National Paddy Day ( ne, राष्ट्रीय धानरोपाई दिवस, translit=Rastriya Dhanropai Diwas) is an annual festival in
Nepal which marks the beginning of the rice planting season. It is celebrated on the 15th of
Ashadh
Asharh ( bn, আষাঢ় ''āshāḍh'', or, ଆଷାଢ଼ ''āsāḍha'') is the third month of the Bengali and Odia calendars and the Nepali system of the Hindu calendar. It is the first of the two months that comprise the wet season, l ...
(29 June) every year. The festival is also named Ropain Diwas, Dhan Diwas, and Ashadh Pandra.
The festival usually starts with people making a parade in their village before entering the rice fields.
People wear Nepali traditional clothes.
According to ''
OnlineKhabar'', "Particular responsibilities are shared among men and women. Men plough the field, arrange drain water, level the fields and make fine mud slurry for the plantation".
The people splash each other and play in the mud, plant rice seedlings, eat the traditional dish of
curd and
beaten rice
Flattened rice is a type of rice dish made from raw, toasted, or parboiled rice grains pounded into flat flakes. They are eaten as is, toasted, fried, or used as ingredients or toppings for other dishes. Depending on their use, they can be crispy, ...
, and sing folk songs.
Some communities schedule related cultural programs.
The festival is also popular among tourists who visit Nepal, and hence this festival also forms a part of agrotourism.
History and significance
According to the cultural norm, 15 Ashadh is "considered as the auspicious day to start rice planting for the year".
The date falls during the
monsoon season, an optimal time for rice planting. On 14 December 2004, the Nepal Government officially declared Ashadh 15 as National Paddy Day.
The celebration takes place under the theme of "Increase rice production for self-sufficiency and prosperity".
The
Provincial Assembly of Karnali Province
The Provincial Assembly of Karnali Province also known as the Karnali Pradesh Sabha, (Nepali: कर्णाली प्रदेश सभा) is a unicameral governing and law making body of Karnali Province, one of the seven provinces in Nep ...
has declared Ashadh 15 to be a public holiday in
Karnali Province except for the
Jumla District; paddy planting starts on 25 March in Jumla.
Rice contributes to about 7 percent of
Nepal's GDP. In 2018, it was estimated that Nepal imports about Rs 25 billion worth of rice.
Foods
Curd and
beaten rice
Flattened rice is a type of rice dish made from raw, toasted, or parboiled rice grains pounded into flat flakes. They are eaten as is, toasted, fried, or used as ingredients or toppings for other dishes. Depending on their use, they can be crispy, ...
are traditionally consumed on National Paddy Day. Yoghurt is also served.
Major developments
A survey by ''
The Himalayan Times'' in 2020 reported that in many remote areas of Nepal, children were not aware of the festival.
In 2020, it was reported that the festival celebration was stale because of the fear of the
COVID-19 pandemic and
locust infestation.
See also
*
Agriculture in Nepal
*
List of festivals in Nepal
References
{{reflist
Festivals in Nepal
Agriculture in Nepal