The Nepal Yoga Festival 2024, organized by Nepal Yoga Festival and co-organized by Hotel Association Nepal (HAN) and its Pokhara chapter, successfully concluded in the tourist hub of Pokhara on October 16. The festival, held at Purna Yoga Retreat in Bhakunde, Pokhara, aimed to attract both domestic and international tourists, with coordination by Lata Tulachan and Purnima Shrestha.
Initially scheduled to run until October 17, the event was shortened due to unforeseen technical issues. Several international yoga practitioners informed the organizers that they would be unable to attend due to floods and landslides in Nepal. Despite these challenges, the festival continued, attracting foreign visitors, domestic tourists, and local tourism entrepreneurs, as confirmed by Laxman Subedi, President of Hotel Association Pokhara.
The festival had expected around 170 participants, including 50 foreign visitors. However, participants from nine countries had to withdraw due to circumstances such as floods and landslides, leading the event to be completed in just one day.
Throughout the festival, numerous yoga sessions and workshops took place, as highlighted by Sajan Shakya, General Secretary of the Hotel Association Nepal and chairperson of the event. These sessions were facilitated by world-class instructors, with yoga led by teacher Manohar Shrestha. The lineup also featured Grammy-nominated artist Manoj Singhe, Peter Sterios, Charya Nritya master Prajwal Ratna Vajracharya, and a classical dance performance from the acclaimed dancer Leena Malakar’s group.
Despite the setbacks, the Nepal Yoga Festival 2024 successfully promoted wellness tourism in Pokhara, highlighting the city’s potential as a center for holistic and spiritual retreats.
