Ethnic THARU wear

Nepal is a diverse country with varied landscapes and indigenous communities. Among the indigenous group the THARU community has its own traditional costumes and jewels. Lets see what their communities like to wear on a day to day basis.

The major costumes of a THARU man consists of a Mardani (dhoti) and Phad (Kachhad- a piece of cloth worn to cover the lower part of the body as in the picture). THARU people are generally engaged in agriculture and live in the Terai (plains) regions of the country. It is due to the nature of their occupations and climate that THARU people prefer wearing short and thin cloths, as they are light and comfortable. While working in the field, the THARU men generally carry their hats made up from bamboo and dried leaves, "Kodalo" (spade) to plough the field, tobacco and a sickle fixed at their waist with a string. THARU men are laborious and appear tough and fit.

However the costumes and ornaments worn by THARU women are completely unique compared to other tribes. Cholia (Choli) is worn as a top, Nahagi is a white cloth dress and Uporona is the cloth worn around the chest area are the mojor attires worn by the THARU community women. During special occassions and festival different jewels made from gold and silver are worn on various parts of the body. The different kinds of ornaments worn by THARU women are "Nathiya" on the nose, "Kanphul" in the ear, "Hansuli" and "Kanthi" on the neck, "Matha" on the wrist, "Tadia" on the elbow,"Tikuli" on the forehead and "Upairi" on their feet. THARU women also love to have Godana- a tattoo art made on various parts of their body.

Hope this is helpful for you all. 

Info courtesy: THARU MESUEM, CHITWAN.

CHAITRA

The Ghode Jatra, festival of horse parade falls on this month. It is celebrated in joint venture from Nepal army and police with different horse shows, bicycles show and acrobatics. Culturally all the idols of Lumadi, Bhadrakali, Kankeshwori and Bhairav are brought to Ason chowk during the daytime and taken to Tundikhel during the evening. This is also the day when all these deities meet (as they are usually scattered around the different areas). Newar communities celebrate Paanchare a 3 day celebration where guests are invited to their homes for celebrations and get-together.  On the first day people clean their surroundings as a tribute to lord Lukumahadev, Khats (chariots ) are dashed among each other as to mark the meeting of the sisters near the Annapurna temple. The second day is the real Ghode Jatra and people have guests coming together at home on this day and this is also a public holiday where the event gathers huge crowd all over from Nepal to watch the spectacle (Not to forget the picture in MX paper Australia). This continues till the third day which also includes cleaning of the sewage to keep oneself free from any upcoming summer diseases. 

Now the main story behind Ghode Jatra is that it is celebrated to mark the win on demon Tundi, who had distressed the people living in Kathmandu. When he died people danced on his body with horses. Hence it is believed that the tapping of the horses keeps the spirits of the demon well below the ground. 

Chite Dashin is also celebrated on this month. It is usually celebrated as a two day event first being the Ramnawami where people fast and visit temples and the second being the dashami. It has same importance as the Dashin festival as it also marks the win of good over evil (in this case being win of lord Ram over Ravan). People get-together, have delicacies, foods and have fun.

Seto Machindranath Rath Yatra also falls in this month. Setomachindranath idol is kept in a chariot and is pulled by people to various locations. The idol is also taken to its mother's place in Gabahal where it circles the temple three times. People come to worship the Mother and Son at this yearly event and lite 108 diyos (lamps).

FALGUN

Falgun the festival month and the month with loads of holidays and with special meaning behind them. At the start of the month falls the Rastrya Prajatantra Diwas, marking the National Democracy Day. We than have our holy Maha Shivaratri, which attracts devotees not only from all parts of Nepal but also India and other nations which have huge following of hinduism. One of the popular story of the reason behind Shiva Ratri is that, on a cold night a person was sitting under a tree and shivering with cold. This then made the person make noise which sounded like "SHIV SHIV SHIV", and  with this pain and suffering he was going through the lord somehow created a fire and he was able to fight the cold winter. Hence, this day people light fire and enjoy the heat to fight the winter. Children collect money, rice, wood and chocolates from public for fun.

