Madhyapur Festival ends

BY A STAFF REPORTER,Kathmandu, Dec. 30: The three-day Madhyapur Festival organised by Madhyapur Thimi Municipality to promote tourism concluded on Sunday.

Nhuchhe Ratna Manandhar, a member of the Main Organising Committee, stated that the fair was held to showcase and promote Newa culture, jatra, lifestyle, cuisine and traditions. The fair spanned over 5.5 kilometres of an area from Sankhadar Chowk to Bode in Madhyapur Thimi.

According to Manandhar, the municipality allocated Rs. 6 million for the event. However, the total operation cost is expected to be around Rs. 25 million. He said, “The fair was organised in partnership with the locals, who participated voluntarily and set up the stalls. The municipality only assisted those who were financially unable to set up their stalls.”

He said that there were approximately 150 stalls featuring organic products. Additionally, 45 live performances of Dafa Bhajans and over 30 Devi dances were held throughout the fair. Stating that people showed great interest in learning about Newa culture and lifestyle, he said that the municipality could give a way out for income generation for communities through such fairs. 

Karuna Bajracharya, a local representative from Palistha Pucha, had voluntarily placed a stall displaying special cuisines used by Newa people in various festivals. Expressing her happiness to be at the fair, she said that Newar people prepare specific dishes for particular occasions such as Yomari in Yomari Punhi, Samaybaji in Indra Jatra and Bara in Sithi Nakha. She emphasised that these displays help people gain a deeper understanding of Newa culture.

In the Newar community, feasts hold significant importance and various types of dishes must be served during rituals, from birth to chariot riding to death. The organisation ‘Osla Nepal’ displayed 25 varieties of Newar feasts to highlight the religious and cultural significance of Newars. Additionally, dances like Mahakali dance, Indra Apsara, Mayur, Ashtamatrika, Jogi Dance and Lakhel were also the part of the exhibition.

The municipality had expected a flow of 500,000 visitors to the fair. However, more than 350,000 individuals visited the event on Saturday alone. 

During the fair, the courtyards, streets and squares of Madhyapur Thimi were filled with displays of traditional weaving techniques, Newari attire and ornaments, handicrafts, pottery, Devi dances, traditional games, photo exhibitions and much more.