Udhauli Parva | Yomari Punhi | Dhanya Poornima | Jyapu Diwas | Gadimaai Mela Ends

Udhauli Parwa
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.

 Meanwhile, on the occasion of Udhauli, the President, Vice President, Prime Minister and leaders of various political parties conveys good wishes and expressed hope that this day would inspire all religions, castes, languages ​​, and people of Nepal to unite and promote mutual harmony and brotherhood to establish peace and order in the country. There is a trend.

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 / Dhanya Purnima



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.

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.

Jyapu Day (Jyapu Diwas)



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.

Heartfelt wishes on this meaningful occasion!

Conclusion of the Gadhimai Fair
The Gadhimai Fair is one of the largest religious and cultural festivals in the world. Held every five years at the Gadhimai Temple in Bara District, Nepal, it is often referred to as the quinquennial fair. This festival holds special significance for Hindu devotees, who perform special worship and rituals dedicated to the goddess Gadhimai.
While the fair runs throughout the month of Mangsir, the last five days are considered the most important. The primary activities of the fair include worship, fire rituals (havan), and the traditional practice of animal sacrifices. On the final day of the fair, a special prayer is conducted to formally conclude the event. Afterward, the devotees, who come in millions from various places, prepare to return home, and cleanup efforts in and around the temple premises commence.

Glory to Gadhimai!

-Suyog Dhakal