February 14, 2025 10:55 am
February 14, 2025 10:55 am

Tharu settlements become vibrant with the hustle and bustle of Maghi

Tharu community held meeting for preparing Maghi festival celebrate with dancing 

Kailali, January 13: The Maghi festival of the Tharu community living in the Terai region of western Nepal has begun in Tharu settlements including Kailali and Kanchanpur from today.

Tharu leader Prabhat Kumar Chaudhary informed that this festival has started in Tharu villages and settlements, especially on the last day of the month of Poush and celebrated with joy until Magh 2(Jan 15), bidding farewell to Poush and welcoming the New Year on Magh 1(Jan 14).

Tharu leader Chaudhary said that the slaughter of pigs for meat has started in Tharu villages since this morning. Similarly, according to the Tharu culture, there is a tradition of staying awake all night, singing and dancing, reciting hymns in the name of God (dhamar), lighting a fire, and preparing and eating various dishes like ganji and taro.

“On the day of Maghe Sankranti, especially among the Tharu community, people wake up early in the morning and go to a nearby river and lake to wash themselves and while bathing, they dip themselves in the river and leave coins and money. After bathing, after returning home singing Dhamaar, it is customary for the women of the house to touch the rice and meat dal that have been separated and to separate the touched items from the daughters of the house,” he said. “After that, it is a tradition to seek blessings from the ancestors and elders in the house.” On the third day, i.e. on Magh 2(Jan 15), there is also a tradition of eating rice and meat dal khichdi and going to the nearby market, he said.

Madhav Chaudhary, a local of Godavari Municipality-8, Phakalpur, said that the Tharu villages are now in a festive mood as it is the main festival of the Tharu community. He said, “The villages and settlements inhabited by the Tharu community are now in the mood for Maghi.” Not only this, the sounds of the duff and madal, along with the Maghauta dance and folk songs that reflect the traditions and folk culture of the Tharu community, are also resonating in the villages.

During this festival, the Tharu community reviews past activities. “Along with the Maghi festival, the Tharu community formally begins its wedding, distribution of property, and other activities,” said Chaudhary. “On this day, it is customary to leave behind mutual animosity and meet relatives and friends and eat and feed various Tharu dishes including rice and egg roti, dhikr, and meat.” Since this festival marks the beginning of the new year, it is customary to wear new clothes. Family members who are away for work have already returned home to celebrate the festival.

During the festival, it is customary to eat local dishes, including rice with eggs, roti, dhikri, bariya, ghongi, pork, fish, and gangta. Maila Chaudhary of Baiyabehdi in Dhangadhi says that the festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm as it is a major festival enjoyed by everyone from children to the elderly. “In the village, relatives, family members, and friends are having fun, eating, and drinking,” he said. “The hustle and bustle of this festival in our community makes us forget all the pains of the past.”

To celebrate Maghi, fairs and festivals have been organized in the villages and surrounding areas of the Tharu community. The Sudurpaschim Province government has also declared a public holiday today on the occasion of Maghi.

Picture of Phatam B. Gurung

Phatam B. Gurung

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