Locals of Pokhara Lekhnath Metropolitan City marked the National Paddy Day at Phewaphant in Kaski on Friday. Pokhara Tourism Council organised a special programme at a paddy field in Pame across the Phewa lake.

Farmers and the organiser were joined by tourists during a special programme and marked the festival by splashing mud at each other and singing folk songs.

The 15th of Nepali month Ashar is observed as National Paddy Day. Farmers across the country observed the festival today.

Traditionally farmers gather at their fields to plant paddy saplings with great enthusiasm and enjoy Dahi Chyura (curd and beaten rice) as a special food for the day.

Nepal has been observing the Day every Ashar 15 from 2005 after a Cabinet meeting on December 14, 2004 made the decision.