A two-day ‘Siddhartha Street Food Festival and Musical Night–2083’ is set to be held in Bhairahawa, Rupandehi, targeting the upcoming Dashain festival and aiming to promote local food, tourism, and businesses.
The festival will be jointly organized by the Chamber of Commerce, Rupandehi and the Industry and Trade Association, Rupandehi on the eve of Ghatasthapana. It will take place on Ashwin 24 and 25 along the stretch from Bhairahawa Bus Park to Devkota Chowk.
Around 100 Stalls to Showcase Local Cuisine
According to the organizers, around 100 stalls will be set up during the festival, with more than 50,000 visitors and consumers expected to attend over the two days. The event will feature a wide range of food and culinary products, from dishes served by star-rated hotels to traditional and indigenous cuisines representing different ethnic communities.
The organizers said the festival is intended to provide visitors with an opportunity to experience diverse Nepali food while creating a platform for local food businesses to promote their products directly to consumers.
Promoting Siddharthanagar as Tourism Gateway
One of the major objectives of the festival is to further establish Siddharthanagar as an important tourism gateway to Nepal. The city benefits from its proximity to the Belahiya border point with India, the birthplace of Gautam Buddha at Lumbini, and Gautam Buddha International Airport.
The organizers aim to use the festival to attract visitors, increase local economic activity, and support the revival of hotel and tourism businesses in the area. The event is also expected to help promote Bhairahawa and the surrounding region as a destination for food, culture and tourism.
National and Local Artists to Perform
Cultural and musical performances will be among the major attractions of the festival. Popular singer Durgesh Thapa, Bhojpuri artist Preeti Paswan, Indu Danuwar, and Basan & The Crews, along with other national and local artists, are scheduled to perform during the event.
The musical program is expected to add entertainment to the food festival and attract visitors from Bhairahawa, Rupandehi and neighboring areas.
Supporting Farmers and Local Entrepreneurs
The organizers said the festival will also focus on connecting local farmers, food entrepreneurs, women entrepreneurs and young businesspeople directly with the market. By providing stalls and promotional opportunities, the event aims to help local producers and entrepreneurs expand their customer base and generate business during the festive season.
The festival is also expected to support businesses involved in food, hospitality, entertainment, and tourism by increasing visitor spending in the local economy.
Targeting Visitors from India and Beyond
With Belahiya serving as an important entry point for visitors arriving from India, the organizers aim to use the event to encourage tourists to extend their stay and increase spending in Siddharthanagar and surrounding destinations. The festival is expected to contribute to increasing visitor footfall during the Dashain season while creating greater visibility for local cuisine, hospitality and tourism products.
Through the combination of food, culture and live entertainment, the Siddhartha Street Food Festival and Musical Night–2083 is being positioned as a major festive-season event in Bhairahawa, with organizers expecting it to provide a boost to local businesses and tourism activity.
