Fagu Poornima (Terai) | World Consumer Rights Day | Meen Sankranti

Terai Holi
Loud and bright Terai Holi.
Today, players from different parts of the country, including Kathmandu, are relaxing. In fact, those who enjoyed the colors in the hills of the inner Madhes and central hills of Nepal exchanged colors and ecstasy yesterday. Now it is Holi for the flatlands and scattered trees of Terai.

Traditionally, the Terai region celebrates this festival a day later. Holi is commemorated for the victory against Holika, and the Terai people celebrate this victory on the next day of Holika Dahan. In this story, the citizens of King HiranyaKasyapa's kingdom were divided into two groups: those who supported prince Bhakta Prahlad and those who opposed him. Prahlad was accused of praying to Lord Vishnu in the kingdom and palace of King Hiranyakasyapa. Hiranyakasyapa was against Lord Vishnu, and he never liked his own son being a devotee of Vishnu. Later, Holika (the King's sister) and Prahlad sat on the flaming fire, but the fire refused to burn Prahlad as Holika turned into ashes. In this victory of truth and purity against untruth, people celebrated Holi.

Why are Terai and Hilly Holi celebrated differently in Nepal?
The Terai people commemorate Holi the day after this historic incident, which makes Terai Holi the day after. However, Terai Holi is also said to be a day after because of the Mithila Parikrama (ancient religious walking following the pathway of Lord Rama and Mother Sita). The Mithila Parikrama wraps up on Falgun Poornima, and the next day Holi is celebrated.

Be it anything or for any reason, Holi is manifested in vivid colors, louder feelings, and a brighter way in Nepal's Terai. The widespread use of colored powder began during the TretaYug when Lord Rama defeated Ravana in battle. Terai Holi is a depiction of the Awadh celebration of Holi, and Ayodhya is the fountain of Holi celebration. Songs are sung with vigor in Maithili and Vojpuri, and the legacy is captured in words and melodies. Underneath the waxing moon and along with the traditional musical instruments, Holi gets more and more colorful as the day matures. Ponds are colored, glasses are filled with Ghotta (a traditionally prepared tranquilizing drink made of vaang and milk), and the aroma of Taruwa, Varuwa, and Malpuwas (traditional delicacies) wafts from kitchens.

जोगिरा सरररररररर,
कुन तालमे ढोलक नाचे कुन ताल मजीरा
कुन तालमे नटुवा नाचे कुन ताल नजारा
के वोलो सारारारारारारारारारारा
के वोलो सारारारारारारारारारारारा

Who is Jogira?
Dholak is the key identification of Terai, a traditional musical instrument that is used in delivering messages to villages and also as an alarm for the commencement of any festival or ritual. Here the song states that a Jogiraa, "an average Terai person," is dancing to the beat of Dholak, and Jogiraa can hardly manage his beat according to Dholak because he is intoxicated by the holy drink of Holi. Jogiraa travels from one village to another, filled with love and compassion. In his ecstasy of compassion, Jogiraa can hardly find any difference between pain and pleasure; he swims in the waves of devotion and humanity. You don't have to get drunk or intoxicated to be Jogiraa, but Holi demands a higher level of brotherhood, humanity, and compassion.

Natuva dances in traditional Natuva attire in many Terai locations today during Holi. Natuva means traditional dancers who deliver a story through their dance; they can act both male and female. The tingling horn of the cycle, the hay pinnacle in the backyard, the small stepping line between two fields (Khet ko aali),, and the grain-storing traditional store (Bhakari) at the courtyard—everything gets colorful in Holi.

Kanchan Ban Ram khele Holi (Ram celebrates Holi in KanchanBan), a traditional village in Nepal's Mahottari district. This is one of the most popular Terai Holi songs; the Western Terai of Nepal also brings the Holi experience played with soft mud; this must be an incredible Holi experience. Holi lightens every dismal night. May the color and light of Holi illuminate every corner of this planet.
Happy Holi, Holi Heyyyyy.

World Consumer Rights Day



 

Kennedy's declaration of the four rights of consumers
About 61 years ago today, on March 15, 1962, the then US President John F. Kennedy declared safety, information, choice and hearing as the four rights of consumers. In memory of this historic day, this day is celebrated all over the world on March 15th. Until Kennedy addressed the rights of consumers, consumer rights and rights were not very important in the world, and later, based on these four rights, the United Nations General Assembly passed a treaty with eight more rights in 1985. According to Section 6 of the Consumer Protection Convention 1985 and the Consumer Protection Act 2054 passed by the United Nations, various rights have been guaranteed to every consumer who purchases and consumes goods or services. The eight rights of consumers are protection, information, choice, hearing, consumer education, compensation, access to basic needs and the right to a clean and healthy environment.
On the same basis, each country has issued consumer laws. Even if nations issue laws, each of us consumers should be aware of the four basic principles underlying consumer rights. It is the responsibility of the government and the providers who produce, import, store or sell goods or services to make consumers aware and aware.

Producers, providers or sellers of goods or services must be responsible to the consumer because the entire demand and supply chain and the market mechanism itself depends on the interest and purchasing power of the consumer. Consumers are the sovereign of the market, as the market cannot operate without consumers. Therefore, today advocates that consumers should be given rights and consumers should be respected in the market.

Slogan of the year 2025
This year, Consumers International has selected “ A just transition to sustainable lifestyles."as the theme for World Consumer Rights Day 2025.

Meen Sakranti



 

12th Sakranti of the year
With the dryness and light breezes of March, dried leaves and dust particulars frequently appear and reappear in our courtyard and doorsteps. These movements bring a strange inspiration to our hearts, the long winter is now being compensated by the warm waves. Congratulations, we have managed to witness these 11 incredible months of the current year, welcome to this final and 12th month, Chaitra.

Meaning of Sakranti
The pure Sanskrit translation defines the word "Sanskrit" as a transitional and changing phase of time, Sakranti depicts the changes of months, and the first day of a new month is Sakranti as we all know. Along with these passing months, our dress, seasons, and thinking are also changed, Meen Sankranti now demands to store your winter clothes and take back summer clothes.

Movement of sun in Meen sakranti
Sun enters in Meen Rashi from either Kumva or Mesh Rashi, this day has its religious significance and devotion towards the Sun and its light. Rural Nepal is now all set to organize local fares "Melas", Chaitra is a month of color and brightness. These Melas are organized above the recently cut wheat plants in the fields, Cuckoos are singing the valor of love and rejoice.

Welcome to the spring, king of all seasons. Loads of love, Happy Chaitra.

-Suyog Dhakal