Jan 03, Kathmandu - A grand market tour has begun in Ghorahi ahead of the inauguration of the Magh Cultural Festival, organized with the aim of preserving and promoting the original art, culture, costumes and traditions of the Tharu community.

Women and men of the Tharu community, dressed in their traditional attire and carrying items that reflect their identity, including dhakiya, delva, clay jugs, bhaukabhauki, plows and clubs, participated in the market parikrama accompanied by musical instruments. The parikrama has attempted to bring to life the original lifestyle, art and culture of the Tharu community.

Ashok Chaudhary, coordinator of the main organizing committee and president of the Tharu Welfare Sabha, informed that before the inauguration of the festival, which is being organized with the main slogan "Economic awareness and cultural transformation are our campaigns, our contribution to prosperity along with social justice", a market tour was held in the main market area of ​​Ghorahi to display and promote Tharu costumes, art and culture.

After the market tour, the program will be formally inaugurated after the participants reach the festival venue. The festival, which is being organized at the premises of the District Coordination Committee in Ghorahi, will be inaugurated by Lumbini Province Chief Minister Chet Narayan Chaudhary, the organizers have stated.

The festival will feature more than seven dozen Maghouta dances, Chokra, Hurdungya, Dhumru songs, and other diverse cultural performances. In addition, arrangements have been made for the sale and distribution of Tharu dishes such as snails, fish, gangata, dhikri, undi bread, undi rice, undi jhol, potato pickle, and sidhra fish.

Similarly, the organizer has stated that arrangements have been made for the exhibition and sale of books related to Tharu history, language, literature, and culture.