18th annual food festival set to enchant Sauraha

BHARATPUR, CHITWAN: The upcoming February 11th marks the commencement of the 18th annual food festival in Sauraha, Chitwan.

Scheduled to coincide with Valentine’s Day, the festival will unfold its culinary delights until February 15.

This vibrant event is orchestrated by the Restaurant and Bar Association of Nepal (REBAN), Sauraha Chapter.

Dhruv Giri, President of REBAN Sauraha, expressed that the festival aims to amalgamate food, music, and culture, creating an enchanting atmosphere to captivate both domestic and international tourists.

The anticipated daily attendance of 5000 visitors is expected to generate a turnover of approximately Rs 30 million.

Surya Bahadur Rimal, the program coordinator, emphasized that the festival’s primary goal is to showcase traditional, local, and indigenous culinary treasures, along with promoting local art, culture, and attire.

This endeavor seeks to elevate Sauraha’s recognition as a tourist destination on the national and international stage.

Over the course of the five-day festival, attendees can revel in a tableau display of diverse cultures, musical performances by both national and local artists, featuring the Axis Band.

The event will also include food exhibitions, competitions among local tribes, and contests for waiters and waitresses.

Additionally, there will be special programs for Valentine’s Day, a tug-of-war competition, the REBAN Cup municipal-level volleyball competition, an inter-school dance competition, and more.

According to REBAN Sauraha, Chitwan National Park received around three hundred thousand visitors in the previous financial year 2079-080.

In the current financial year, up until the midpoint, approximately 150,000 tourists have already explored the park.