Yomari

Yomari, also called Yamari, is a delicacy of the Newar community in Nepal which is usually eaten in the winter. It is a steamed dumpling that consists of an external covering of rice flour with sweet high caloric fillings such as chaku and khuwa which are traditionally believed to ward off the cold. Yomari plays a very important role in Newar society and is a key part of its namesake festival,Yomari Punhi, celebrated in the winter. It is also believed that the triangular shape of the Yamari is a symbolic representation of one half of the Shadkona, the symbol of Saraswati and wisdom.
The structure of Yamari is similar to “Bagiya”, a dish traditional to the Maithil and Tharu community of southern Nepal.

Etymology

The current name of the dish in modern Newar seems to be derived from the Classic Newar term. In historical documents from the Malla dynasty, particularly a stone inscription in Pashupati from 1440 the dish was referred as irhamadhe ; the name of the dish, towards the end of the 17th century, had evolved to elamādhe. The name further evolved to its present form, yomari.

Festival

The festival of Yomari Punhi begins on the second day of the full moon when prayers are offered during which the yomaris are stored and not eaten. On the fourth and the final day the people belonging to the Newa community eat the sweet bread, seen as a gift from the gods, at the conclusion of the festival.