Queen Maya Devi marathon announced

KATHMANDU, Dec 28:The rescheduled World Tourism Day 2024 celebration, organized by NuwaKoTT GHAR and Radio TOURISM, marked the 45th anniversary of the event with a vibrant program dedicated to promoting tourism and heritage. Led by organizer Bikram Pandey Kaaji, Consul General of Greece, the event launched a tourism product dedicated to Raj Mata Maya Devi—the first initiative honoring a royal female figure. Guests were felicitated with Buddha’s khada from Lumbini, emphasizing spiritual and cultural unity.  

Bikram Pandey Kaaji introduced the concept of “spiritual sports,” an initiative that began in 2017. He announced the upcoming Queen Maya maternity route marathon. It is the world’s first women empowerment spiritual sports run, scheduled for May 12, 2025. It is on Buddha’s birthday and will be celebrated as Queen Maya Devi Mother’s Day. The marathon will follow the historic maternity route from Lumbini to Kapilvastu, emphasizing sustainable tourism and benefiting local economies, as seen with the Tenzing-Hillary Everest Marathon. He highlighted the vision of "A home away from home is Buddha's home," promoting tourism rooted in history and culture.  

Chiri Babu Maharjan, Mayor of Lalitpur Metropolitan City (LMC), spoke about LMC's commitment to heritage preservation, both tangible and intangible. He detailed the restoration of earthquake-damaged monuments, with only one requiring artistic bricks left to complete. He also addressed rainwater management improvements in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank, ensuring sites like Patan Durbar Square are protected.  

Former Tourism Minister Yankila Sherpa applauded the newly launched tourism product and emphasized its role in innovative tourism. She encouraged agencies like TAAN and NTB to develop similar routes while appreciating the contribution of female riders. Highlighting the environmental benefits of trekking, she expressed gratitude to all stakeholders for their efforts in sustainable tourism.  

The Dui Pangre Queens, a women’s two-wheeler rider group, were awarded certificates for their contributions. A representative from the group shared their experiences during a four-day ride inspired by the newly launched route, emphasizing the importance of continued collaboration to encourage women-led tourism initiatives. “Let's keep moving forward together and we wish to continue these rides,” the representative stated. 

The celebration underscored the potential of tourism to promote heritage, empowerment, and sustainability. With diverse voices advocating for progress, the event showcased Nepal’s commitment to blending cultural preservation with modern tourism strategies.