Ropai Jatra on Sunday and Monday

By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu, Aug. 9: A two-day Ropai Jatra festival is all set to be celebrated in the capital in a grand manner, with various competitions.

Under the leadership of the Buddha Tamang Welfare Guthi, the Gaijatra and Ropai Jatra Main Ceremony Committee has announced that the Ropai Jatra will be held on August 10 and 11, featuring events that convey historical, religious, and cultural messages.

The committee’s coordinator and chairman of the Buddha Tamang Welfare Guthi, Jaymangal Lama, said that Ropai Jatra is a famous festival in the area, but participation among the youth has declined in recent years. To encourage them, competitive events have been organised in recent editions of the festival. According to the committee’s spokesperson, Sampurn Kumar Lama, local school students, representatives of community organisations, and residents will voluntarily take part in the competitions.

He added that participants will compete in various categories, including Hal Goru, Yuwa Bause, Yuwa Ropar, Bal Ropar, Bal Bause, Yuwa Lakhe, and Jhanki—all reflecting traditional agricultural practices, mostly related to paddy planting. First, second, third, and consolation prizes will be awarded.

Bhuwan Lama, Ward Chairman of Kathmandu Metropolitan City–6, informed that the metropolitan city has allocated Rs. 1.5 million this year for the cultural festivals such as Gai Jatra and Ropai Jatra. It is said that the tradition of celebrating Ropai Jatra the day after Gai Jatra has been practiced since the Malla period. Once agricultural work is completed, the festival is observed in a joyful and satirical style, with participants playfully dressing in decorations and various costumes.