Preparations Underway for Maghi Festival in Tharu Settlements

As the Maghi festival approaches, preparations have begun in the Tharu settlements here. Following the tradition of preparing about a month before the festival — which the Tharu community celebrates as the New Year — local residents are increasingly busy these days.

According to Rama Chaudhary of Ghorahi Sub-Metropolitan City–7, the Tharu community gathers at the homes of village leaders (mahatwa) to plan for the year ahead. She said, “We have brought branches and leaves from the forest for Maghi preparations. We are tying the leaves together. We have also started pounding and processing rice and grains for making dhikri, roti, and jand.”

To prepare food items for the festival, people start preparations a month in advance, and the Maghi festival is celebrated for four to five days from the day of Maghe Sankranti.

Sushil Chaudhary of Ghorahi–2 shared that the Tharu community gives special importance to Maghi because they elect village headmen and household leaders, appoint watchmen, and enforce or revise certain rules. He said the festival is also seen as a time to review the past year’s work and plan for the coming year.

On the day before Maghi, Tharu men light a sacred fire and warm themselves. Villagers gather to warm themselves, bathe in nearby rivers or streams with the rising sun, and after bathing, they greet elders with blessings and offer khichdi at home.

The khichdi includes lentils, rice, and salt. According to Ashok Chaudhary, President of the Tharu Welfare Association in Dang, this khichdi is set aside for ancestors, deities, and unmarried daughters. “Family members do not eat the reserved khichdi; instead it is given as gifts (kośeli) to daughters’ families,” he said.

On the morning before Maghi, villagers gather to slaughter pigs — called jita marna in Tharu — and share the meat equally. Special dishes such as ghongi, gangta, and fish are prepared, and the traditional “Maghauta dance” is performed.

According to Tharu leader Bhim Bahadur Chaudhary of Ghorahi–6, the Tharu community regards the month of Magh as their New Year. At the end of Poush, people settle their accounts, and from Magh 1 they begin new ledgers. He added that during Maghi, both families and the village community renew plans for farming and other activities for the coming year.

Preparations for the Maghi Festival

As Magh draws near, organizations related to the Tharu community have begun hosting cultural festivals. On the occasion of the biggest Tharu festival, Maghi, a Magh Festival will be held on Poush 19 at Shaheed Park, Ghorahi Sub-Metropolitan City–15. “The Maghi festival is being organized to preserve and promote Tharu language, literature, folk art, and culture,” said President Chaudhary of the Tharu Welfare Association, Dang.

On this occasion, Tharu Samvat 2649 will also be celebrated. According to the organizers, the festival will feature Maghauta dance, Tharu cultural performances, tableaux displays, and various cultural programs.

Additionally, Tharu dishes such as ghongi, fish, gangta, dhikri, and andi roti will be sold and distributed at the festival. Tharu language books and handicrafts will also be exhibited and offered for sale, the president said.