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Vice President Nanda Bahadur Pun has said that the diversity of faith and cultures have made the national unity stronger. The Vice President made this observation in a message of best wishes he gave on the occasion of Tihar Festival-2079BS and the Nepal Sambat New Year 1143. He wished that the various festivals provide the energy to forge unity ahead for building a prosperous Nepal. Stating that a secular nation Nepal which is full of multi-ethnic, multi-linguistic, multi-religious, multi-cultural and geographical diversity is very rich in terms of culture and customs as well, Vice President Pun expressed the belief that the festival of Tihar and Nepal's unique calendar, the Nepal Sambat, contribute towards further consolidating the national unity by enhancing mutual goodwill, tolerance, brotherhood and unity among the Nepalis. He has also expressed best wishes for happiness, peace, prosperity, good health and continued progress to all Nepali sisters and brothers within the country and abroad, as well as for the nation's prosperity on these occasions.  

Hyatt Place Kathmandu is conducting a week-long food festival from 29th Oct to 5th Nov, to celebrate the food heritage & ethnic cuisines of Nepal in collaboration with Raithane - a food enterprise that champions traditional ingredients and dishes.  

Nepal is a diverse country with a varied culture, language, and biodiversity. From the deep valleys to the high Himalayas and lush evergreen forests of Terai to the mountain grasslands, geography and culture have shaped and defined food preferences of hundreds of ethnic groups which have evolved with time and way of life of the people. But, unfortunately, due to several reasons, these ethnic cuisines are being forgotten or lost.  

Modernization is important, equally important is to preserve the tradition and culture we inherited, cuisine being the impartial part of it.

Underlining the same belief, “Lost Cuisines of Nepal” is an initiation by Hyatt Place Kathmandu to accent these traditional dishes which is not just going to be a culinary experience but also will take you through the journey of lifestyle of the Nepalese people reflected through the dishes. 

For instance, in Phalgi, the sweetness of young green maize is preserved by crushing it and drying for use in winter stews.

In Taruwa, seasonal greens are dipped in fresh batter and fried to provide a crispy bite to everyday meals.

In Yanben faksa, wild edible lichen is elaborately processed and paired with pork offal. 

Thekuwa, an ancient delicacy, prepared for matrimonial rituals at Terai regions. These are a few mentions from a menu. This food fest, set in a traditional interior of Zing-World of Flavours, will feature even more ancient delicacies from nooks & corners of the country. 

This first-ever traditional food fest will be inaugurated by Pawan Golyan who has been consistently promoting Nepal made products with one of his many ventures, Mato.

Two persons were electrocuted in Janakpurdham Sub-Metropolitan City in Dhanusha district on Monday. The deceased have been identified as Amit Mishra and (19) of Basbitti in Janakpurdham Sub-Metropolitan City-22 and Shiva Raj Yadav (14) of Janakpurdham Sub-Metropolitan City-9, according to the District Police Office, Dhanusha. The incident occurred while fixing the power supply for the Tihar celebration. Mishra and Yadav breathed their last during the course of treatment at the Provincial Hospital in Janakpurdham, Deputy Superintendent of Police Pradip Bahadur Chhetri said.

Mha Puja — worship of oneself — is also celebrated today by the Newar community across the country. The Newar community marks the Nepal Sambat, New Year, in the morning and Mha Puja in the evening. Mha Puja falls on the Newari New Year based on the Newari calendar, Nepal Sambat. Main priest of Taleju temple Siddhibir Karmacharya said that Mha Puja should be observed today itself as per the tradition there are some confusions for the celebration in Bhaktapur. Mha Pula literally means self-worship. People of Newar community mark this on the fourth night of Tihar, Kartik Shukla Pratipada, by worshiping self with a hope that light of knowledge shall spread after the destruction of ignorance. On this day, Newars prepare sweet dishes at homes and mandalas (sacred diagram as symbol of their soul) are drawn on the floor and worshiped. Family members sit in front of the mandalas and the lady of the house presents each of them with a burning wick, sacred thread Jajanka and fruits symbolizing long life and good fortune. Historian Prof Dr Purushottam Lochan Shrestha said Mha Puja is the symbol of knowledge to know self and spread knowledge in the world. According to him, Mha Puja is an ancient festival of the Newar community, which is also a symbol of prosperity. However, culture expert Om Dhaubhadel said that there is no evidence to confirm when exactly this festival was started but added that the Newar community is observing this festival since the Lichchhivi era.