Swayambhu Festival begins today

KATHMANDU: The first-ever Swayambhu Festival, organized by the Kathmandu Municipal Corporation, Ward No. 15, begins today and will run until March 1.

The festival aims to promote the local identity, culture, and potential of the area.

According to Ward Chair Ishwarman Dangol, the event is designed to highlight the ward’s natural beauty, religious landmarks, cultural practices, and historical monuments, including monasteries, temples, chaityas, sattal, and vihars.

At the festival, visitors will have the opportunity to explore goods produced by local entrepreneurs, as well as a variety of local produce such as vegetables, fruits, and handicrafts.

These items are part of an effort to showcase the skills and livelihoods fostered through local training programs.

The festival, taking place at Bhuinkhel Chaur in Swayambhu, will feature an array of exhibits including traditional musical instruments, photographs capturing the ward residents’ rituals from birth to death, images of cultural practices, Buddha’s life, as well as postage stamps and currencies.

Additional attractions include food stalls, health check-ups, blood donation drives, Ranjana script writing, face painting, and a variety of cultural, entertainment, and sports programs, making the event a diverse celebration of local heritage and community engagement.