Street Food Festival starts in Sauraha

CHITWAN, Feb 13: A food festival has started on the streets of Sauraha from Sunday. Restaurant and Bar Association Nepal (REBAN) Sauraha organized a three-day food festival on the occasion of Valentine's Day. Before the start of the festival, tableaux of various associations, organizations and communities were drawn.

The organizers believe that the festival, which will run until February 14, will help bring tourists to Sauraha. REBAN Sauraha has been organizing the festival every year. Now the 17th edition is about to be done.

Sauraha, which is connected to Chitwan National Park, is a world-famous destination for tourists who come to observe forests and wildlife. Naresh Giri, president of REBAN Sauraha, said that the festival is organized every year to promote it.

Dhrub Giri, coordinator of the festival, said that with the slogan 'Eat on the road, have fun on the road', the businessmen will prepare food on the roadside in the market area from Hattichok to Rapti Dak and from Malluchok to Gandachok.

"Domestic and foreign tourists who come to Sauraha do not have to look for other places to celebrate Valentine's Day," said Giri, "We have created an environment where they can come to Sauraha and observe the beautiful scenery, taste the food and celebrate Valentine's Day with sweet hospitality."

For the festival, Sauraha has been made glittering by putting  lights on the road from Hattichowk to Gandachowk. National flags and banners are hung on the poles. Coordinator Giri claimed that tourists will get a new Sauraha experience as soon as they enter the main market of Sauraha.

Another attraction of the festival is the tableau and cultural program of the tribes, said co-ordinator Naveen Nepal. Nepal said that the aim is to promote local, indigenous and foreign food as well as local art culture and costumes. He said that there will be a tableau performance and a competition of the art, culture, mother group, bhajan group and other associations in Chitwan.

Surya Bahadur Rimal, Secretary General of Rewan Sauraha, said that Rewan's aims are to promote Sauraha as an excellent tourist destination at the national and international level, to continue bright Sauraha, to support educational materials for the underprivileged and disadvantaged students through the Educational Disadvantaged Fund, and to protect the environment.

Organizers estimate that 5,000 tourists will visit the festival every day. It is expected that there will be a financial transaction worth around 6 million rupees.

The festival will be held on February 12 and February 13th from 5 pm to 10 pm and on February 14th from 5 pm to 11 pm on the day of 'Pranay Diwas'.