In Eastern Nepal, it's easy to fall under the spell of the people's charms

The Orange City of Dhankuta is full of heritage buildings that were painted in this bright colour. — Photos: MELODY L. GOH/The Star

Seeing a shaman performing a ritual on a hot summer day in Eastern Nepal is not something most travellers would expect. But there he was in his white shirt and long skirt, chains and bells wrapped around his chest, and a headgear full of feathers. He was circling an obelisk, banging on what looked like a metal plate.

The man was stoic and did not flinch, change his expression or stop chanting when curious onlookers started taking his pictures and getting closer to him. He continued to walk down the viewing platform at Cholung Park in the city of Basantapur, Terhathum district, barefoot and unfazed by the blazing hot sun.