The Majhi community in Ramechhap is celebrating its main festival, Ladi Puja (Koshi Puja), on Tuesday in a traditional manner.

The Majhi community traditionally performs this puja every year in the month of Falgun, remembering the river, water goddess and ancestors. During Ladi Puja, animals such as goats, chickens and other animals are sacrificed in the name of Chhinali (Masan), Mangala Devi and water goddess on the banks of the river, says Shree Bahadur Majhi, acting president of the Nepal Indigenous Nationalities Federation, Ramechhap. 

According to him, the Majhi community believes that if Ladi Puja is performed, there will be no risk while boating, fishing and swimming in the river. They say that the river is being worshipped with the wish that the river does not cause any human, physical and economic damage during the rainy season. In the Majhi language, ‘Chhinali’ means Masan and ‘Ladi’ means Koshi.

Out of the eight municipalities in Ramechhap district, the Majhi community has a significant presence in Ward No. 1 Manthali, Ward No. 2 Karambot of Manthali Municipality, Ward No. 6 Nabughat, Masantar, Hattitar, Kunauri and Seleghat, Ward No. 7 Bhatauli, Mugitar and Wadare, and Ward No. 8 Jakhanitar and Gaikhura areas. Similarly, there are Majhi in Lubhughat and Kothbe of Ward No. 1 of Khandadevi Rural Municipality, Sitkha and Dafkha of Ward No. 3, and Puchighat and Raj villages of Ward No. 4.

The Majhi community also resides in Ratatar, Dhaneghat and Hardeni under Ward No. 9 of Ramechhap Municipality. In addition, the Majhi community is also spread in Likhutamakoshi and Sunapati Rural Municipality of the district. Historically, the Majhi community has been residing in the settlements around the Sunkoshi River and Tamakoshi River.