Pokhara, Nepal - A traditional Dain Mahotsav (paddy threshing festival) was organized on Saturday at Churunga Phant, Pokhara Metropolitan City-19, Puranchaur, under the coordination of the Pokhara Tourism Council. Set against the majestic backdrop of Machhapuchhre (Fishtail) Mountain, the event showcased Nepal’s age-old agrarian practices and rural lifestyle.
The festival featured the traditional method of threshing paddy using cattle, a practice that once formed the backbone of rural agricultural systems in the mid-hills of Nepal. Farmers, locals, and visitors gathered to witness how harvested paddy is threshed by guiding oxen and cows over straw laid across open fields-an eco-friendly method that requires no fuel or machinery.
Local elders and cultural practitioners said the festival aimed to preserve intangible agricultural heritage that is rapidly disappearing due to mechanization and changing lifestyles. “Younger generations are no longer familiar with these traditions. This festival is an effort to reconnect people with our farming roots,” organizers said.
Participants were seen wearing traditional attire, while cultural rituals and local interactions added to the authenticity of the event. The sight of livestock, harvested straw, and community participation highlighted the deep relationship between agriculture, culture, and nature.
Organizers also emphasized the tourism potential of such heritage-based events. By combining traditional farming practices with the scenic beauty of Pokhara’s landscape, the Dain Festival was promoted as a model for sustainable rural tourism-one that respects the environment while strengthening local identity and livelihoods.
With the snow-clad Machhapuchhre towering in the background and golden fields below, the festival offered a powerful reminder of Nepal’s agrarian past and the need to protect cultural practices that live in harmony with nature.
