The Tharu community of Bardaghat Susta Purva has taken significant steps to preserve the traditional Bhodi game, which is at risk of fading into obscurity. A competition was recently organized among Tharu youth groups during the Anant Parva festival to safeguard this cultural practice.
According to Ram Prasad Mahato, President of the Tharu Welfare Society Nawalpur, the Tharu community in the Nawalparasi and Terai regions celebrates Anant Parva by worshipping the god of prosperity, Indra, with the belief that pleasing him ensures adequate rainfall and a bountiful harvest. “The tradition of playing Bhodi during Anant Parva to honor Lord Indra began in the district in 2052 B.S. (1995 A.D.),” Mahato said. “By reviving this game, we are also highlighting the Tharu people’s rich art, culture, and traditions.”
The game of Bhodi, along with swinging on traditional swings, is performed to bring joy to Lord Indra. While the Bhodi game was once a common practice in villages with a dense Tharu population, it has been slowly disappearing in recent years. Among the Tharu festivals, Anant Chaturdashi holds special significance, with variations in how it is celebrated depending on the location, according to Mahato.
Explaining the game, he shared, “In Bhodi, a team consists of 10 players. Nine sticks are placed upright on the ground, and the players take turns trying to knock them down. The team that knocks down all the sticks first is declared the winner.”
Omkumari Mahato, a prominent Tharu community leader, emphasized the religious and historical importance of the Bhodi game. She noted that to preserve the tradition, local leaders organize a Bhodi competition every year. “This effort has made it easier to teach the younger generation about the significance of this game,” she added.
Tharu people fast and offer prayers during Anant Parva, and the unique Bhodi game, played with sticks, is a key part of the celebration. This festival, first celebrated in 1825 B.S., involves fasting and playing Bhodi to please Indra, the deity of prosperity. In villages with a strong Tharu presence, annual Bhodi competitions are organized to pass down the cultural importance of the game to future generations.
