"Children run along a field being prepared for paddy sapling..."

#12515460

29 June 2025

Children run along a field being prepared for paddy sapling transplantation on the outskirts of Lalitpur, Nepal, on June 29, 2025, as the nation marks ''National Paddy Day,'' celebrating rice and rituals. Soaking in mud and water, farmers continuously work on 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 common 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.

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#12515465

29 June 2025

Children run along a field being prepared for paddy sapling transplantation on the outskirts of Lalitpur, Nepal, on June 29, 2025, as the nation marks ''National Paddy Day,'' celebrating rice and rituals. Soaking in mud and water, farmers continuously work on 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 common 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.

Restricted to Editorial Use Only.
Commercial use is not permitted without prior authorization.
Please contact us for more information.