To support farmers and highlight the festival of crop planting, the Nepali government declared Asar 15 as National Paddy Day. Farmers celebrate ‘Rashtriya Ropai Dibas’ on Asar 15 to mark the end of the paddy plantation.
Asar 15 is celebrated by participating and enjoying many rice planting rituals including mud runs, plough races, and rice planting races. Ropai Jatra is celebrated with dance, asare geet (traditional Nepali song) and delightful cuisine with the belief that this celebration will bring a good harvest. They also feast on beaten rice and curd (Dahi Chiura), which gives them the energy they need to plant paddy in the blazing sun or pouring rain.
In various communities, Ropai Jatra has long been observed under various names. The Newa community celebrates Ropai Jatra as Sina Jya Jatra while farmers of midwest and far west, especially around Jumla celebrate as Chopai Jatra.
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