The government had declared first day of Maghi as holiday for people of Tharu community in 2058 BS. Following pressure from the community, the government declared public holiday on Maghi four years later.[break]
“Public holiday of one day is not enough for us to celebrate Maghi. It is one of the biggest festivals of our community,” Satya Narayan Chaudhary, coordinator of Tharu Maghi Festival Organizing Committee 2069, told a press meet on Friday.
Like past years, the Tharu community is preparing to celebrate Maghi festival with much fanfare this year. A total of 21 committees have been formed to celebrate Tharu Maghi Festival 2069 in Tundikhel on the first day of Magh (January 14). Deputy Prime Minister Bijaya Kumar Gachchhadar is scheduled to inaugurate the event.
The festival will have food stalls showcasing culinary delights of the Tharu community. Similarly, other stalls will have on display handicraft items and other products prepared by the Tharu people.
“Maghi is a national festival; it is not only the festival of the Tharu community,” Suman Ghimire of Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) said.
On the eve of the festival, the organizers are holding a motorbike rally. The rally will begin from Tinkune and conclude at Bhrikuti Mandap.
Tharus are the ethnic group indigenous to Tarai region. Their population hover around one million, according to recent census.
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