Romantic Pokhara celebrates festival targeting water, land and sky

Pokhara, December 29: Pokhara has become a buzzing place with the arrival of the English New Year. The festival, which focuses on water, land and sky, has not only attracted domestic and foreign tourists, but has also boosted tourism activities here.

Currently, the 26th edition of the Street Festival, BYD International Balloon Festival and the 2nd International Dragon Boat Race are underway here. The festival has increased the activities in the tourist capital Pokhara, where Christmas is over and the New Year has begun. It is believed that the festival will play an additional role in introducing Pokhara to the world as a tourist destination.

The Pokhara Street Festival, started by the Restaurant and Bar Association (REBAN) Pokhara in 1998, has now become a brand of Pokhara. Bringing to life the slogan “Eat on the streets, dance on the streets, have fun on the streets,” the festival has attracted thousands of tourists. The three-kilometer area of ​​the lakeside is filled with musical programs, original tableaux, costume exhibitions, and international food exhibitions.

The festival has introduced domestic and foreign tourists to Pokhara’s cultural and natural beauty and has also helped in promoting local products, said Rewan Pokhara Chairman Bishwaraj Poudel. According to him, this festival is an important means of establishing Nepali tourism on the international map. Exhibitions of agricultural products, handicrafts, and plants have become a special attraction at the festival.

Local farmers, businessmen, and artists have gained access to new markets by showcasing their products. The festival, which has been highlighting cultural diversity by presenting traditions of different ethnic groups, musical tableaux, and art exhibitions, has played an important role in boosting the local economy, says coordinator Bikash Bhattarai.

The BYD International Balloon Festival, organized for the first time, has further elevated the tourist importance of Pokhara. Pilots from 15 countries, including Nepal, have participated in this festival, which is starting at the head of Fewa Lake. As 17 magnificent balloons of various colors and shapes and designs fly in the sky, the sky is decorated, and the beautiful view of the lake is indescribable.

Tourists have been able to see Pokhara from a new perspective, experiencing the beauty of the Himalayan range, greenery and Fewa Lake from the sky, says Tourism Council Chairman Taranath Pahari. “This festival has not only extended the stay of tourists but has also attracted the attention of international media,” said Pahari. “This festival has established Pokhara as an attractive destination for adventure and recreational activities.” He said that the balloon festival, dragon boat race and street festival have taken Pokhara’s tourist importance to new heights and added a new dimension to tourism.

According to Bikram Bade, Chairman of Balloon Nepal Pvt. Ltd., the balloon festival is not only about entertainment, but also opening new doors for adventure tourism, making Pokhara a hub of international tourism. The second International Dragon Boat Race, which began today at Fewa Lake, has added excitement to tourism in Pokhara. This competition between 20 teams from Nepal, China, and Singapore is connecting sports and tourism.

Bibi Dhakal of Balloon Nepal Pvt. Ltd. mentioned that Nepal’s hot air balloons have gained international attention. “International newspapers have published photos of the festival on the front page, and we believe that this has greatly helped in promoting tourism in Nepal.” The festival, organized in collaboration with Pokhara Metropolitan City, Gandaki Province Government, Nepal Tourism Board, and the Chinese Embassy in Nepal, is believed to promote Fewa Lake as an international sports destination.

Pokhara Metropolitan City Mayor Dhanraj Acharya expressed confidence that the festival would help expand Pokhara’s role in adventure activities. “The excitement of the dragon boat race, the adventure of the balloon festival, and the cultural reflection of the street festival have made Pokhara an excellent example of a triangular festival.”

He believes that the triangular festival will be successful in highlighting Pokhara’s cultural heritage, natural beauty, and local products, thereby contributing to the economy and tourism in the long term. He believes that the festival currently being held in the tourist capital Pokhara has given a positive signal towards the potential of adventure tourism and the bright future of Nepali tourism, and will also have an impact on tourism in the long term.

Tourism entrepreneur Devka Pahari, who is also a member of the Provincial Assembly, said that the triangular festival, street festival, balloon festival and dragon boat race have become important means of providing new energy and identity to Pokhara’s tourism.

“These activities have not only highlighted Pokhara’s cultural and natural heritage but have also been successful in making it known internationally, while revitalizing the local economy.” He said that this experience, filled with Pokhara’s Phewa Lake, the Himalayas, and cultural diversity, has taken Pokhara to new heights with adventure sports, music festivals, and displays of original products.

He said that with the belief that these festivals will add another dimension to Nepali tourism, Pokhara is now on the path to becoming one of the world’s top destinations for cultural, adventure, and recreational tourism.