Pokhara is set to host a ‘Dashain Tourism and Cultural Festival’ with the aim of providing domestic and international visitors with a closer experience of Nepal’s cultural traditions and festive lifestyle. The festival, themed ‘Tika, Jamara and Kite Flying – Celebrating Dashain with Tourists in Pokhara,’ will be held on October 25, coinciding with Kojagrat Purnima, at the Barahi Ghat Ground in Lakeside, Pokhara. According to event coordinator Uma Bhandari, preparations are underway to make the festival an interactive cultural experience for tourists visiting the popular tourism destination.
Dashain Celebration Extended Beyond Family Traditions
The festival is being organized by the Women Tourism Entrepreneurs Forum (WOTEF) with the objective of taking the celebration of Dashain beyond the traditional family setting and creating an opportunity for tourists to experience Nepal’s customs, traditions, food, culture and way of life.
Dashain is one of Nepal’s major festivals and is traditionally celebrated by families gathering together, receiving tika and jamara from elders and participating in various cultural and social activities. Through the festival, organizers aim to introduce these traditions to visitors as part of Pokhara’s tourism experience. Tourists visiting Pokhara during the festival will be welcomed with tika and jamara, allowing them to participate in one of the most recognizable traditions associated with Dashain.
Kite Flying to Add Festive Attraction
Kite flying will be another major attraction of the festival. Visitors will have the opportunity to participate in a kite-flying competition, bringing one of the popular recreational activities associated with Dashain into the tourism-focused celebration. The organizers expect the activity to create an interactive environment where tourists and local residents can celebrate the festival together. The combination of traditional rituals and recreational activities is intended to provide visitors with a more engaging experience of Dashain in Pokhara.
Traditional Performances to Highlight Cultural Diversity
The festival will also feature traditional cultural performances representing different ethnic groups and communities. Through music, dance and other cultural presentations, the event will showcase Nepal’s diverse cultural heritage to visitors. Organizers believe that such performances can help tourists understand the cultural diversity of Nepal while also providing local communities and cultural groups with a platform to present their traditions. The event will therefore combine Dashain celebrations with Pokhara’s broader cultural identity, creating an opportunity to promote the destination not only for its natural attractions but also for its living heritage.
Nepali Cuisine and Local Products on Display
Food and local products will form another important component of the festival. Visitors will have an opportunity to taste a variety of traditional Nepali cuisines and become familiar with local culinary traditions. The festival will also provide space for the promotion and display of local products, handicrafts, cultural items and tourism-related businesses.
The organizers expect the initiative to provide local entrepreneurs with an opportunity to introduce their products and services to both domestic and international visitors. By connecting cultural activities with local businesses, the festival aims to create wider economic opportunities for tourism entrepreneurs and communities involved in hospitality, handicrafts, food and other tourism-related activities.
Tourism Leaders Highlight Cultural Promotion
Pokhara Tourism Council Chairperson Hari Bhujel said that linking Dashain with tourism would contribute to promoting both Pokhara’s cultural heritage and its tourism sector. According to Bhujel, presenting the festival as part of the tourism experience can help visitors discover another dimension of Pokhara beyond its natural attractions and established tourism products.
WOTEF Founding Chairperson Jamuna Parajuli described the festival as an opportunity to showcase Pokhara’s culture and identity as an integral part of its tourism experience. She emphasized the importance of using cultural traditions and festivals to create distinctive experiences for visitors. Similarly, WOTEF Chairperson Mamata Neupane said the festival would allow tourists to experience not only Pokhara’s natural beauty but also its art, culture and traditions.
Culture and Tourism to Come Together in Pokhara
The Dashain Tourism and Cultural Festival is expected to provide a platform for bringing tourists and local communities together through cultural celebration. By combining tika and jamara, kite flying, traditional performances, Nepali cuisine, handicrafts and local businesses, the event seeks to present Dashain as a tourism experience while maintaining its cultural significance.
The initiative also reflects a broader effort to diversify Pokhara’s tourism offerings by connecting visitors with local culture and traditions. Organizers expect the festival to add a cultural dimension to the city’s tourism calendar and encourage visitors to engage more closely with the local community during the Dashain season.
