Two major festivals of the district, which have been held alternately every year in the past, will be held together this year. After the festival could not be held last year due to COVID, Chitwan Festival and Ratnanagar Festival are going to be held together.
The Chitwan Festival was postponed for a year. Chamber of Commerce and Industries of Chitwan and Ratnanagar have been organizing the festival alternately every year with the objective of promoting industry, trade and business in the district. Since 2002, Chitwan Festival and Ratnanagar Festival have been held alternately every year.
According to the same decision, Chitwan Festival was held for the last time in 2018 and Ratnanagar Festival was held in 2019. This year, the Chitwan Festival will be held from January 9 to January 18 and the Ratnanagar Festival from January 11 to January 22. The Chitwan Festival is being held on the banks of the Narayani River and the Ratnanagar Festival is being held at Tikauli Chaur.
Raju Shrestha, president of the Chamber of Commerce and Industries Chitwan, said that the festival was being held after discussions between the two organizations. Stating that the Chitwan Festival could not be held last year due to COVID, he said that it had to be held this year. He said that the work has been started by another organization to provide necessary assistance.
Chairman of Chamber of Commerce and Industries Ratnanagar Anil Krishna Shrestha said that the festival was being organized by the two organizations as there was no possibility of holding the festival in different years. There will be 404 booths at Chitwan Festival. Senior Vice President Chunnarayan Shrestha said that the number has been reduced due to COVID even though up to 590 rooms were kept in the festival in the previous years. Looking at the past statistics, the average trade during the Chitwan Festival was Rs. 5 billion. Five lakh people are expected to visit. The Ratnanagar Festival, which had 550 rooms, will have only 350 rooms this year.
This is the 13th edition of the Chitwan Festival and the 11th edition of the Ratnanagar Festival. The Padampur Tourist, Cultural and Trade Festival is starting in Kalika Municipality of the district from today. The Tharu community here celebrates Khichara in Khairhani of Parsa. Some of their small festivals are held at a municipal level.
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