Then falls the Gyalpo Lhosar (I did not keep pics as I did not have one and the ones from the internet were confusing..). This is the new year celebration of the Tibetan New Year and is celebrated for three consecutive days. On the first day people make beverage called CHANGKOL, a tibetan version of beer. The second day is the Losar, the main event day and the third day people and families come together for celebration. Huge celebration is done by performing traditional dances, chanting mantras and ceremonial dances. One of the interesting thing done is the serving of dumplings with bizzare fillings like stone, wood, paper, chillies etc and people define the findings with the character of the person (Imagine finding a chilli inside.... what is that suppose to mean...) but its all done for fun.

Nari Diwas, Womens Day also falls in this month in celebration of womanhood. Various events, fashion shows, educational information and awards are presented throughout the nation to celebrate the achievements of women. Then comes the best celebration of this month, HOLI which is equally enjoyed by young and old generations. People throw colours, water filled balloons and plain water to each other and celebrate HOLI. (P.S. I kept my recent HOLI celebration pic here with my school buddies back home. Aww I love you all...). According to the story behind the celebration, HOLI is celebrated with the death of HOLIKA the sister of Hiranyakashyap who wanted to kill his own son Prahlad for chanting lord Bishnu's name every time. Nevertheless it also marks the coming of spring the colourful season.

MAGH

Magh is the moth of devotion, festivals and get together. The first day of the month is celebrated as MAGHE SANKRANTI or MAKAR SANKRANTI. The word SANKRANTI means change of sun position between the Zodiac signs. It signifies the start of spring and harvest season and halfway through to winter. This is also the festival of worshipping the sun. This is celebrated by taking a dip in holy rivers preferably the junction of three rivers "TRIVENIES" like Sankhamol, Dolalghat, Ridi, Dev Ghat etc are famous sites and have fairs to mark the day. People prepare special feast for the day which includes Til ko Laddu (Brown and white sesame seed fudge), Yam,  Clarified butter, sweet potatoes and Spinach curry. All these delicasies are considered to have a warm effect to the body.

People from Newar community go to their elders for family gatherings and the elder person of the family keep(massage) sesame oil in the rest of the family head and body. In the Tharu community this day marks as the new year, and is the biggest festival and is called MAGHI in local languages. They celebrate it as a mark of end of winter and beginning of summer and is celebrated for a week. This festival is also named as KHOJINI and BHOJINI. This is mainly because they select a Bhalmansa, the person who takes decision an any case of disputes, Guruwa, the person who is responsible to treat people from different diseases and Chiragi, the guard. The tenure of the position is for one year and people discuss their problems and discussions of the whole year in the ceremony.

This month is also the fasting month of Shree Swosthani. This is the story which is told by Lord Kartika to Agastha Muni, the saint. Lord Kartika tells Agastha Muni about the formation of universe.The women usually take the fasting and read the book early morning or evening before meal. There is belief that Goddess Swasthani will fulfil all the good wishes and bless us as a result of the fasting. Every-time before the start of the story a worship is made to the Swosthani book with the offerings of Aabir (red colour), Kesari, flowers, lights and fruits. The end of the recitation of the whole book is performed by making a "OM" sigh in a copper plate and a Shiva Linga on the top and worshiping the Lord Shiva. The tradition also holds that all the family members come together to listen the story and worship the book and goddess at the end and having the offerings of the goddess as Prasad.

Also this month is the celebration of SONAM (TAMANG) Lochar, meaning new year. Tamang community celebrates the new year in the new moon day of the month Magh. This year is the 2848th year of Tamangs celebration. It is celebrated by cleaning the house, colouring the doors and windows, wearing new cloths and visiting the monastries, stupas and chaitras. The houses are cleaned thoroughly and all the bad luck are swept out in order to make space for good fortune and luck. People now-a-days gather in big get-together and celebrate by doing puja, cultural programs, wearing ethnic costumes, playing their ethics instrument Damfu and making music and having a feast. So what are you excited about this month!!!!???