Rice Planting
Festival – June
The Rice
Planting Festival holds immense significance for Nepalese farmers as they
commemorate the day new rice seedlings are planted. Join the locals in the
fields, where you can partake in lively activities in the mud and water,
experience the joy of planting rice, and savour the delicious combination of
rice and yoghurt. One of the most poignant festivals in Nepal, the celebrations
are accompanied by traditional songs, creating a joyful and festive atmosphere.
The month of Jestha/Asar,
which is the beginning of the monsoon season, holds great significance for the
Nepali farmers. It’s that time of the year when the hills and fields in Nepal,
are covered with green paddy saplings. The air feels a lot fresher, with chunks
of clouds making their way past the steep hills. It feels like nature is taking
in a breath of fresh air, reciprocating the same feeling to the ones watching
it as well. It’s that time of the year when farmers carry their plowing tools
and head to the fields for rice plantation. To indicate the beginning of the
rice plantation, they celebrate the Ropai Festival.
The locals consume rice as
a staple food on a daily basis. Annually, to commemorate the planting of rice
seedlings, the Ropai Festival is celebrated on Asar 15 (June–July). The period
occurs during the middle of the monsoon and is one of the busiest season for
farmers as they prepare their fields to plant rice. On this day, most farmers
finish planting rice in their fields. This day is also widely popular as ‘Dahi
Chiura Khaney Din.’
The Ropai Festival is also
called ‘Ropai Jatra,’ in some communities, it is known as ‘Sina Jya Jatra’
(Newari) or ‘Chopai Jatra’ (midwest and far western Nepal). Over the years,
this festival has been slowly gaining popularity among local and international
tourists. It’s a great opportunity for travelers to mingle with the local
community members and plant rice seedlings in the fields. In addition to that,
they can also celebrate the end of the plantation by singing and dancing in the
mud along with playing different games.
The History behind the Celebrations of Ropai
Festival in Nepal
According to Lunar Calendar (Patro), the Ropai Jatra was first
introduced in Nepal by Gajraj Singh Thapa –
the Colonel of the Nepal Army during the Rana regime and the governor of Ilam,
in 1972 BS (1915 AD). Since then, different communities in various parts of
Nepal celebrate this festival on different days, following their own customs
and traditions. Nowadays, there’s a popular belief that the owner of the paddy
field should throw themselves in the mud of their field, according to a
hilarious belief that makes the owner feel closer to their roots and soil.
Celebrating Ropai Festival
This
festival is celebrated across the country with the belief of bringing a good
harvest. Families and community members come together and head to the fields to
begin the plantation. Both men and women plow the field and plant the seedlings
simultaneously. Apart from the hard work, people assemble to sing and dance,
engage in mud battles, sing songs of pleasure and sadness, and slap muddy water
at one another while in the fields.
Following
the mud bouts, they indulge in a delectable yogurt and flattened rice dish
called Dahi Chiura. Today, various fruits and handmade beverages are served
with this traditional lunch. In the end, farmers also revere their land in the
hopes of reaping a bountiful crop later during the harvesting season.
People
still plant rice traditionally out of reverence for the past, even though
ancient agricultural systems have been replaced by contemporary ones.
Where is the Ropai Festival Happening?
The
celebration of rice plantations is common in most parts of rural Nepal since
agriculture is a common profession for most residents. One can even participate
in the festival by visiting the fields at Khokana, Kirtipur, Bhaktapur, and
Lalitpur if they’re in Kathmandu.
There are
many travel entities that are trying to promote the Ropai experience as a part
of the authentic Nepali experience. Community Homestay Network offers
its guests an authentic and immersive experience of paddy plantation through
their festive experience – Ropain Festival.
How can I Participate in the Ropai Festival?
Since
the Ropai Festival is a seasonal event, the locals usually celebrate the
festival during the monsoon season in Asar 15. However, other communities are
open to welcoming guests to participate in this cultural experience too.
Community Homestay Network allows their
guests to partake in the Ropai Festival experience during the month of Asar.
The event will occur near the capital city in Kirtipur and Nagarkot. Guests participating in the Ropai Festival will
also get the chance to learn more about the local cultures. Additionally, they
can stay at a local homestay and dine with their host family to end the day on
a sweet note.
Thank you Rubik Joshi and CHN team
