The month of Thinla in the Newari calendar is when the paddy seeds planted during Tachala sway like fields of gold. The delicacy of Yomari is part of the harvest moon festival, which is known as Yomari Punhi (Purnima). It coincides with the Gregorian month of December.
A Yomari has a special place in the heart of most Newars. The name is derived from a fruit that falls in the fig family natively found in the region. The shape of the fruit is a base for a traditional Yomari prepared with the first batch of grain and presented to Annapurna Devi. Linguistically, Yo means preferred or liked, and Mari means bread.
Traditionally it features a mixture of molasses and brown sesame seeds. The shell is prepared from powdered white rice and is shaped to resemble the Yomari fruit. Apart from the month of Thinla, the delicacy is put together during various family rituals, especially during the second birthday. Medium to small-sized Yomaris are strung together to make a garland offered to the child.
The account of an interesting Yomari is from the community of Pucho. This place today is generally called Pulchowk. This area is home to Maharjan farmers whose ancestry is from the Eastern mountains. As per chronicles, the King of Patan gave refuge to Kirats banished from their homeland. The King welcomed them with open arms. Acknowledging their preference of living in higher altitudes, they were given a place in Pucho.
The historicity of the region goes as back as the draining of the lake known as Nagard, which today is the Kathmandu Valley. The peak of the hillock of Pucho is known as Shilapur Banagiri. Banagiri in ancient Newari means a place where an arrow fell. As per chronicles, after Bodhisatva Manjushri decided to drain this lake to create a sanctum, he shot a powerful arrow for the purpose. It fell on this very hill. Post which, Bodhisatva Manjushri came up with a different plan which featured draining the water from Kotwaldwar (Devichaur). Kotwal is the name of the mountain, and dwar means a gate.
As the valley prospered, it became renowned in Asia as a prime Buddhist sanctuary. Locals suppose that the Great Samrat Ashoka visited this valley and established five earthen mounds. Four of which were dedicated to the yugas. The symbolism behind the fifth is still unknown. These mounds then later become the boundary of the city of Patan. The western stupa is on the foothill of Silapur Banagiri.
This mound plays a historic role as not just a boundary marker but also a landmark. The community of Pucho, which primarily featured Buddhists and the later Kirat refugees who assimilated into the Newars, hold it as a part of their identity.
During Yomari Punhi, the locals cook the delicacy in a unique shape similar to the earthen mound. It is known as Chibamari, Chiba meaning an earthen mound/stupa and Mari meaning bread. The shell is distinctly triangular and bears an uncanny resemblance to the 13 step finial of the Pucho mound. The filling is more chunky in this area, meaning the molasses is not melted.
The incorporation of two distinct cultures shows the importance of religious values and monuments of this region. The Chibamari is distinct. Over the years, it has become the identity of the people.
