Ranjha (Banke), 1 Magh(14 January): The Maghi festival, which is considered as the New Year, has increased happiness in the Tharu settlements. The excitement and excitement of Maghi has increased in the Tharu villages of Dang, Banke, Bardiya, Kailali and Kanchanpur in western Nepal, said Tulsiram Tharu, a Tharu leader from Baijapur, Rapti Sonari Rural Municipality-3, Banke. “Dances like Maghinach, Chhokra, Hurdugwa, Lathhawa and other dances performed on the occasion of Maghi have started in the Tharu villages,” he said. “The excitement of Maghi has started along with the dances in the villages. It is a custom to dance and sing and collect Dakshina on the occasion of Maghi.”
The Tharu community celebrates the Maghi festival from the end of Poush to the middle of Magh. Maghi is considered with special importance in the Tharu community. It is considered special because new work and new arrangements are implemented in the community from Maghi, said Chandra Bahadur Chaudhary, a Tharu leader from Banke Baijnath.
He said that Maghi is celebrated in the Tharu community in its own way, but the policies and procedures for running the village are the same every year, which makes it more interesting. “With the arrival of Maghi, the excitement and excitement of Maghi in Tharu villages has increased,” said Tharu leader Chaudhary. “The new generation has also developed the idea of preserving and improving culture.”
Chaudhary says that Maghi is not only a festival of the Tharu community but also a festival to elect new customs, new leaders (Mathawa, Bhalmansa, Mathawa, Barghar) and to formulate policies on this occasion. Since there is a dense settlement of the Tharu community in Dang, Banke, Bardiya, Kailali and Kanchanpur in western Nepal, Maghi is celebrated with special significance in these districts.
The Tharu community also considers this as the new fiscal year as there will be discussions on topics such as the election of village leaders from the village headman to the watchman, who will be given what responsibilities for the entire year, who will become the head of the house, and transactions and household advice, said Min Kumar Tharu, ward chair of Rapti Sonari-3.
“The influence of Maghi is visible in the Tharu community, especially from the last day of Poush. Currently, in Tharu villages, the tradition of burning firewood all night long, collecting firewood, grinding rice, painting, making dhikr and other types of food preparation have been completed,” he said. “Melas and festivals are organized in various places on the occasion of Maghi.”
According to him, the Tharu community burns a bonfire all night long on the day before Magh 1. People from all over the village gather in one place, light a fire in one place in the village, and enjoy the fire all night long. They burn a bonfire at night, and bathe in the river and stream when the rooster crows.
It is customary to take a bath and seek blessings from elders and show affection to the younger ones. On Magh 2, there is a tradition of calling a village gathering to elect leaders and make rules and regulations. After that, there is a tradition of celebrating the festival by dancing and singing for a few days. Dances such as Maghinach, Chokra, Hurdugwa, Lathhawa and others are performed on the occasion of Maghi. Ramdas Tharu of Kachnapur, Rapti, Banke informed that Maghauta dance and singing started along with the Maghi festival for the preservation and enjoyment of Tharu culture.
Maghi Fair in Bhuwarbhawani
On the occasion of Maghi, the main festival of the Tharu community, a historic Maghi fair has begun at the Bhubarbhawani Temple premises in Rapti Sonari Rural Municipality-3 of Banke. Devotees from Banke, neighboring districts and even India visit the Maghi fair, which is held every year from Poush 29 to Magh 4 at the Bhubarbhawani Temple premises in Baijapur, informed Meen Kumar Tharu, the patron and ward chairman of the fair.
“Since the Bhuvarbhawani Temple is popular in Nepal and India, it can become a destination of faith if it is further promoted,” said Meenkumar about the Bhuvarbhawani Maghi Fair. “The fair has been instrumental in bringing in foreign tourism for the protection of religion and faith.”
Tulsiram, the patron of the fair and ward chairman of Rapti Sonari Rural Municipality-3, said that the fair, which is held three times a year with special pujas at the Bhubar Bhavani Temple, established in 2013 BS, hosts business and entertainment programs.