Farmers of Barala village collecting rice saplings. Salyan district. Photo by Nikki Thapa

"Ropain Jatra" in Nepal, holds special significance in the context of rice planting. It is a traditional agricultural festival celebrated on Asadh 15 i.e. the 15th day of the Nepali month of Asadh (usually falling in late June or early July).

It marks the beginning of the rice planting season and is an occasion for farmers to gather and collectively engage in transplanting paddy seedlings. However, many would have already planted rice for this season taking advantage of early rainfall.

For the Ropai Jatra, farmers, accompanied by their families, friends, and neighbors, gather in the fields to begin the process of transplanting young rice seedlings into the prepared paddy fields. This practice is deeply rooted in Nepalese culture and serves not just as a community event where people support and assist each other in this labor-intensive task but as a tourism event too.

In recent times, several tourism sectors in Nepal have started organizing the Ropain Jatra day to attract tourists and encourage their participation in rice plantation activities. The Ropain Jatra, traditionally a community event, has now become an opportunity for tourists to engage in the cultural and agricultural practices of the country.

Ropai Jatra reflects the solid agricultural heritage of Nepal and the deep connection between the people and the land hence farmers express their gratitude for a successful harvest and pray for favorable weather and abundant yields on this day. It serves as a reminder of the importance of rice planting in the country's food security and rural livelihoods.

Overall the festival is marked by cheerful gatherings, folk songs, dances, and a sense of camaraderie among the participants.

Enjoy the Ropain photo story that Photographer Nikki Thapa made in Barala Village of Salyan District, Taudaha ni Kathmandu and Kawasoti in Nawalpur.