Majhi community performs Koshi Puja

By Kabiraj Ghimire,Hile, Feb. 29: The Majhi community residing along the banks of the Tamor River in Dhankuta conducted the Ladi (Koshi) puja on Tuesday. Majhi community from Bhaisetar and Falametar of Dhankuta came together in Sadamatar and performed the puja.

Every year, on the last Tuesday of February, the Majhi community from the hilly areas celebrate their most significant festival, Ladi Puja or Koshi Puja. After a break of 23 years, the puja was performed in Sadamatar. The construction of a bridge in the area had led to a crisis in boating and fishing, resulting in the discontinuation of the puja in this area since 2001.

This time, people from the Majhi community of Sangurigadhi and Chaubise Rural Municipality gathered in one place to celebrate the festival together, said Phulmaya Majhi, a local of Sadamatar in Chaubise. 

“This puja faced a crisis along with our livelihood. Fishing, boating, and water-related activities are our occupations, but when these activities stopped, so did the puja. However, we resumed it because we must preserve our artistic culture,” she explained.

Recently, with the construction of roads and bridges over rivers, the primary occupation of the Majhi community, ferrying people across the river, came to a halt, leading to the discontinuation of Ladi Puja. Additionally, fishing activities ceased, preventing the performance of Ladi Puja on the river.

Rajan Majhi, a local youth, said that this time they initiated the puja with the assistance of their elderly fathers, recognising the imminent disappearance of their cultural tradition. "I forever recall celebrating it as a child, but now we have taken the initiative by seeking guidance from our elders. If we do not safeguard our cultural heritage, who will?" Rajan said.

The Majhi community, a minority group, holds the belief that after performing the puja, there is no risk involved in boating and fishing in the river. And they also believe that conducting the puja ensures their protection from being swept away by the river.

During the rainy season, the river causes human, physical, and economic damages in various locations every year. Lalman Majhi of Falametar in Chaubise-4 said that they worship the river to prevent such damages. Similarly, in the unfortunate event of someone's demise due to water-induced incidents, they also pray for the peace of their soul.

During this puja, boats, fishing nets, furungos perungos, and stones as symbols representing various deities along with bamboo, grass flora and simali are worshipped.

Similarly, dishes such as Golmadi made from rice flour are prepared and served during this puja. The Majhi community resides in all seven municipalities of Dhankuta, particularly along the banks of various rivers including the Arun and Tamor.