Yomari Punhi Festival Celebrated with Enthusiasm in Newar Community
The Newar community is celebrating the vibrant Yomari Punhi festival today, marking the joy of the new rice harvest. Observed on the full moon day of Margashirsha Shukla, this festival, also known as Yomari Punhi, holds immense cultural significance and is considered one of the major celebrations for the Newars. The festival is primarily a celebration of food, with the iconic Yomari, a traditional dumpling, taking center stage. Made from rice flour prepared from freshly harvested rice, Yomari is filled with sweet molasses (chaku) and sesame seeds. The preparation of these delicacies begins early in the morning, as women of the household undertake the task of making Yomari after completing their morning rituals and cleaning the house. According to cultural expert Tejeshwar Babu Gwong, Yomari Punhi is not just about food but also a ritual marking the consumption of new grains, known as ‘Nava Anna Prashan’. This tradition signifies the community’s reverence for the harvest and the importance of new crops. As the Newar community rejoices in the festival’s warmth and cultural richness, Yomari Punhi serves as a reminder of their deep connection to agriculture, tradition, and the joy of sharing food.
The Yomari, shaped into dumplings, is often filled with various mixtures, including a milk-based ‘khuwa’, ‘chaku’, and sesame seeds. These mouthwatering treats are offered to relatives and guests during the festive day, bringing families together to celebrate the bounty of the season.
