Maghi Festival begins across Tharu settlement
Kailali: The Maghi festival has begun in Tharu settlements across Kanchanpur and other districts. Celebrated with great enthusiasm from the last day of Poush to Magh 2, the festival marks the farewell to Poush and the welcome of the New Year on Magh 1, said Prabhat Kumar Chaudhary, central vice-president of the Tharu Welfare Sabha.
According to him, the traditional slaughtering of pigs for meat has already started in Tharu villages. As per Tharu culture, people stay awake throughout the night, dancing and singing, chanting hymns in the name of God by raising their voices in dhamar, lighting fires, preparing dishes such as ganji and yam, and sharing meals together.
He explained that on the day of Maghesang Kranti, members of the Tharu community wake up early in the morning and go to nearby rivers or lakes to bathe. While bathing, they immerse themselves in the water and leave coins and money. After returning home, women sing dhamar, touch the separated rice and meat dal, and offer them to the daughters of the household. This is followed by the tradition of seeking blessings from ancestors and elders. On the third day, Magh 2, there is also a tradition of eating rice and meat dal khichdi and visiting nearby markets.
According to Madhav Chaudhary, a local of Fakalpur in Godavari Municipality-8, as Maghi is the main festival of the Tharu community, celebrations are in full swing in Tharu settlements. Villages inhabited by the Tharu community are immersed in the festive atmosphere, with the sound of the duff and madal resonating alongside Maghouta dance and folk songs that reflect Tharu traditions and culture.
During the festival, the Tharu community also reviews past activities. Chaudhary said that with Maghi, the community formally begins weddings, property distribution and other social activities. On this occasion, it is customary to set aside mutual animosity, meet relatives and friends, and share various Tharu dishes, including rice and egg roti, dhikri and meat.
As the festival marks the beginning of the new year, wearing new clothes is customary, and family members working away from home have already returned to celebrate together.
During Maghi, local dishes such as rice and egg roti, dhikri, bariya, ghongi, pork meat, fish and gangta are commonly consumed. Maila Chaudhary of Baiyabehdi in Dhangadhi said that as this is a festival enjoyed by both children and the elderly, it is being celebrated with great enthusiasm. He said that people are enjoying themselves by eating and celebrating with relatives, family members and friends in their villages, adding that the excitement of Maghi helps the community forget the hardships of the past. To mark the occasion, fairs and festivals have been organized in Tharu villages and surrounding areas.