Nepalese youths (top) and farmers (below) plant rice saplings in paddy fields to celebrate the Rice Planting Festival in Nepal. Rice is one of the most essential crops in Nepal. Every summer, as the rains set in the valley (June/July) the farmers and people celebrate the advent of monsoon by planting rice known as Ropai festival.
Farmers covered in mud plant rice at paddy fields to celebrate National Paddy day or Ropai festival. On this day also known as Asar Pandra farmers plant rice and celebrate the day with muddy water activities that marks the beginning of rice crop planting.
