According to tradition, it is customary for relatives to visit their sisters and daughters. This practice is prevalent in Darchula and Baitadi. Recently, this tradition has spread to Bajhang, Dadeldhura, Kailali and Kanchanpur.
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In the mountains of the Far West, there is a tradition of 'visiting' one's daughters in the month of Chaitra. According to tradition, it is customary for relatives to visit their sisters and daughters. This tradition is prevalent in Darchula and Baitadi.
Recently, this tradition has spread to Bajhang, Dadeldhura, Kailali and Kanchanpur. Those who have migrated from here have continued it even in their current places. The tradition of remembering and meeting daughters who have been separated after marriage has been maintained here for generations.
Throughout the month of Chaitra, brothers and relatives from the maternal side visit the homes of married daughters and daughters. They do not go empty-handed. It is customary to bring bread, kheer, haluwa, jaggery, mishri, fruits and clothes. This tradition is not just a meeting but also an opportunity to strengthen love, memories and family ties.
According to Laxmi Saud of Amargadhi Municipality-5, the custom of visiting sisters in Chaitum, no matter how far away they are, is still in place. According to her, there is a social norm that brothers must meet in any case. Brothers who live far away also try to reach their sisters' homes in Chaitum as much as possible. For this reason, the tradition of sisters waiting for the arrival of Chaitum in the hope of 'when will their brothers return' is still seen. The custom of giving clothes along with sweets during the meeting further strengthens family affection.
The month of Chaitum also holds special meaning for men who are away from home due to employment, study or other opportunities. They are seen trying to maintain their relationship with the house where they were born during this time, moving out of the far west and living from Dhangadhi, Mahendranagar to Kathmandu. This period is considered an opportunity for family reunions amidst the busy lives of the year. Therefore, the tradition of reaching the house of the married sister at the agreed time is still in place. When going in this way, they carry small and large baskets, which act as a means of expressing intimacy.
This practice is taken as an example of not losing the culture despite the change of location. Meanwhile, the sisters also hope for the arrival of relatives during this time, which makes the family relationship emotionally closer. Despite the impact of modern lifestyle and migration, such a cultural practice seems to be strengthening the rope of the relationship.
Laxmi Devi Bhat of Bhageshwor Rural Municipality-4 in Dadeldhura said that she also used to visit her daughter's house as per the old custom. She said that she visited her daughter's house only last week this year. According to her, the custom of going to visit her daughter with jaggery, fruits and selroti is still considered equally important. The importance of vetaulo is also attached to religious beliefs. This tradition has not weakened due to the popular belief that giving gifts to daughters and sons in the month of Chaitra will bring good results. Cultural experts say that in the past, the lack of communication, busyness in farming, and the lack of information about the well-being of the family throughout the year have also contributed to the tradition of meeting in Chaitra.
According to cultural expert Ramchandra Bhatta, the tradition of brothers meeting their daughters has developed because the memory of their parents is greater in the spring season. According to him, the tradition of giving sweets, dishes, fruits, and clothes and blessing each other during the meeting strengthens family ties. Kamala Awasthi of Baitadi said that the tradition of meeting daughters and sons with dust, rice, and jaggery is still prevalent in Chaitra. Similarly, according to 73-year-old Bhawani Bista of Melauli, this tradition was started with the aim of remembering the daughters who went to someone else's house after marriage and maintaining the relationship of love.
It is believed that the memory of the mother is deeper in the minds of the girls as nature and human emotions are sensitive in the spring season. Cultural expert Muralidhar Awasthi says that this emotional time, accompanied by the sounds of the nyauli and koili, has made the Vetaulo culturally more meaningful. According to him, the custom of sisters visiting their mother on Bhai Tika and brothers visiting their daughters' houses on Vetaulo helps to maintain a balanced relationship on both sides.
A similar type of 'Maghi Tyar' has been practiced in districts including Dadeldhura, Doti, Achham and Bajura during the month of Magh. According to this tradition, brothers and relatives from the mother's side visit the houses of married sisters and daughters and meet them. During the visit, it is customary to bring home-prepared food, grains and general gifts.
