From Dadeldhura to Mandala: How a local ghost legend found its stage in Kathmandu

Based on the popular folklore of Dadeldhura in Sudurpaschim Province, the play 'Shree Bijjo Bhoot', currently being staged at Mandala Theatre in Kathmandu, weaves together the sorrow of foreign employment, local culture, fear, and humor.

A scene from the play 'Shree Bijjo Bhoot' currently being performed at Mandala Theatre in Kathmandu. All photos: Arundev Joshi

I first heard about ‘Bijjo Bhoot’ (The Bijjo Ghost) from my journalist friend DR Panta. In Dadeldhura, in particular, Bijjo Bhoot was a subject of much discussion. The story of Bijjo Bhoot was not scary like that of other ghosts. Rather, there were amusing anecdotes.

Sometimes, when someone was struggling to walk uphill carrying a heavy load, Bijjo Bhoot would suddenly appear and carry the load for them. Then, after putting the load down at the top of the hill, he would suddenly disappear. It was common talk that Bijjo Bhoot would tell the people he met that his son was in the army. Many said that Bijjo Bhoot would even give them letters, asking them to deliver them to his son.

Friend DR Panta had once written a feature in ‘Kantipur’ about the tales of Bijjo Bhoot. Another journalist friend from Jogbuda in Dadeldhura, Ram Dhami, also reported heavily on the anecdotes of Bijjo Bhoot back then in ‘Samacharpatra Daily’. Ram Dhami once shared an amusing story about how, during times of news drought, he often made news out of Bijjo Bhoot to get by.

Friend Panta has numerous anecdotes about Bijjo Bhoot. Decked out in a clean Daura-Surwal (traditional male outfit of Nepal) and cap, Bijjo Bhoot would reportedly arrive riding a horse.

Actors performing in the folklore-based play ‘Shree Bijjo Bhoot’.

The Bijjo Bhoot encountered by Dr. Simons

DR had also shared an incident where Dr. Simons, an American doctor at the famous TEAM Hospital in Dadeldhura, personally encountered Bijjo Bhoot. Simons had shared this incident during an interview with DR on a local FM radio station.

Once in Dadeldhura, a man dressed elegantly in a clean Daura-Surwal—quite uncommon for ordinary sight there—arrived at Simons’ on horseback, asking for medical treatment. When Simons conducted a routine checkup, he could not find normal human vital signs, such as a heartbeat. Surprised, Simons spoke about conducting a blood test.

When he returned with a syringe to draw blood, the man had suddenly disappeared. Astonished by the incident, when Simons related it to the locals, they laughed heartily, saying, “Oh, that was Bijjo Bhoot; he came to tease you!”

Many such amusing stories and anecdotes are heard about Bijjo Bhoot. In Dadeldhura, one can still find elderly people who share stories of having encountered Bijjo Bhoot.

Actors performing in the folklore-based play ‘Shree Bijjo Bhoot’.

Bijjo Bhoot arrives in Kathmandu

That very Bijjo Bhoot has now arrived in the capital city of Kathmandu. ‘Shree Bijjo Bhoot’ is currently being staged at Mandala Theatre in Kathmandu. One must prefix Bijjo with ‘Shree’ or call him ‘Bijjo Da’, otherwise he gets angry. Perhaps this is the first play featuring the storyline and language of Far West Nepal to be staged on a Kathmandu theatre platform. At least, it is certainly the first one I am aware of.