Majhi community preserves unique ancestral ‘Pitara’ festival in Kavrepalanchowk

KAVREPALANCHOWK: As families across Nepal are celebrating one of the major festivals- Dashain-, with tika blessings and reunions, the Majhi community in Kavrepalanchok district observes a distinctive three-day tradition honouring deceased family members through its ancestral festival-‘Pitara’.

Rooted in generations of indigenous customs, the festival is observed on specific days following Dashain’s Bijaya Dashami and Tihar’s Bhai Tika, according to the community’s traditions.

Unlike the annual death-anniversary rituals practiced in many other communities, the Majhi tradition holds that once the Pitara rites have been performed for a deceased relative, there is no need to repeat the annual shraddha ceremony during which departed ancestors (Pitri) are honoured.