Inaruwa, Apr. 14: On Baisakh 1 (Apr. 13), which marks the beginning of the Nepali New Year, Siruwa and Judsheetal festivals are celebrated in various places across Sunsari and other parts of Madhes.

The Madhesi and Tharu communities observe the Siruwa festival for the first three days of the New Year. The first day is dedicated to the Judsheetal festival of the Tharu community. 

Particularly in the districts of the Terai region, it is a common tradition among the Madhesi and Tharu indigenous communities to celebrate the Siruwa festival during the Nepali New Year.

The Siruwa (Dham Paawan) festival, traditionally celebrated by the Tharu community, has seen participation from other communities in recent times. However, despite the festival’s increasing popularity and dignity, certain villages and cultural aspects associated with Siruwa remain distinct.

On the first day of the New Year, elder members pour water (Shir) on the younger members of the household as a blessing in the rural areas of Sunsari, including Inaruwa.

The eldest member of the household pours sacred water on the household deity, village deity, sacred place of worship, temple, and other deities, and also sprinkles water on the family members, including oneself, as a blessing. The younger members of the family touch the feet of the elders and receive blessings as water is poured on their heads.

In the area, the celebration of the New Year is associated with nature and health, and the Tharu community celebrates it as the Siruwa festival. Essentially, both festivals aim to provide coolness and comfort to humans from the heat of the sun.

The two terms, ‘Jud’ and ‘Sheetal,’ are related to coolness and well-being. “Jud” signifies the desire for blessings and ‘Sheetal’ denotes coolness. When offering water to deities, people pray for a year filled with comfort and happiness. 

Since Siruwa is closely linked with nature, it also involves practices such as watering trees, cleaning water sources around homes, and maintaining the cleanliness of roads and ponds.

Pouring water on the heads of the younger members of the household, including sons, daughters, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews, by the elder members of the family symbolises the wish for joy, coolness, and success throughout the year, 

along with a sense of familial bond and trust. This ritual is part of the Siruwa festival celebration.

As per local Guru Basudev Yadav, senior members pour water on the heads of the younger members during the Siruwa festival, offering blessings for good health, long life, well-being, and prosperity. In return, the younger members touch the feet of the elder members as a sign of respect and gratitude, seeking their blessings for the year ahead.

Siruwa festival is on a declining trend

However, due to the growing religious and cultural influence, including the Gramthan of the Tharu community such as Salahesh, Dihabar, and Rajaji, as well as the religious and cultural intrusion of the Musahar community’s Dinabhadrithan and the Khatwe community’s Sesharaj Maharajthan, the charm of Siruwa has been gradually diminishing.