Judshital festival being observed in Tarai today

Mahottari, April 15: The Judshital festival is being observed in Tarai/Madhes today. In the two-day-long festival, the first day falls on New Year Day and it is called Satuwain.    
    
Similarly, the second day is called Judshital. However, some believe Judshital is a part of Satuwain.    
    
On the first day of the festival, flour made of seven species of legumes and cereals is prepared and eaten together with homemade syrup. These special flour and syrup are offered to the family deities and handed over to priests, Brahmin and sages before taken together in family and among relatives.    
    
The senior people at home sprinkle jal (holy water) over juniors, wishing them health, longevity and mildness.    
    
Judshital is one of the least festivals with worshipping of family deities in the houses of Mithila region. All sorts of cuisines prepared on this occasion are offered to family deities.    
    
The use of curd is prioritized during this festival observed in the onset of summer season. The things that make body cool are consumed during this season. The food items made of the flour of gram, raw banana and gourd are special dishes.    
    
The collation is believed to ensure good digestion and provide coolness in body with the onset of summer season after the New Year.    
    
Expert on Maithili folk culture and former administrator, Maheshwor Raya, 87, informed that the special dishes prepared on these days also signal the arrival of summer season. The Mithila people welcome the coming monsoon season by splashing mud among each other. The monsoon season is the time of plantation.    
    
Even the plants and trees around homes are watered to ward off dryness.    
    
Kameshwor Jha, 70, from Dhamaura of Balawa-10 informed that the main message of this festival is general wish of good plantation and harvest for a year. All castes and communities in Mithila region celebrate this festival with fan fare- exchange greetings and enjoy commensality. (RSS)