Minister for Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, Badri Prasad Pandey, emphasized the need to integrate local art, culture, heritage, and traditional skills with tourism and industry to foster development. Speaking at the concluding ceremony of the three-day Madhyapur Mahotsav 2081, held in Bode and organized by Madhyapur Thimi Municipality, Minister Pandey highlighted the festival’s success in preserving the region’s identity and heritage.
Minister Pandey remarked, “The enthusiasm shown by children, youth, and elderly participants in Madhyapur Thimi underscores how three generations are actively involved in preserving and passing down traditional art, culture, and values.” He lauded the festival as a vital platform to ensure the survival and growth of Nepal’s cultural legacy.
Addressing the festival’s significance, he stated, “Through this Mahotsav, Madhyapur residents have demonstrated their commitment to conserving and developing traditional attire, cuisines, art forms, and cultural practices. It is crucial to never let our culture fade, and events like these are instrumental in its promotion and development.”
Minister Pandey further highlighted Nepal’s cultural richness, emphasizing its traditional attire, religious harmony, and diverse heritage. He stressed that such festivals could showcase the country’s vast artistic and cultural wealth to both the nation and the world, contributing to economic development through tourism. He suggested extending the festival’s duration to a week and inviting representatives from across the country to inspire similar initiatives nationwide.
Other dignitaries, including MP Durlabh Thapa, Kageshwari Manohara Municipality Mayor Upendra KC, Kirtipur Municipality Mayor Krishna Man Maharjan, and Madhyapur Thimi Deputy Mayor Bijay Krishna Shrestha, praised the festival for elevating the global recognition of Madhyapur Thimi’s cultural identity.
Madhyapur Thimi Municipality Mayor Surendra Shrestha expressed commitment to transforming the area into a prominent tourist destination. Despite being centrally located in the Kathmandu Valley, the municipality had not achieved significant tourism development. “This festival has marked a turning point, not just for cultural preservation but also for economic growth. We are now determined to promote Madhyapur as a tourist hub,” he said.
Mayor Shrestha also announced plans to host monthly tourism-related activities to sustain the momentum. He shared that although the festival was initially expected to attract around 500,000 visitors, it exceeded expectations, drawing over 800,000 attendees in just three days.
The success of Madhyapur Mahotsav 2081 underscores its potential to inspire similar cultural initiatives across Nepal, furthering both cultural preservation and tourism development.
