Ihi (Bel Bibaha): A unique Newar culture

Over 50 young girls from the Newar community participated in a mass ‘Bel Bibaha’ ceremony held in Itumbahal, Kathmandu. This unique tradition, also known as ‘Ihi’, is a symbolic marriage to a wood apple (bel fruit), representing Lord Vishnu.

The ‘Bel Bibaha’ is a significant rite of passage for Newar girls, typically performed before they reach puberty, between the ages of 5 and 11. It is the first of three ‘marriages’ a Newar girl undergoes. Following the ‘Bel Bibaha’, the girls will later participate in ‘Bara: Taye Gu’ or ‘Surya Darshan’ (marriage to the sun) before finally marrying a human groom in a traditional wedding ceremony.

The ‘Ihi’ ceremony involves the girls fasting for the day and performing rituals with the bel fruit, kalash, bajra, and chakra. The ceremony concludes with the girl’s father symbolically giving her away in marriage to the bel fruit.

The Newar community believes that the qualities of the bel fruit will be reflected in the girl’s future husband. This tradition is a vital part of preserving the unique cultural heritage of the Newar people.

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