Warm welcome to HRH Former Crown Princess Himani and Former Crown Prince Hridayendra on behalf of the people of Jumla

         
        On the 24th of Jestha, 2082 BS, Her Royal Highness Former Crown Princess Himani Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah and His Royal Highness Former Crown Prince Hridayendra Bir Bikram Shah arrived in Jumla via Summit Air. Their visit is to lay the foundation stone for a new birthing center being constructed in Manisanghu, Guthichaur Rural Municipality. This initiative aims to improve maternal healthcare services and is considered an important step toward ensuring the health and safety of mothers and future generations in the region. On behalf of Jumla, we extend a warm welcome to them. May their stay here be fruitful, pleasant, and memorable.

Traditional Marsi Rice Plantation Continues at Chandan Nath Bhairavnath Temple’s Shera Field

     The traditional plantation of Kalimarsi rice has once again taken place at the Shera field of Chandan Nath Bhairavnath Temple, a revered religious landmark in Jumla. This year’s ritual planting was held on Wednesday, continuing a time-honored cultural and spiritual practice.

Amar Bahadur Thapa, Chairperson of the Chandan Nath Bhairavnath Guthi Management Committee, shared that Marsi rice was originally brought from Kashmir, India, by Chandan Nath Baba and has been cultivated in the Shera field ever since. The rice is planted annually on Jestha 14 (late May) as a sacred offering to the temple. “Marsi rice has traditionally been sown in the Shera Jiulo to produce sacred grains (Akshata) for temple rituals,” Thapa explained.

Historically, this ceremonial planting has been accompanied by the singing of Mangal songs and the playing of Panche Baja, traditional Nepali instruments. However, locals have raised concerns that these cultural traditions are fading, even as the religious importance of the Shera Jiulo remains deeply rooted in Jumla's heritage.

This year, rice was planted across 22 bhari (a traditional unit of land) in the Shera field. The event was attended by local residents, community leaders, and students from Chandan Nath Secondary School, who actively participated in preserving this cultural legacy.