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Nepal Marks “Paddy Day” Celebrating Rice And Rituals

A Nepali farmer smears mud on her face as she works in the field to transplant paddy saplings on the outskirts of Lalitpur District, Nepal, on June 29, 2025, as the nation marks ''National Paddy Day,'' celebrating rice and rituals. Soaking in mud and water, farmers continuously work in the field, leveling the mud to ensure an even level and continuous flow of water, creating a favorable topography for the paddy saplings to grow. The plantation of paddy saplings in the field, known as ''Ropain,'' holds high significance for farmers in Nepal, primarily during the monsoon season, which starts in June and lasts for four months. While planting the saplings, farmers run behind each other, smearing mud on faces and splashing muddy water as a means of fun. These activities are prominent in the Himalayan nation on the 15th of Ashar, marked as National Paddy Day since 2005, which was earlier marked as the day to indicate the start of the cultivation season with the onset of the monsoon. As farmers gather, a feast is thrown, which includes beaten rice, curd, pickle, and homemade brew. Because of this long-standing tradition of having victuals, Ashar-15 is also known as ''Dahi (Curd)-Chiura (Beaten-rice)'' eating day. (Photo by Subaas Shrestha/NurPhoto)

Photo Details

Photo ID	#12515453
Date Taken	29 June 2025
Location	N/A
Photographer	Subaas Shrestha/NurPhoto
Category	Human Interest
Copyright	© 2026 NurPhoto - Subaas Shrestha/NurPhoto

Related Keywords

Nepali farmer mud field transplant paddy saplings Lalitpur District Nepal National Paddy Day rice rituals soaking water leveling typography grow Ropain significance monsoon season June four months planting smearing splashing fun Himalayan Nation Ashar 15 cultivation season feast beaten-rice curd pickle home-made brew tradition victuals Dahi-Chiura eating day Subaas Shrestha NurPhoto.

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