Ropai – Paddy Planting Festival

Ropai Mahotsav: Pokhara’s Vibrant Rice Planting Festival

Ropai Mahotsav, also known as Ropai Jatra or National Paddy Day, is an annual celebration held on Asar 15 (mid-to-late June) in Pokhara, Nepal, marking the start of the rice planting season. This culturally rich festival brings together locals, farmers, and tourists in muddy fields to plant rice seedlings, sing traditional “Asare Geet,” and enjoy lively mud games and folk performances.

Celebrated with feasting—especially the iconic Dahi-Chiura (yogurt and beaten rice)—the event is both an agricultural ritual and a fun-filled community gathering.

Whether you’re a traveler seeking an authentic experience or a local embracing tradition, Ropai Mahotsav offers a unique blend of culture, nature, and joyous celebration in the heart of Pokhara. This program is organized by the Pokhara Tourism Council every year.