Ya:mari Punhi: A festival of sweetness, culture, and prosperity for the Newar community

Kathmandu, December 18. Ya:mari Punhi is one of the important festivals of the Newar community living in the Kathmandu Valley. It is a unique cultural, religious and culinary tradition. This festival, which is celebrated every year on the day of Marga Purnima, is basically considered a symbol of gratitude, prosperity and family unity after the rice harvest. Ya:mari, made from these two words ‘Y:’ meaning “favorite” and ‘mari’ meaning bread, is not only a sweet dish but also a cultural heritage associated with the identity of the community. “Y:mari” is made from fine rice flour.

Y:mari Punhi is considered a festival directly linked to the economic and agricultural lifestyle of the Newars. Earlier, most Newar families in the valley were dependent on agriculture. After harvesting and storing rice, the tradition of celebrating Ya:mari Punhi has been followed by the tradition of offering pure and sweet dishes to the family and the ancestral deities, expressing gratitude to nature. On this day, after the full moon rises at night, Ya:maris are cooked in every house and offered to the gods and goddesses along with special prasad.

The skill, time management and teamwork of the Newars can be seen in the process of preparing Ya:mari. The dough made by heating rice flour is rolled into a long shape and a mixture of chaku-sesame seeds and khuwa is added inside. The Ya:mari prepared in this way is steamed, which makes the dish healthier. In some places, the practice of serving it as a side dish with lentils, meat or various modern dishes is also increasing, but the traditional chaku-khuwa Ya:mari is considered the most popular.

From a religious point of view, this festival is considered dedicated to Kuber and Alaka Mahadev. Since special prasad is offered to Kuber, the god of wealth, this day is also called the festival of wealth and prosperity. The Newar community believes that offering Ya:mari to the family increases wealth, brings happiness and peace to the family, and cures diseases. Therefore, Ya:mari is also mandatory for small children, which is considered a wish for health and longevity.

In a cultural sense, Ya:mari Punhi is a time of family unity. The atmosphere of all family members gathering in one place, making Ya:mari and eating together increases social closeness. It is also a fun and creative festival, especially for children. It is also a tradition for children to go from house to house in the evening and ask for “Y:mari chvammu, uke dune hyammu”.

With time, Ya:mari Punhi has also started becoming popular outside the valley. Previously limited to Newar settlements, this festival is now celebrated and eaten in cities across the country. Cafes and restaurants have also started serving Ya:mari with a modern twist, making the dish even more popular among the new generation.

Ultimately, Ya:mari has spread beyond Newar to other communities. It acts as an important bridge connecting society, like a dish that combines agriculture, religion, family, and tradition on a single plate. Such an eternal tradition is making Nepal culturally richer.