Nepal marks National Paddy Day, Kathmandu - 29 Jun 2024
Nepalese farmers play in muddy water in a paddy field on National Paddy Day in Thapathali village, on the outskirts of Kathmandu, Nepal, 29 June 2024. Nepal celebrates National Paddy Day with various events on 29 June. On this day, known locally as Asar Pandra, farmers begin the annual rice planting season and perform various festivities such as preparing rice meals with muddy water, mud being a symbol for a prosperous season. According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, Paddy rice is cultivated on a total of 1.5 million hectares of land in Nepal and the agricultural industry plays a significant role in Nepal's Gross Domestic Product.