Every year, farmers and their families across Nepal come together to celebrate National Paddy Day, also known as “Dhan Diwas”, an annual festival that marks the beginning of the rice planting season with some fun muddy activities.
KATHMANDU, NEPAL – 2022/06/29: People play in mud water in a paddy field during the National paddy day celebration. Nepalese farmers celebrate National Paddy Day with various events that mark the start of the annual rice planting season. (Photo by Bivas Shrestha/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
The festival is celebrated every year on the 15th of Ashadh, Nepal’s Lunar calendar.
KATHMANDU, NEPAL – 2022/06/29: A man’s face covered with mud smiles in a rice paddy field during the National Paddy Day. Nepalese farmers celebrate National Paddy Day with various events that mark the start of the annual rice planting season. (Photo by Bivas Shrestha/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Last year, the festival was held on June 29th.
Mud-covered farmers play in a rice paddy field during “National Paddy Day”, which marks the start of the annual rice planting season, in Tokha village on the outskirts of Kathmandu on June 29, 2022. (Photo by PRAKASH MATHEMA / AFP) (Photo by PRAKASH MATHEMA/AFP via Getty Images)
The festival is an important day to celebrate Nepali agricultural traditions, especially for people living in rural areas.
People play in the mud at the paddy field during the National Paddy Day which marks the start of rice planting season in Tokha village on the outskirts of Kathmandu, Nepal, June 29, 2022. (Photo by Sunil Pradhan/NurPhoto)
Rice is a staple food in Nepal, and farmers seek blessing before planting rice at the festival.
KATHMANDU, NEPAL – 2022/06/29: A woman covered in mud smiles in a rice paddy field during National Paddy Day celebration. Nepalese farmers celebrate National Paddy Day with various events that mark the start of the annual rice planting season. (Photo by Bivas Shrestha/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
The day is also meant to encourage the next generations to take up farming as a profession.
Although it’s not a public holiday, many people take the day off to celebrate with their families and communities.
KATHMANDU, NEPAL – 2022/06/29: Farmers play a tug-of-war game in a paddy field during the National paddy day celebration. Nepalese farmers celebrate National Paddy Day with various events that mark the start of the annual rice planting season. (Photo by Bivas Shrestha/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Women usually take the lead in planting the seedlings, while men assist in preparing the fields and guarding against birds and other animals that might eat the rice.
KATHMANDU, NEPAL – 2022/06/29: Nepalese women seen planting rice seedlings during the National paddy day. Nepalese farmers celebrate National Paddy Day with various events that mark the start of the annual rice planting season. (Photo by Bivas Shrestha/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
During the day, there are various cultural programs including traditional dances and music, which people enjoy in traditional attire.
A mud-covered farmers dance in a rice paddy field during “National Paddy Day”, which marks the start of the annual rice planting season, in Tokha village on the outskirts of Kathmandu on June 29, 2022. (Photo by PRAKASH MATHEMA / AFP) (Photo by PRAKASH MATHEMA/AFP via Getty Images)
One of the most interesting activities includes people playing in the mud, which stems from a long-held belief that one should touch mud at least once during the day.
They drink rice wine, sing and dance in the mud where they plant the seedlings.
KATHMANDU, NEPAL – 2022/06/29: A woman pours a traditional drink in the paddy field during the celebration. Nepalese farmers celebrate National Paddy Day with various events that mark the start of the annual rice planting season. (Photo by Bivas Shrestha/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
National Paddy Day also helps to raise awareness of the impact that climate change has on agriculture in Nepal.
