Palpa: The 43rd Magar Day was celebrated with enthusiasm in Palpa district on Thursday. The indigenous Magar community participated in a variety of cultural activities, including the preparation of special dishes, traditional dances, and other festivities to mark the occasion.
According to National News Agency Nepal, the celebration featured an array of traditional cuisines such as batuk, chukaune, gherkin, sel roti, and various chicken and pork dishes. Participants like Khagishwor Magar from Kailashnagar of Tansen expressed joy at wearing ethnic costumes, emphasizing their importance as symbols of the Magar community’s identity and the necessity of cultural preservation.
Anisha Ale from Mathagadhi echoed the sentiment, advocating for the protection and promotion of cultural heritage through vibrant festival celebrations. The event included a program with pageants, songs, and dances, highlighting the joy and unity of the Magar people. Bishnu Gagamagar from Baganaskali rural municipality noted the widespread festive atmosphere in Magar-dominated areas.
The United Magar Upliftment Society also hosted special events, marking its 17th anniversary alongside Magar Day. All local levels of Ramgha rural municipality held cultural programs, and a public holiday was declared, leading to the closure of schools and public offices.
Traditional dances such as kaura, maruni, jhyaure, and salaijo were performed by the Magar community, which makes up more than 54 percent of Palpa district’s population according to the latest census. The Magar population in Nepal is over 2.3 million, accounting for 6.9 percent of the country’s total population.