Kanchenjunga Diamond Jubilee Festival in April

By Chandra Pandak,Taplejung, Dec.30: Taplejung is set to host the Kanchenjunga Diamond Jubilee Festival in April 2025 to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the first ascent of Kanchenjunga, the world’s third-highest and Nepal’s second-highest mountain located in the Himalayas.

The festival, organised by the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area Management Council, will run from April 18 to 20 and feature various activities promoting tourism in the region. 

The main event of the festival will take place in Phaktanglung Rural Municipality-6, Lelep where the council’s headquarters are located.

According to Member Secretary of the council, Man Kumar Rai, the festival aims to promote tourism by showcasing the scenic and cultural attractions of the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area. 

It will include trekking invitations to explore the conservation area, photo exhibitions highlighting local tourist destinations, cultural programmes reflecting the traditions of local communities, promotion of local products, food exhibitions, and open men's volleyball competitions.

To expand the festival's reach, a national-level promotional programme will also be held in Kathmandu. 

Likewise, plans are underway to host a related event in the United Kingdom in coordination with the British Embassy and the Prosperous Mountain Project, according to Program Coordinator Chitra Kumari Changsu (Menyangbo).

Pramod Kumar Yadav, Warden of the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area Office, noted that the region has witnessed an increase in domestic and international tourists post-COVID-19 period, and the festival is expected to further boost tourist arrival. 

He said that the event will play a significant role in promoting and enhancing the Kanchenjunga area as a major tourist destination.

The 8,586-metre tall peak of Kanchenjunga was first climbed on May 25, 1955, by British mountaineer George Band. 

A similar festival was held in Taplejung in 2016 (2073 BS) to mark the 60th anniversary of the historic ascent.