Hundreds of Tharu families marking Bhajhar by cooking, eating together

By Our Correspondent,Dhangadhi, Dec. 3: Amidst the gathering of villagers, food from hundreds of families is being cooked in one place.

 Clay stoves are lined up, and the cooks are busy preparing delicious food. This is a scene from Bhajhar, a tradition of the Tharu community in Mohanpur, Bhajani Municipality-2, Kailali.

The Bhajhar has been practised by this community since ancient times. 

According to traditional customs, families in Mohanpur cook their meals together in Bhajhar. 

Laxmidevi Chaudhary, who has always worked in a single kitchen, is experiencing something unique. “It’s very enjoyable when all the families in the village cook together in one place,” she said.

Currently, Bhajhar is taking place in various villages. In this tradition, all family members are required to eat their meals outside the home. Following this tradition, food from all the families in the village is cooked together, said Kavita Chaudhary from Baijpur, Kailali.

“As I understand, in any other worship of the Tharu community, food from all the families is not cooked together,” she said. “Cooking food together in one place only happens during Bhajhar.”

According to the Tharu community, Bhajhar is also a kind of religious event. It is said to be performed to remove various kinds of diseases and calamities. New rice is used to prepare the meal during Bhajhar.

In Bhajhar, food from all the families is gathered, followed by a worship ceremony, after which the food is served, said Ganga Ram Chaudhary, a member of the House of Representatives.

“Chiraki collects food, rice, and vegetables from families, and then the priest performs the worship. After that, the food is served and families enjoy the delicious food,” said Chaudhary. 

After the meal, people engage in dancing, singing, and playing various traditional games.

 Jiyar Ram Chaudhary from Chhatakpur, Kailali, said that in his village, 192 families cook food together to celebrate Bhajhar. He further added that women participate in traditional games such as ‘Chhur’ and ‘Koili Didi’ after the meal.