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Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has expressed the hope that the Chhath festival will inspire all of us to embrace the values of good governance, prosperity and social justice.

Extending his best wishes to the entire Nepali sisters and brothers on the occasion of the Chhath, the Prime Minister hoped that the festival would contribute to further strengthening national unity, mutual trust and ties, empowering us to overcome prevailing challenges in the country.  

"The festivals celebrated in Nepali society carry a historic significance and background, and serve as the foundation for human civilization and development," the head of the government said on the occasion of the festival dedicated to the Sun god.

Stating that this festival is established as the festival forging a lively practical connection between nature and human life, he said it played an important role in terms of respect and preservation of goods useful in human life and also for the development of a culture of production and work.

The PM said although small in terms of territory and area, Nepal is big and prosperous in terms of diversity of languages, cultures, festivals, costumes and civilization.

The Prime Minister stated that our culture, rituals and historic facts very much vindicated to the richness of our cultural diversity, adding the Constitution of Nepal has adopted the unity with diversity as the national dignity, internalizing the multi-ethnic, multi-linguistic, multi-cultural and regional uniqueness of Nepali society.

Prime Minister Dahal expressed the belief that the Chhath festival inspired us all towards fulfilling the national mission of prosperity by converting the challenges into opportunity, infusing hope in the people's and social life and coalescing unity in the nation.

Nepal defeated Japan by 45 runs to  secure third position in the Women's T20 Quadrangular Series held in Hong Kong.

Batting first after winning the toss, Nepal scored 115 runs for the loss of five wickets. Pooja Mahato top-scored with 43 runs followed by Roma Thapa who scored 22 runs while Rubina Chhetri scored 21 runs.

In reply, Japan could muster only 70 runs by losing six wickets in the allotted 20 overs.

For Nepal, Sangita Rai, Indu Burma, Sita Rana Magar, Khushi Dangol and Soni Pakhrin took one wicket each.

Earlier, Nepal had defeated Japan by 67 runs in the last match of the group stage held on Saturday.

Nepal, Tanzania, Japan and Hong Kong are participating in the four-nation series. After coming up as winners and runners-up of the group stage, Tanzania and Hong Kong will play for the title later this afternoon.

Led by captain Indu Burma, the Nepali team comprises vice-captain Bindu Rawal, Rubina Chhetri, Sita Ranamgar, Asmina Karmacharya, Kajol Shrestha, Kanchan Shrestha, Khushi Dangol, Sangeeta Rai, Soni Pakhrin, Somu Bista, Pooja Mahato, Roma Thapa and Samjhana Khadka.

In a cricketing spectacle of grand proportions, India, the unbeaten hosts, are set to carry the hopes of billions when they face off against Australia in the highly anticipated World Cup final at the majestic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday.

The 130,000-capacity stadium, named after the Indian Prime Minister, is not only the battleground for this high-stakes encounter but also the canvas for pre-match extravaganzas, the Time of India reported.

A pre-match fly-past by the Indian Air Force and meticulously choreographed displays featuring dancers and light shows during innings breaks are all part of the pageantry, underscoring India's status as the economic powerhouse of the cricketing world.

India's cricketing dominance in the tournament has been nothing short of spectacular winning all 10 games leading up to the final.

Virat Kohli, the tournament’s leading batsman, has been in sublime form, setting a new record of 50 ODI hundreds in the semi-final victory over New Zealand. Mahammed Shami, leading the tournament bowling charts with 23 wickets at an impressive average of 9.13, has been a potent force for the hosts, according to The TImes of India.

Captain Rohit Sharma, acknowledging the immense pressure, stated, “Playing for India is as good as playing any World Cup game because there is so much pressure. There is so much expectation.” He added, “ Not many have played the finals, but like I said, playing for India is as good as playing any World Cup game.”

Australia, bidding for a record-extending sixth World Cup title, enter the final with a team boasting survivors from their triumphant 2015 World Cup campaign. Captain Pat Cummins emphasized the team’s experience, saying, “We know that feeling and won’t be afraid to go out there and be  brave and take the game on.”

Nepali Congress President and former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has said that all festivals of the country are the heritage of our social relations and cultural harmony.

In a message of best wishes on the occasion of Chhath festival, he said that festivals help to develop a spirit of collectivism and help to build the foundation of unity and harmony.

Extending his best wishes for happiness, peace, prosperity and success to all on the occasion of this festival, Deuba said that Nepal is a country with diverse festivals, religious and cultural traditions and with a harmonious tradition of respecting and honoring one another's religious and cultural traditions.

Leader Deuba has also wished that the Chhath festival may inspire all everyone to promote social harmony by creating an atmosphere of happiness, peace and prosperity.

Chhath festival, one of the major festivals of the country and predominantly observed in the Tarai region, is being celebrated today by worshiping the sun.

As a major part of the festival, the setting sun is worshiped by offering argha while the same process is followed to worship the rising sun on Monday morning to bring the festival to an end.

Tonight, the revelers observe a fast and stay awake all night and offer prayers to the rising sun tomorrow morning.

Banks of rivers, streams and ponds across the country are decorated for the Chhath festival.

It is widely believed that observing a fast in obeisance of Chhathi goddess will bring desired results and well-being for the family and all of their sorrows and troubles will vanish away.

Meanwhile, the federal government has announced a public holiday today to mark the festival.

The preparations for the Chhath festival in Kathmandu are nearing completion, with the banks of the Bagmati River and the city's ponds adorned in vibrant decorations for the upcoming celebration.

This revered festival, deeply entrenched in Nepali tradition, venerates the Sun God, Surya, and Chhathi Maiya, the Goddess of Purity, Fertility, and Power. Its observance involves meticulous rituals and offerings, symbolizing gratitude, penance, and the pursuit of blessings for well-being and prosperity.

Nepal, renowned for its rich cultural diversity, embraces Chhath with profound enthusiasm and reverence. The festival holds significant importance in the hearts of Nepalis, particularly those dwelling in the Terai region. Rivers and ponds across Kathmandu transform into lively hubs of colorful decorations and communal gatherings during this auspicious occasion.

The detailed preparations for Chhath encompass a multitude of activities, from diligently cleaning the riverbanks and ponds to embellishing them with vibrant ornamentation. Elaborate makeshift stages, referred to as 'ghats,' are meticulously constructed along the riverbanks, where devotees will partake in various rituals and offer prayers to the rising and setting sun.

Two elderly men died of cold in quake-hit Jajarkot district.

The deceased have been identified as Bhuleshwor Karki (88) of Bheri Municipality-2 and Narendra Bahadur Singh of Barekot Rural Municipality-4. They were residing under the tent after an earthquake destroyed their houses.

A 6.4 magnitude earthquake with its epicenter in Ramidanda of Jajarkot jolted Jajarkot and Rukum West districts on November 3, killing at least 157 persons and destroying properties worth millions.

Both of them were patients of asthma and died due to increasing cold, said Chairperson of Barekot Rural Municipality, Bir Bahadur Giri.  

He said that more than 34,000 families of Jajarkot district are living under tents after their houses were completely damaged by the earthquake.  Children, new mothers, patients suffering from chronic diseases and elderly persons are mostly affected by the cold.

Chief District Officer of Jajarkot, Suresh Sunar, said that children and elderly persons are found suffering from respiratory problems.

He stated that two chronic disease patients also lost their lives from cold at Nalgad-4 last week.