Udhauli Parva

Meaning of Udho and Ungo

The great festival of the Kirants, Sakela, has two festive aspects, Ugauli and Udhauli. Ungo means up in Nepali and Undho means down.

Mangsir Poornima

Udhaunli festival falls every year on the full moon day of Mangsir. According to Kiranti's belief, winter has started from this day. Also, this festival is celebrated with the joy of harvesting crops. In Kirant's religious book 'Mandhum', an entire year is divided into two parts based on the migration of birds, Ugauli and Udhaunli.

The Kirants, who live on the mountain ranges, migrate down to the flatlands during winter and gradually move towards the mountain as it gets warmer. Today, it is customary for the Kirant brothers and sisters to gather in public places and perform the traditional 'Sakela' dance in traditional attire.

Besides, traditional musical instruments and especially invaluable musical instruments of Kirant culture, drums, zyamta, etc are played. Seeing these dances that are very calm and slow, there is a musical melody in the waist.The traditional dress worn by women in this dance is made of a special kind of fabric called chitko gunyu. On top of that, a special kind of drink, tongba is provided. Tongba is such a delightful drink that the soft trip of this drink makes you forget the pain and adds romanticism to one's life.

Today, public gatherings and dances are held in Kathmandu's Tudikhel, Ilam, Panchthar, Tehrathum, and other places of the country where various Kirants are predominant. Kiranti friends, dressed in traditional attire, shake hands with each other and many people gather to watch the dance performed in a very attractive way.

The Kirants are the worshipers of the land, the special significance of the land, and the wonderful love of mother earth resides in this community. Today, the holy land is also considered worship. Worshipping the land, thanking God for this year's grain, they also pray for a good harvest next year.

The world should be able to learn this selfless reverence and harmony towards soil or earth through Kirants. No matter how much development and technology, our existence is linked with the existence of the earth, our common home, let's all love this earth, good luck to all!

Yomari Punhi

Similarly, the Newar community, rich in diverse ancient cultures and traditions, scattered all over the country, including the Kathmandu Valley, is celebrating Yomari punhi today. Today's Yomari Punhi and Dhanya Purnima carry special significance along with agricultural work.

Harvesting is formally over today

Formal harvesting of paddy is done from Yomari Punhi i.e. full moon. That is why today is also called Dhanya Purnima. Yomari is made from water vapour by making a new rice husk in the shape of a fish and putting Sakhhar, sesame seeds, milk feed, etc. inside it.

The shape of Yomari and its significance

The triangular shape of Yomari is considered to be the semicircle of Saraswati or the image of knowledge. As the people of Kathmandu consider Machhindranath as the god of water, the tradition of offering new crops and food made from them to Annapurna, the mother of grains or crops, has been going on for centuries.

On this day, children go to the door of a neighbour and ask for yomari while having fun. In terms of how yomari was made, yomari appeared as a new dish made from fresh rice by a family in what is now in Panauti, and it is popularly called yomari because the family allowed all the villagers to taste the dish. In the Nepali language, yomari means sweet bread.

Jyapu Day

Jyapu Day is a special celebration observed by the Newar community. This day honors and appreciates the contributions of the Jyapu, the agricultural and hard working farmers of the Newa society. It is celebrated annually on Jyapu Purnima, which falls after Gathamuga Chare in the month of Mangsir. Jyapu Day reflects the importance of Newar culture, traditions, and lifestyle while showcasing its uniqueness.

Activities on Jyapu Day

On this day, people dress in traditional Newar attire and participate in processions, cultural dances, and rallies. Speeches in the (Nepal Bhasa) Newa language, exhibitions of agricultural tools, and displays of local products are also organized to mark the occasion. Traditional Newar music and dances, which highlight the identity of the Jyapu community, add vibrancy to the celebration.

In places like Patan, Bhaktapur, and Kathmandu, this festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm. It plays a significant role in preserving and promoting Newar culture.

Poornima Vrata

From a scientific point of view, it is said that gravity will have a great effect on the earth on the day of the full moon and self-purification will be done by fasting on this day and remembering the name of God. By fasting on this day, the metabolic process will be strengthened, gastric problems will be solved and positive energy will increase in the body.

This day is fasted from sunrise in the morning to moonrise in the evening. Some people observe this fast without drinking water, while others observe this fast by eating only one meal and eating no salt (alino) food. In the evening, after the moonrise, the fast ends with the sighting of the moon. Happy Shukla Purnima to everyone .

Let there be an end to the flood and landslide, let there be the protection of both religion and the followers of religion.

Dhanne Poornima

Masinar Purnima is celebrated as Dhanne Poornima all over Nepal. On the day of Dhanyapurnima, there is a tradition of worshiping rice in the form of Lakshmi to celebrate the arrival of new paddy. Today, the Newar community worships Yomari as an idol of Dhanya Lakshmi. The nature worshipping Kirats consider this day as Udhauli festival, while others observe Dhanne Poornima and also perform their sacred kul puja on this day.