The scenic tourist town of Bandipur is set to host the Sixth Bandipur Festival from Mangsir 10 to 21 as part of wider promotional activities for Visit Bandipur Year 2025. The festival aims to spotlight it’s cultural heritage, tourism potential, and local products while boosting economic activity in the region.
Organized by the Tanahun Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Bandipur Market Unit Committee, the festival will be held at Tundikhel, the town’s central open ground. Festival Coordinator and Unit Chairperson Ghanshyam Upadhyaya informed during a press conference on Wednesday that preparations have reached the final stage. He emphasized that the festival will play a crucial role in enhancing it’s visibility as one of Nepal’s premier tourist destinations.
Promoting Heritage, Tourism, and Local Economy
According to the organizers, the festival is being held under the theme: “Promotion of Industry, Trade, Tourism, and Agriculture: Preservation of Local Art and Culture.”
Upadhyaya stated that it’s rich historical heritage, Newari architecture, and natural beauty hold tremendous potential for tourism development. The festival is expected to highlight these attractions, promote local culture, and support the economic upliftment of the tourism area. He added that the event aims to attract more than 200,000 visitors and generate an estimated Rs 50 million in economic transactions.
Showcasing Historical and Religious Attractions
During the festival period, visitors will be offered guided tours to some of Bandipur’s most significant religious and historical sites, including:
- Khadgadevi Temple
- Pahadpani Mahadev
- Bindhyabasini Temple
- Thanimai Temple
- Mahalaxmi Temple
- Chamundamai Bhutyaha Baraha
- Santaneswar Mahadev
- Manimukunda Sen Palace and Trail
- Tundikhel Viewpoint
- Rani Ban (Queen’s Forest)
These sites represent the cultural essence of Bandipur and are expected to provide a deeper experience for tourists participating in the festival.
Adventure Tourism Opportunities
In addition to cultural showcases, the festival will feature various adventure tourism activities aimed at thrill-seekers and young travelers. The lineup includes:
- Rock Climbing
- Paragliding
- Seti River Rafting
- Mountain Cycling
Organizers say these activities will give visitors a full taste of it’s landscape and adventure potential.
Large Variety of Stalls and Exhibitions
The Bandipur Festival will host a diverse range of stalls representing various sectors:
- 79 general commercial stalls
- 3 handicraft and homemade product stalls
- 10 agricultural product stalls
- 1 service sector stall
- 8 hotel and restaurant stalls
- 1 information center
- 2 automobile company stalls
The festival will bring together local businesses, artisans, farmers, and service providers, offering a platform for networking, trade, and tourism promotion.
Strong Institutional Support for Promotion
The event is being promoted by several key organizations, including:
- Tanahun Chamber of Commerce and Industry
- Nepal Tourism Board
- Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI)
- Visit Bandipur Year 2025 Secretariat
The Bandipur Rural Municipality is serving as the festival’s guardian institution, providing administrative support and coordination.
Aligned With Visit Bandipur Year 2025 Campaign
Chairperson of Bandipur Rural Municipality, Surendra Thapa, stated that the festival is an integral part of the Visit Bandipur Year 2025 initiative. According to him, the rural municipality has planned two tourism-related events every month, both inside and outside the municipality, as part of an ongoing promotional strategy.
He mentioned that a major promotional event was recently held in Kathmandu on Bhadra 16 under the leadership of the Hotel Association Bandipur, which significantly contributed to raising national-level awareness about it’s tourism potential.
