Nepal is one of the most diverse countries in the world. Also agriculture is considered one of the important occupations in Nepal. The arrival of monsoon season in the month of Asar (Nepalese Calendar) which is usually falls around June-July. The rice plantation generally begins from the first week of Asar. It is cultivated as rice plantation needs lots of water. It is the time when farmers plant new seedlings of rice crops in their paddies with the hope of growing quintals of rice by planting kilos. The plantation is done by the female, the male will plow and level the field to ease plantation. During rice plantation, People Singing Ashare jhyaure geet (a traditional monsoon song) splashing each other with muddy water and relishing dahichiura (curd and beaten rice) farmers plant rice with joy and merriment.
Rice is a major staple food of Nepali people, thus planting of the important food is celebrated with lots of enthusiasm and fun. Nepal Government has decided to celebrate the 15th day of Asar as a Ropain festival – rice planting festival. The tourists who come to Nepal for the visit in this rainy season took part and enjoyed planting rice. This is the completely new experience for the local as well as tourists who participate in this festival besides hiking, trek, and sightseeing.
Likewise the every year, the “Ropai Mahotsab” was organized by Tourism board in pokhara. In between plantation, you can enjoy a friendly mud wrestling, tug of war, splashing the muddy water on each other, and plow racing competition.
