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Bouddha festival: Fanfare for world peace
KATHMANDU, JAN 18 - The day was sunny, the weather cool and for hundreds who came to Bouddha today, it was a perfect way to spend their weekend. Carrying a message of ‘Peace for the world’, the Bouddha Street festival had it all.
"After a long week at work, it was good to come here and relax," said 21 years old Tshoden Gyalpo of Bouddha Road with a bottle of beer in one hand and a plate of chhoela in the other. And - that was what the people seemed to be doing.There were people of all types: children, teenagers, office goers, elderly, monks and tourists. "This is my first visit to Bouddha and it was by chance there was a street festival. I am really enjoying myself," said Gywen Jones of Ottawa in Canada, who was busy clicking photographs of the event.
Live performances from Dipesh Kishore Bhattarai, Raju Lama and the Gloomy Guys kept the crowd in a festive mood. DJ Anish from Club Platinum also gave a variety of music numbers including R&B, House and Trans.
Asim Rana, of Ad and Event Company, said that the festival was organised to promote peace in the nation and the world. "What better place to spread peace than at Bouddha? " he asked.
There were 80 stalls with goods ranging from handicrafts, carpets, clothing and just about anything one can imagine. A lot of people were also surprised to find car and bike displays in the middle of the street festival.
"We have displayed the Bullet bikes as they are brought by the Lamas and Sherpas who mostly live in Bouddha area," said Bijay Mahato, Sales Executive of Dugar Brothers and Sons. He also added that it was unusual to hold a car show in open space.
Delicious food including momos, burgers, pizzas, South Indian and Newari dishes from popular restaurants like Nanglo and Whimpy’s were also available with crowds trying to choose what to eat.
"The food is delicious," said 17 years old Ranjita Sharma of Mahankalthan, while eating a plate of momos with a group of her friends. "My friends came here to hang out and were having a blast."
Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Keshav Sthapit, inaugurated the festival earlier in the day. The festival began at 11 am in the morning and continued till nine in the night. The whole road from Chhuchepati to Jorpati was blocked off for the festival.Posted on: 2004-01-19 03:53
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