Date: 1964-01
Location: Bhojpur, Bhojpur
Description: The Dobali Mela was an annual affair in January, a huge market festival that lasted about a week, bringing hundreds of people who camped in the surrounding fields. It was a primary meeting place for people from the nearby villages to trade with people from the north (Sherpas) and the south (Newars and Madesis). In 1964 itseemed to be a dying tradition and people complained that the numbers were dwindling. People were surmising that the "bright lights" of Dharan, down at the edge of the Tarai, were more appealing now. After dark there were campfires around the tents with people singing, telling stories, and laughing. The people didn't need to be entertained; they were entertaining themselves.
