Yomari is a traditional Newari food. It is a steamed dumpling made from flour of rice, shaped like a cone and filled with chaku (Blend of Jaggery, ghee, nuts and coconut optional). It holds a significant place in Newari culture and it is eaten in full moon day of November/December which is also called Yomari Punhe. Yomari is derived from two words “Yo” means Love and “Mari” means Bread and because this food is loved by many people its name became Yomari. 

Significance of Yomari in Newari Culture

The origin of yomari is rooted in both legend and history. It is said that once upon a time, a certain couple residing in Panchal, which is modern-day Panauti, made a very fancy kind of sweetmeat and offered to the people around. The people loved it, and from then on, their neighbors started calling it ‘yomari,’. It is said that the couple had served this to the disguised god Kubera, the god of wealth. Pleased, he blessed them and said that whoever would prepare yomari in the divine shapes on the day of the full moon would be blessed in the same way as he had then blessed the childless couple. That tradition is still observed in Nepal to this day.

Historically, the book Social History of Nepal points out that yomari dates back to the reign of Amshuverma in the 6th century A.D. Some scholars have been saying that Newars might have borrowed yomari from Tibetan or Korean culinary traditions, where something similar to this kind of dumpling is in vogue. Others link it to the Indian modaka, a jaggery-filled rice dumpling associated with Lord Ganesha, very much a part of Indian festivals since 200 B.C.

The Festival of Nepal: Yomari Punhe

Newars represent the valley’s first group of inhabitants, and they follow some very interesting traditions and festivals. Among these is Yomari Punhe, or Yomari Purnima in the Nepalese language, observed on the full moon day of Mangsir (November/December). This festival corresponds to the beginning of the rice-harvesting season. An interesting rationale for worshiping the Goddess of Grain, Annapurna, is praying for a good crop of rice by giving her yomari. Therefore, on this day, all family members are together sitting under one roof and spending the whole day making yomari, while children go door to door in the neighborhood singing songs to get their share of yomari, which is called ‘yomari phonegu’.

Yomari for Warmth and Nourishment

While more of a taste sensation, Yomari has managed to provide warmth, and its dietary value adds to a person’s health during the winter. Thus, the ingredients of chaku, sesame, and khuwa act powerfully together to keep a person’s body warm and energetic. The constituents of chaku, sesame seeds, and khuwa give necessary nutrients to the body and also keep it warm in cold weather. Eating Yomari in the winter is considered good for boosting energy and ensuring that a person remains well.

Why Should You Try Yomari

If you are one for food expeditions, then try Yomari! It has a soft and chewy texture with a rich, sweet filling that makes it perfectly delightful. This is not a type of food but rather a mirror reflecting heritage, history, and unity of the Newar community in Nepal.

Conclusion

We don’t know if the source yomari is pretty important to the news about Newar culture. It’s not just festive food, but it embraces history, religion, and tradition—a prove for the authentic cuisine of Nepal. Yomari still has bonding generations with tests of tradition and celebration as a symbol of fertility and prosperity in seasonal cycles. It’s a symbol of love, prosperity, and culture.