Preparations have begun for the 157th edition of the historic Ramleela Festival in Nepalgunj, Banke, with a commitment to preserving this cultural tradition. The festival, held annually during the Dashain festival at the Ramleela Ground, has been a significant event for the community for over a century.
Santosh Kumar Kanodia, president of the Ramleela Organizing Committee, confirmed that preparations are underway for this year’s festival, with plans to bring artists from Vrindavan, India. “Every year, we spend millions to bring artists from India to stage the Ramleela. Though we have tried to train local artists in Nepal, we haven’t been successful, so we continue to rely on Indian performers,” Kanodia said.
Kanodia also announced plans to train local artists next year to ensure future performances are sustained by local talent. He stated that each edition of the festival costs at least NPR 1.5 million, all of which is funded through community support.
“This incredible tradition, which has been maintained for over 150 years by the local community, is both a challenge and a privilege to continue,” Kanodia remarked. He emphasized the importance of preserving the historic Ramleela and highlighted the need for support from the local government to produce local artists and keep the tradition alive.
The Ramleela festival has faced challenges, including a two-year hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic, which halted the 153rd and 154th editions. Typically, the festival begins on the first day of Dashain, Ghatasthapana, and runs until Vijayadashami, with performances held from 8 PM to midnight. The festival features key episodes from the Ramayana, including the Dhanush Yagya, the killing of Ravana, Bharat Milap, and Ram’s coronation.
Hundreds of spectators, both local and from India, gather enthusiastically each night to witness the performances. The festival has become a cultural landmark in Nepalgunj, drawing thousands of devotees from Uttar Pradesh, India, to witness the Ramleela each year.
The tradition of staging the Ramleela in Nepalgunj dates back to 1925 and was initiated by local leaders including Vishwanath Tandon, Badrinath Tandon, Patandin Gupta, Jagdish Prasad Vaishya, and others. Dwarika Prasad Vaishya, a local leader, expressed pride in the community’s continued support of the event, noting that it remains popular among both Nepali and Indian audiences. The performances, initially held at the Tandon Rice Mill and Ramleela Ground, have since gained widespread recognition in both Nepal and India.
