Atwari festival concludes

By Siraj Khan,Nepalgunj, Aug. 26: The Atwari festival, which began on Sunday, concluded on Monday by offering ‘Agrasan’ to sisters in the Tharu-dominated villages of Banke and Bardiya districts. 

The festival was celebrated with special enthusiasm and joy for two days in the areas predominantly inhabited by the Tharu community in both districts.

 During this festival, the Tharu people worship Bhima, the powerful brother among the five Pandavas from the Mahabharata, with great reverence. 

According to Tharu leader Hemant Chaudhary, on the first day, men observed a fast while offering prayers to Bhima, and on Monday, the food specially prepared for sisters, known as ‘Agrasan’, was delivered to the homes of married sisters to conclude the festival.

He said that the festival is called Atwari because it falls on the first Sunday after Shree Krishna Ashtami, and on this day, most Tharu men observe a fast for their sisters.

Tharu leader Dipendra Chaudhary from Kohalpur Mathawa said that the festival is celebrated for two days.

 On the first day, men fast throughout the day and prepare fruits and flatbreads, and on the second day, the cooked food is taken to the homes of the sisters.

 According to him, after completing the evening worship, the food set aside for daughters and sisters is called Agrasan.

On the second day, brothers visit the homes of their married sisters taking the Agrasan. Chaudhary said that sisters accept Agrasan with great significance.

Similarly, Tharu leader Som Demnadora Daibhai from Rajapur, Bardiya, said that Atwari provides a special opportunity for brothers to express affection for their sisters.

 He said, “Once Agrasan is given, the festival concludes formally. It is also regarded as a festival that strengthens mutual harmony, unity, and relationships.”

Another Tharu leader, Bhimsen Chaudhary, from Rajapur, Bardiya, recounted a traditional legend transmitted within the Tharu community. According to this legend, Bhewa (Bhima) traversed the Tarai region, where the Tharu people reside. 

The legend describes a demon that caused unrest, inflicted suffering, and harassed young girls in the area. Bhima liberated the local population from these afflictions, and in his honour, the Tharu community continues to observe the Atwari festival. Tharu leader Bhagataram Chaudhary from Nepalgunj stated that the Atwari festival is regarded as a symbol of reverence for women and fraternity within the Tharu community.