Kathmandu,

June29,

Asar 15 or National Paddy Day holds great significance for the farmers of Nepal as it marks the beginning of paddy plantation shortly after the arrival of monsoon in the country. On this day, people plant rice saplings in the fields while singing traditional folk songs and splashing muddy water at each other.

Also, the day is incomplete without eating dahi chiura (curd and beaten rice), which is why it is also known as Dahi Chiura Khane Din.

Nepal started celebrating Asar 15 as National Paddy Day from 2005 as per a minister-level decision taken on December 14, 2004.