Kathmandu, Dec. 6 -- Udhauli was observed across Nepal on Thursday, and this year's celebrations showed how the festival has steadily changed with time.

In the bygone days, the festival took place within village communities. Today, it unfolds across large urban grounds, supported by youth groups who handle much of the preparation.

Across many towns, young people coordinated the dances, decorated the spaces and managed logistics. Their presence gave the day a sense of structure and consistency. For Dhiren Sustocha Bahing, the chairman of the Federation of Indigenous Kirat Associations, this shift captures the festival's evolution. "Without youths, Udhauli would not feel this lively," he says. He has seen the celebration grow from a gathe...