'Aagodeu festival' celebrated in Barangja

Myagdi, Nov.3: The Magar community of Barangja in ward 3 and 4 of Mangala rural municipality has celebrated the 'Aagodeu' festival. 

45 Kuria Magar of nine different caste living in Barangja bazar celebrates Aagodeu festical for three days from Kukur tihar (dog worship) each year. 

Wardchair-3 Yam Rokka, said that it is customary to celebrate this festival by worshiping nature with the hope that there will be no fire-related disaster.

"Nature is worshiped on the Agodeu festival according to the religious method. It starts on the day of Kukur Tihar," he said.

The festival begins after Magar shamans (priest) perform pooja at the sacred place in Shilathur of Barangja. 

On the second day, in the evening, a sheep is worshiped and sacrificed at the same place. Similarly, fire is lit and doused. The festival comes to an end on the third day after cutting the colored stones and worshiping them. 

Magars of the Pun, Gharti, Roka, Ramjali Rokka, Bajhange Roka, Gharti and Budhathoki tribes living in Barangja celebrate the Aagodeu festival. Ward president Roka said that the Agodeu festival believed to have started in the twelfth century is being observed since the beginning of settlement in Barangja. (Translated from RSS)