A historic foot march along the Nisan Padmarga is scheduled to take place from Poush 23 to 26, 2082, aiming to promote and publicize the Nisan Padmarga, a route historically linked to Nepal’s eastern border victories. The decision was finalized at a joint meeting held on Monday in Suryodaya Municipality, attended by representatives from three local municipalities and the Ranashardul Battalion of the Nepali Army in Ilam.
According to Rambahadur Rai, Mayor of Suryodaya Municipality, the march has been jointly organized by Suryodaya Municipality, Ilam Municipality, Maijogmai Rural Municipality, and the Ranashardul Battalion. He stated that the event is a continuation of a foot march started last year, designed to trace the historical route where Nepalese forces had previously erected Nisan monuments after securing the eastern frontier. “We began the foot march along the Nisan Padmarga last year to explore and highlight the region’s 200-year-old war history. Encouraging responses from concerned authorities have motivated us to continue this initiative,” Rai added.
Preserving History and Promoting Local Tourism
Kedar Thapa, Mayor of Ilam Municipality, highlighted the dual objective of the foot march: it will not only help in preserving the Nisan Padmarga but also contribute to the protection, recognition, and promotion of Ilam’s historical, religious, and cultural heritage. “The foot march will aid in safeguarding the Nisan Padmarga while boosting tourism throughout Ilam,” Thapa said.
Financial collaboration for the event will come from the three participating municipalities. The Koshi Province Government’s Tourism Year 2082 will provide additional momentum for the initiative, with coordination support from the Mechi Tourism Office.
Route and Historical Significance
The 41-kilometer Nisan Padmarga foot route will extend from the Mechi River at the Nepal–India border to the Nisan established at Maithan Temple in Ilam’s headquarters, according to Prahlad Ghale, Chief of Ranashardul Battalion. The route traces the path where the then-Srinath Battalion planted Nisan markers after conquering eastern territories, which were later returned following the Sugauli Treaty.
The four-day foot march will officially commence from Mechi Bazar on the Nepal–India border and continue until Poush 26, with a team of around 200 participants, including members of the Nepali Army, local representatives, tourism stakeholders, and community members.
Along the route, residents from Suryodaya Municipality, Maijogmai Rural Municipality, and Ilam Municipality have planned welcoming ceremonies featuring local cultural processions and performances. Additionally, participants will engage in registration drives, speech competitions, cultural programs, and discussions on heritage preservation at designated checkpoints along the route.
Origins and Historical Context
The initiative to identify and preserve the Nisan Padmarga was first undertaken in 2081 BS under the guidance of the Ranashardul Battalion, with support from the three municipalities. The route follows the historic path used by the Nepali Army to transfer Nisan markers from Nagrigadhi in Mirik (India) to Ilam’s headquarters, as part of post-Sugauli Treaty arrangements in 1872 BS. Historical records indicate that Subba Jayanta Khatri supervised the relocation of Nisan markers, ensuring that strategic points along the eastern frontier remained under Nepalese control.
The Maithan Temple, established around 1880 BS, now houses one of these Nisan monuments, preserved as a symbol of Nepal’s historical sovereignty. The march is designed to connect these significant points, creating a tangible link between Nepal’s military history and cultural heritage.
Tourism and Cultural Promotion
Organizers anticipate that the foot march will not only revitalize historical awareness but also enhance tourism in Ilam, offering visitors an immersive experience of the region’s religious, cultural, and natural heritage. By integrating local festivities, traditional performances, and educational discussions into the event, the municipalities aim to engage both local communities and tourists while fostering a sense of pride and ownership over the region’s heritage.
The Nisan Padmarga foot march is being hailed as a model initiative, combining heritage preservation, community engagement, and tourism promotion, and is expected to attract national attention, further establishing Ilam as a historic and cultural tourism destination in Nepal.
