SATV, Kathmandu, Mar. 4 - The Majhi community of Sunsari has observed the traditional Ladi festival by performing worship at the Saptakoshi River. 

The Ladi Puja, which is celebrated every year on the third Tuesday of the Nepali month of Falgun with a large gathering, was marked this time without a fair.

Ghanshyam Majhi, District Chairperson of the Majhi Utthan Association, Sunsari, said that although members of the marginalised Majhi community from Jhapa, Morang, Sunsari and Udayapur usually gather at the Saptakoshi River to celebrate the festival collectively, it was observed this year with only a worship ceremony due to the House of Representatives elections.

According to him, the ritual worship of water was performed in accordance with tradition. While Majhi communities from across eastern Nepal generally gather and celebrate the occasion with a grand fair, the festival was limited to ritual worship this year due to the election code of conduct and the silence period.

Local Majhi people gathered at Shishauli Ghat on the Saptakoshi River, located on the border of wards -7 and 2 of Barahakshetra Municipality in Sunsari, and offered Panchabali before collectively worshipping the Koshi River. 

As per tradition, they installed stone deities, bamboo and simali poles along the riverbank at Shishauli Ghat and performed rituals for their boats, fishing nets and other fishing equipment.

The Majhi community has long maintained the custom of worshipping the Koshi River, praying that no obstacles or human casualties occur while ferrying boats or fishing, their ancestral occupation.

Chairperson Majhi said that during Ladi Puja, regarded as the community’s main festival, they worship Jal Devi and Seti Devi and offer Panchabali, including a buffalo, pig, goat, chicken and pigeon to the Koshi River.

Ganga Majhi, Treasurer of the Majhi Utthan Association, Barahakshetra Municipal Committee, said that as the Majhi people’s lives are closely connected to river-based resources, Ladi Puja holds great significance for the community. 

According to her, on the eve of Ladi, or Koshi Puja, families plaster and clean their homes, and early the next morning, all family members bathe, wear new clothes and participate in the communal worship at the river.

Promila Majhi, a local resident, said that the Majhi community, which depends on rivers and streams, has been performing Ladi Puja every year at the Saptakoshi River to preserve and protect their ancestral occupation. 

There is a popular belief that after worshipping the Koshi River, one will not be swept away while swimming and will be protected from loss of life and property.