Kathmandu : The sexual and gender minority (SGM) community of Nepal celebrated their first-ever National Paddy Day and Rainbow Ropai Jatra.

The celebration was organised at Bouddhanath Stupa in Kathmandu by Mayako Pahichan Nepal (MKPN), a non-governmental organisation advocating for the SGM rights, with the support of Dakini Hospitality.

MKPN already announced that the Jatra will be organised by SGMs on June 29 coinciding with the National Paddy Day according to the lunar calendar.

The National Paddy Day, which falls in the Nepali month of Asar 15 and marks the beginning of the monsoon season and paddy plantation, embodies the resilience, hope and cultural diversity of the Nepali people, highlighting their deep connection with agriculture. Agriculture, especially rice farming, largely contributes to Nepal’s economy and culture.

The festival is also a celebration of farming, rain, life, community, gender diversity, food and tradition, emphasising harmony between human and nature. It also highlights the importance of agriculture in Nepali culture.

On the occasion, a crowd of onlookers gathered to watch SGM members celebrating the Ropai Jatra. Clad in Nepali traditional attires, ‘Gunyau Cholo’, the participating SGM members, including MKPN’s President Maya Gurung planted rice saplings while singing Asare songs.

Asia’s first openly gay former parliamentarian of Nepal Sunil Babu Pant, also MKPN’s Executive Director, said this was a good opportunity for the SGM community to celebrate the Paddy Day and Rainbow Ropai Jatra for the first time.

According to MKPN, it continued the age-old tradition of the Ropai Jatra “Today we have celebrated the festival observed for years by men wearing women’s clothes,” Pant said, “SGM members are part of our society. We can also contribute to the society.”