The government Tuesday announced a holiday for Tharus coinciding with Makkar Shangkranti or the first day of Magh Wednesday, the Home Ministry said Tuesday.
This is the first time the government has announced a public holiday for the former slaves freed by the government of Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba two years ago.
The former slaves or kamaiyas live in five far western districts of Nepal although Tharus are found also to live elsewhere in the the terai districts.
Makkar Shangkranti is a big festival day of the Tharu community.