Kathmandu, January 12
The Maghi Festival to be celebrated by the Tharu and Magar communities in Tundikhel on
Magh 1 has been postponed. The Maghi Festival has been postponed after a smart lockdown that prevented more than 25 people from gathering in the Kathmandu Valley due to the increase in corona. According to Nanduraj Chaudhary, cultural coordinator of the Tharu Maghi Festival, the program is being held at the Tamu Buddhist Service Committee in Anmangarh as an alternative to Tundikhel. Coordinator Chaudhary said, ”On Magh 1, the program will be given a formality in the presence of a small number of people.”
Sanjog Lafa Magar told News channel that the Nepal Magar Association has issued an urdi to celebrate Maghi from house to house without holding any fair this year.
Meanwhile, the Tharu Maghi Festival announced in the districts of Tharhat is being postponed. The Khichda Festival in Chitwan has been postponed on the occasion of Maghi. Similarly, the Magh Mahotsav organized by Tharu Kalyankarini Sabha Dang has been postponed, said Assembly Speaker Bhuvan Chaudhary.
Tharu Maghi special program held in Surkhet
On the occasion of Maghi, Lakhagin Tharu Upliftment Forum Surkhet and Tharu Organic
Community Homestay Tilpur organized a program in Birendranagar on Tuesday.
Man Bahadur Panna, chairman of Lakhagin Tharu Utthan Manch Surkhet, said that the program was organized with training as the new generation did not know much about the importance and originality of Maghi festival. Panna presented a working paper on the importance of Maghi festival.
On the occasion, Ward Chairman of Ward No. 9 of Birendranagar Municipality Suresh Kumar
Manandhar said that the celebration of Tharu historical festival by gathering from all the
villages in one place would help in preserving the culture. Manandhar said that it was necessary to protect all castes as culture was the identity of the country. He also informed that there is continuous financial support from the ward including Tharu Sangrahayal.
Sanisara Mahatam, advisor of Lakhagin Tharu Upliftment Forum, stressed on the need for the Tharu community to be aware of the language and culture of the Tharus in Surkhet. Speakers at the program included Tharu Kalyankarini Sabha, Surkhet president Bechulal Chaudhary, Tharu intellectuals Lal Bahadur Chaudhary, Janglal Chaudhary, Amar Chaudhary, Sher Bahadur Tharu and others. Tharu dances and songs of various artist groups were also performed in the program.
By Karuna Thapa
