Yomari Punhi: Celebrating the rice full moon with tradition & culture (photos)

KATHMANDU: Yomari Punhi, also known as Yomari Purnima, is a festival celebrated on the first full moon day of the Hemanta season, also known as the Rice Full Moon.

It is primarily observed by the Newar community.

On this day, the Newar people prepare and consume a special type of food called Yomari.

This tradition has led to the festival being referred to as Yomari Punhi (Yomari Purnima).

The Jyapu community within the Kathmandu Valley also celebrates this day as Jyapu Day.

A special type of food made from rice flour, filled with a mixture of sesame seeds, chaku (molasses), and khuwa (dried milk), is prepared for the occasion.

In the evening of Yomari Punhi, children and youth gather in their neighborhoods to play Deusi and Bhailo, similar to other festivals, and ask for Yomari.

This tradition of asking for Yomari is an important cultural aspect of the day.

According to the Nepal Sambat calendar, this festival, known as Thinthal Thw Punhi, is celebrated on the full moon day of the Magh month (in the Nepali lunar calendar).

In the Newar language, this day is referred to as Yomari Punhi.

On this day, it is customary to invite married daughters and offer them Yomari.

There is also a belief that, from the day of Yomari Punhi, the length of the day gradually increases according to the shape of the Yomari.