Maghi Festival Celebrations Begin in Tharu Settlements of Kailali and Kanchanpur

Preparations for the Maghi festival have started in Tharu settlements across Kailali, Kanchanpur, and nearby districts. The festival, celebrated joyfully from the last day of Poush to Magh 2, marks the farewell to Poush and the welcoming of the New Year on Magh 1, according to Prabhat Kumar Chaudhary, Central Vice President of the Tharu Welfare Society.

Chaudhary said that activities such as pig slaughtering for meat have already begun in Tharu villages. Following Tharu customs, people stay awake at night, singing and dancing, performing devotional songs (Dhamar), warming by the fire, and preparing traditional dishes like Ganji and Tarul.

“On Maghi, the Tharu community wakes up early to perform ritual baths in nearby rivers or ponds, leaving coins in the water as offerings. After bathing, women handle the prepared rice and meat lentils and distribute them among family members. It is also customary to receive blessings from elders and ancestors,” he explained. On the third day, Magh 2, families traditionally eat khichdi made from rice and lentils and visit local markets.

Madhav Chaudhary, a resident of Fakalpur in Godawari Municipality–8, said that Maghi is the main festival of the Tharu community, and the villages are now adorned with festive spirit. Traditional Tharu dances (Maghauta), folk songs, and the sounds of drums and madal resonate throughout the villages, reflecting the community’s cultural heritage.

During the festival, the Tharu community reviews the past year’s activities, begins formal weddings and inheritance rituals, and strengthens family and social bonds. Special dishes like egg rice (Andi Chamal ko Bhat), roti, dhikri, pork, fish, and local delicacies are served. Children, adults, and the elderly all join in the celebrations, making it a vibrant and joyous occasion.

Maghi fairs and festivals are also organized in villages and surrounding areas, adding to the festive atmosphere in the Tharu settlements.