Ropain Festival – The Rice Planting Festival of Nepal

Although monsoon season brings an array of challenges for the people of Nepal, it is an essential time of year for agriculture.

The beginning of the monsoon season sees the celebration of the upcoming rainfall by farmers and their local communities in the festival of Ashad 15, celebrated on the 15th day of the Nepali month Ashad (roughly June/July), and also known as Ropain festival.

Ropain marks the official start of rice planting, a vital crop for the country. Farmers, dressed in traditional attire, gather in their paddy fields where people of all ages wade into the mud, planting rice seedlings with their hands and taking part in playful mud fights. There is joyous dancing as traditional Ashare Jhyaure songs (monsoon songs) are sung. Seedlings are nurtured and prayers are offered.

After a day of hard work, everyone gathers for a delicious feast featuring Dahi-Chiura (beaten rice with yogurt) and other local delicacies, often accompanied by a refreshing cup of Chyang, a homemade rice wine.

Pictured: residents from our Residential Home in Dharan enjoyed joining in the festivities!