Kathmandu: Shrawan 15 is being celebrated across Nepal today with the traditional preparation and sharing of kheer, a rice pudding dish deeply rooted in Nepali culture. Much like the custom of eating dahi chyura (curd and beaten rice) on Asar 15, kheer is enjoyed on this day during the monsoon season, with both customs believed to have health benefits and seasonal relevance.

Kheer—known as payas in Sanskrit—is considered one of the most sacred and sattvic foods. Religious scholar and former chairman of the Nepal Panchang Nirikh Samiti, Prof. Dr. Ramchandra Gautam, noted that kheer holds a special place in Vedic scriptures and is traditionally used in divine rituals and ancestral rites.

Dr. Gautam explained that the tradition is likely rooted in rural agrarian life. “In the month of Shrawan, farming tasks are largely completed, grass grows abundantly, and milk production increases. This surplus of milk may have led to the tradition of preparing kheer and inviting friends and loved ones to share in the feast,” he said.

Shrawan is also the holy month of Lord Shiva, who is believed to favor milk and milk-based sweets. Although there is no direct scriptural reference to the custom of eating kheer on Shrawan 15, the association with Shiva and the use of payas in ancient rituals lend symbolic meaning to the tradition.

Nepali households prepare various forms of kheer today, including those made from rice, sago (sabudana), sev, corn, and even carrots. Corn-based kheer is particularly popular in Shrawan due to the seasonal availability of green corn, while sago kheer is significant because sago is classified as a fruit.

The Nepali Brihat Shabdakosh (Comprehensive Dictionary) defines kheer as “rice cooked in milk, a delicious food prepared by adding rice, sugar, spices, etc., to milk.” The dish remains an integral part of Nepal’s cultural calendar, with similar customs observed on other dates such as Asar 15 (dahi chyura), Poush 15 (kheer again), and Magh 15 (malpua).

To promote and preserve the tradition, the National Dairy Development Board has designated Shrawan 15 as “Kheer Day,” encouraging its continued celebration in both urban and rural communities.