July 28, 2025

Yomari Punhi is a beloved Newar festival celebrated mainly in the Kathmandu Valley, marking the end of the rice harvest season. Held on the full moon day of December (Kartik Purnima), this festival centers around the preparation and sharing of Yomari, a traditional sweet dumpling made of rice flour filled with molasses and sesame seeds. It is both a thanksgiving for a bountiful harvest and a joyous time of community gathering.

The festival’s origins are steeped in legend. It is said that a farmer, guided by a divine dream, discovered the secret to making Yomari—bringing prosperity and good fortune to his village. Today, the dumplings symbolize the sweet rewards of hard work and nature’s generosity.

During Yomari Punhi, families come together to make and share this special delicacy, often accompanied by prayers for health, happiness, and protection from harm. The day is filled with music, dance, and storytelling, especially in Newar communities such as Bhaktapur and Patan, where the festival retains its strongest cultural roots.

In some parts of the valley, ritual dances and sacred music are performed in temples and courtyards, blending spiritual gratitude with festive joy. The Yomari Punhi festival is a reminder of the valley’s deep agricultural heritage and the enduring importance of food in cultural identity.

For travelers, Yomari Punhi offers a unique glimpse into Newar traditions, a chance to taste authentic sweets, and experience a festival that is as much about family and gratitude as it is about celebration.

Time of Year: December (full moon of Kartik)

Location: Kathmandu Valley, especially Bhaktapur and Patan

Duration: 1 day

What to Expect: Making and sharing Yomari dumplings, temple rituals, traditional music and dance, harvest thanksgiving

Interesting Facts:

  • Yomari means “to put into mouth” in Newari
  • The festival highlights Newar culinary art and agricultural cycles
  • Yomari dumplings are often shaped like fish or leaves, symbols of prosperity