Asar Pandhra: Farmers’ festival

Farmers: eating, singing, dancing and playing with mud.

Asar 15 (the 15^th day of the third month of Nepali year) is also known as Asar Pandhra. This festival is related to the planting of rice paddy fields, and is celebrated all around Nepal by eating rice flakes and curd. The best spot to see and enjoy the farmers playing with water and mud within the Kathmandu Valley are in Harrisiddhi, Kirtipur, Chapagaon, Bungmati, Sanogaon and Bhaktapur. Farmers will be playing holi (festival of colours) but instead of using coloured powders they will be using mud or water mixed with mud. It will be nice to see them throwing mud at each other but make sure you are out of the way else they will start throwing it at you ......

Asar Pandhra actually indicates the beginning of the monsoon in Nepal. Yes, it is certainly the best day for paddy planting. This day is also known as national paddy day (Nepal government declared that a few years back)

Another attraction is Ashare bhaka, (this is a special traditional Nepali song sung on this day or while planting), which adds some extra charm to this day.

Have you enjoyed your rice flakes and curd today?

Bhoto Jatra (Festival of Vest):

Bhoto Jatra (Festival of Vest):

Once there was a Nag Raj (King of the Snakes) whose kingdom was in Karkotaka daha (pond), which is located at the southern part of Nepal. One day he went in search of a baidhya (traditional doctor) as his wife, Nagin (Queen of the Snakes) was ill. He came across a Farmer (who was knowledgeable about herbs and medicines) and the farmer healed the Nagin. King Nag became very happy and rewarded him an beautiful bhoto (vest) decorated with precious stones, diamonds and gold.

The farmer was working in the field as usual, but unfortunately one day his bhoto was stolen by somebody. But when that farmer was attending Machhindranath festival at Jawalakhel, he saw someone wearing the same bhoto (given by Nag Raj). A quarrel ensued between the farmer and the man wearing the vest. Finally both were taken to the King’s court for the final settlement. The king was not satisfied with either side’s evidence so in the end the king decided to demonstrate the vest during Machhindra Jatra. There would be a huge gathering during the festival and the vest would be handed over to the person who could prove that the vest belonged to him or her.

This is the same bhoto, which is demonstrated to this very day in Jawalakhel, Lagankhel Kathmandu……………… till now nobody has succeed to claim it so maybe it can be yours!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love from Nepal

Coming soon