29 June, Kathmandu
Nepal has an unique way to celebrate monsoon . Nepal government has announced 15th of Ashad of each year as “Dhan Diwas” (National Paddy Day). It is also being celebrated as a festival of eating “Dahi Chiura”-curd or yogurt with beaten rice.
The celebration of National Paddy Day has been started since 2062 B.S. with the decision of government. Nepal, being an agricultural country, the occupation of most of the people of Nepal is agriculture. The Nepal Government has announced this day as a National Paddy Day, to encourage farmers and to celebrate the crop planting.
During this special day, the farmers plant rice in the field singing traditional folk songs (Ashare Vaka), splashing mud to each other. Throwing mud at each other singing “Ashare Vaka” and dancing to the tunes has become a norm. During this time of mid-summer, they entertain themselves by covering the mud of the fields. After being tired, they eat dahi chiura for strength.
This festival is full of fun, also, known as festival of mud.