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Nepal JyotishTraditional Science
Festivals

Dhanya Purnima (Yomari Punhi)

The story of Yomari Punhi, how grain and wealth increased after the wife of the rich Suchandra fed Kubera.

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Dhanya Purnima (Yomari Punhi)

To test the generosity of the virtuous wife of Suchandra, a wealthy merchant of the Panchala country, Kubera, the god of wealth, came disguised as a poor beggar. Suchandra's wife reverently gave the beggar warm clothes and a bellyful of delicious food.

Pleased, Kubera revealed his true form and granted a boon: "Make a bread of special shape by filling the flour of new paddy rice with a paste of chaku and sesame; it shall be called 'Yomari' (the favorite bread). If, on the day of Dhanya Purnima, you offer Yomari and worship the granary, your house shall never lack grain and wealth."

When Suchandra's family did as told, their house was filled with grain and wealth. From that day on, the tradition took root in the Newar community of celebrating 'Yomari Punhi' (Dhanya Purnima) on the day of Mangsir Shukla Purnima, after the new paddy has been brought in.

Note: These are traditional Nepali folk tales (kimbadanti), passed down orally through generations. They may or may not reflect actual historical events, but they are told and believed as part of Nepal's cultural heritage.

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