Manthali (Ramechap) 4 March: The Majhi community here performed Ladi (Koshi) Puja today. Various programs have been organized on the occasion of Ladi Puja.
On the occasion of this puja, which is connected to the identity of the Majhi community, worship has been performed on the banks of Tamakoshi, Sunkoshi and other rivers. Nepal Majhi Students’ Association has organized an open Majhi dance competition in Manthali.
Ladi Puja, which is considered a great festival of the Majhi community, is performed on the banks of the rivers every year. Balkrishna Majhi of Gaikhura, Manthali Municipality-8, said that since ancient times, the river is connected to their way of life.
त्रिशूली (नुवाकोट), २० फागुन :
माझी समुदायको लदी पर्वको अवसरमा नुवाकोटका माझी समुदायले पहिलो पटक सामूहिक रुपमा मङ्गलबार विदुर नगरपालिका–३ बुद्धसिंहघाटस्थित त्रिशूली नदी किनारमा मनाएको लदी पूजामा विदुर नगरपालिकाका नगरप्रमुख राजन श्रेष्ठ सहितका अतिथी र माझी समूदाय सामूहिक रुपमा लदी पूजा गर्दै । तस्बिर : रामहरि न्यौपाने/रासस On the occasion of the Ladi festival of the Majhi community, the Majhi community of Nuwakot performed Ladi puja collectively for the first time on Tuesday on the banks of the Trishuli River at Buddhasingh Ghat, Bidur Municipality-3, along with guests including Mayor of Bidur Municipality Rajan Shrestha and the Majhi community. Photo: Ramhari Neupane/RSS
Initially, the Majhi community has a special relationship with Ladi Puja as they used to fish and fish in boats on the Koshi and other large rivers. “In ancient times, when a fisherman was ferrying a king across the Koshi, the king was afraid of drowning and asked for help. When the fisherman told him to perform Ladi Puja and eat the prasad himself without giving it to anyone, the fisherman did so and sailed the boat across,” said local Balkrishna Majhi. “That is why in this puja, it is customary to place a boat, its rudder, fishing net, fishing net, and a fishing pole in one place and worship the deity on the banks of the Koshi.”
It is also said that there is a maternal uncle-nephew relationship between the Koshi and the Majhi. The elders of the Majhi community say that this puja is also performed so that the maternal uncle will help the nephew in any work. On the occasion of this festival, Manthali Municipality has declared a public holiday today in Wards No. 1, 2, 6, 7, and 8, where the Majhi community is settled.
