Bhumi Puja Festival Begins, Connecting Magar Communities

Tikapur. The Bhumi festival, which is connected to the culture of the Magar ethnic group, has begun. Leaders of this ethnic group from Dang to Kailali have arrived in Tikapur to celebrate the festival.

Participants in the program organized by Nepal Magar Sangh Tikapur discussed the importance of the Bhumi festival. This community celebrates it for good harvests, nature, and increased agricultural production, said Magar community leader Dharmaraj Gharti Magar. "In the Bhume festival, we worship for good crop production. Today, everyone gathered in one place and performed the puja," he said, "We pray for protection from natural disasters and for human happiness and prosperity."

Dilu Gharti Magar, acting president of Nepal Magar Sangh Tikapur, informed that the first day included Bhumi puja and various programs, and today it will conclude with various programs. "In the program, we have presented Magar culture, dances, attire, and jewelry," he said, "We have also tried to teach the culture and traditions to the younger generation."

Ashbahadur Jigam from Dang said that he came to Tikapur from Dang to celebrate the festival prevalent in the Magar community. "We perform Bhumi puja, dance, and have fun to avoid divine damage and to get help from disasters," he said, "Collective dances and cultural programs are happening. This work helps to increase the importance of respecting the land."

Sudurpaschim Province Assembly member Laxman Kishore Chaudhary said that the festival contributes to respecting nature, community unity, and preserving cultural identity. "I liked the practice of eating local dishes and food collectively," he said, "If there is no land, we will starve; the tradition of worshipping the land that fills our stomachs is good."

Ward Chairman of Tikapur Municipality-1 Mohan Luhar Bik, Magar community leader Ramesh Thapa Magar, Sangh's Sudurpaschim President Dal Bahadur Gharti Magar, Magar Sangh District President Birendra Thapa Magar, Kamal Pun Magar, and others spoke about the importance of Bhumi puja.