Chitwan & the Terai · Sauraha
Maghi, the Tharu new year
माघी
Maghi is the Tharu new year, celebrated on the first day of Magh in mid-January. Tharu families bathe at dawn, visit relatives, eat dhikri, sweet potatoes and meat, and dance late into the night. In Chitwan's Tharu villages it is the warmest week of the winter.
Across Nepal, the first day of Magh is Maghe Sankranti, when the sun moves into Capricorn and the coldest month ends. For the Tharu people of the Terai it is also Maghi, their new year and their biggest festival. The day falls on a fixed date in the solar calendar, usually 14 or 15 January.
Families begin with an early bath in a river or pond, then gather at home. Younger people seek blessings from elders, and married daughters visit their parents. Food is central: dhikri, steamed rice-flour cakes, are made in large batches, along with sweet potato, tarul yam, and meat or fish curries. Rice beer is shared in many homes.
In the western Terai, Maghi is also when village affairs are settled for the coming year, and communities choose or confirm village leaders. In Chitwan's Tharu villages around Sauraha, Barauli and Amaltari, the festival brings dancing, singing and visits between houses over several days. Visitors staying in Tharu homestays are often invited to share the food.
Tips
- Stay in a Tharu homestay in Barauli or Amaltari to be part of the celebrations.
- Try dhikri with pickle and curry; it is made fresh for Maghi.
- Combine Maghi with the Maghe Sankranti mela at Devghat, held on the same day.
- Pack warm layers; mid-January mornings in Chitwan are cold and foggy.
Questions
When is Maghi?
Maghi falls on the first day of the month of Magh in the Nepali calendar, the same day as Maghe Sankranti, usually 14 or 15 January. Celebrations in Tharu villages often continue for several days. Check current status before you travel for the exact date each year.
How do the Tharu celebrate Maghi?
With an early ritual bath, family gatherings, blessings from elders, feasts of dhikri, sweet potato, yam and meat curries, and singing and dancing. In the western Terai it is also a time for choosing village leaders and settling community affairs for the year ahead.
Can visitors join Maghi celebrations in Chitwan?
Yes, especially if you stay in a Tharu community homestay in Barauli or Amaltari, where hosts often invite guests to share the food and dances. In Sauraha, ask your lodge or a Tharu guide about village events. Always ask before photographing people and rituals.
Is Maghi the same as Maghe Sankranti?
They fall on the same day. Maghe Sankranti is observed by Hindus across Nepal with river baths and warming foods. For the Tharu, the day is Maghi, their new year and most important festival, with its own customs, foods and dances.