Kanyam hosting Suryodaya Food and Cultural Festival

By Our Correspondent,Pashupatinagar (Ilam), Dec. 30: The popular eastern tourist destination Kanyam is set to host the Suryodaya Food and Cultural Festival on the occasion of the English New Year 2026.

The four-day festival will be held from December 30 to January 3, featuring local cuisine and cultural programmes.

According to Suryodaya Municipality architect engineer Srijan Gadal, the festival is being organised with the aim of promoting tourism and will include 25 local indigenous food items, stalls reflecting local culture, and Korean culture stalls.

Cheese-based dishes will be one of the main attractions of the festival.

Locally produced dairy items, yam-based dishes, millet and buckwheat foods, wachipa, phool nasari, and other traditional foods will also be featured as highlights in the festival. 

The festival is being organised primarily by the Kanyam Tourism Entrepreneurs Association, with cooperation from Suryodaya Municipality, the Himalayan Cheese Producers Association, and the Indigenous Nationalities Coordination Council, Suryodaya Municipal Committee.

Kanyam Tourism Entrepreneurs Association President DB Tamang Gyawak informed that preparations are underway, including the construction of stalls, a stage, and a welcome gate, with an estimated cost of over Rs. 400,000. 

The festival is expected to attract domestic tourists as well as visitors from neighbouring India and Korea. Every year during the English New Year, Kanyam sees a large influx of Nepali and Indian tourists.

Suryodaya Municipality Mayor, Ran Bahadur Rai, said that the festival will help promote local tourism.

 “Many Indian tourists visit Kanyam during the English New Year celebrations in neighbouring India, which is why the festival is being organised,” said Mayor Rai.