the dzongkhag to keep their celebration at home and within their own family. And people welcomed the decision.
”We don’t mix, even with people of the same community. I feel this is the only right precaution we can take for now to keep everyone safe from infection. We never know where the danger is,’’ said Damcho Zam from Guma.
Likewise, Yeshi Tshering from the same village said that just a mere celebration could pose great danger, not only to an individual but to the whole country. He said, ”rather than letting government incur a huge loss because of our mere enjoyment, we can do best by staying put, and praying in our own homes.’’
Although some people also expressed their dissatisfaction over the restrictions, they also said the government is doing the best and it is an equal responsibility on their part to comply as well.
Punakha Dzongdag, Karma Drukpa, said although there are restrictions for gatherings outside, people don’t have the dearth of any essentials as respective gewog did their part to distribute enough supplies.
”In case people fail to comply with the protocols, we will deal with them in accordance with the law,’’ the dzongdag said.
It is during the Nyilo that people come together to pray for the wellbeing of people and the country for a year. The festivity also marks the return of longer daylight. This year, the day fell on 2nd January, coinciding with the 18th Day of the Eleventh Month of the Lunar Calendar.
Changa Dorji
