Lalitpur is one of the oldest cities of the Kathmandu valley and carry historical importance. Sharing its border with two other oldest cities of Kathmandu valley, Bhaktapur and Kathmandu (at present capital of the country) Lalitpur carries its own unique identity that is why it is one of the favourite tourist destinations of Nepal. It has always lured domestic and international tourist with its crafts and architecture.

From 28 March to 3 April people around the valley and from outside the valley and country saw the extravagance of the Newari culture and history of Lalitpur like no other time. More than 1 million people visited the week long fiesta named Lalitpur Mahotsav with the slogan ?Art, Culture and Heritage Our Civilisation, the Festival for the Socio Economic Development?. The fiesta was collaboratively organised by Lalitpur Sub metropolitan, Jyapu samaj and Lalitpur Chamber of Commerce and Industry where around 77 toles (small communities) participated and exhibited their culture and served guests with yummy Newari cuisine.

Apart from all other exhibits we were attracted by the gate made out of newspaper and plastic bottles. 

Yes, you saw it correct, NEWSPAPER and PLASTIC BOTTLES but in a very traditional style. Organisation named Destination of Root of People on Earth (D_ROPE) took 2 and half months to create those masterpieces. The organisation comprising youths from different sectors, successfully build these gates which not only inspired people to reuse their waste newspaper but also portrayed an excellent example of Newari culture and tradition and architectural excellence of the city. both the gates which were placed in Krishna Udhyan(A part of world heritage site, Patan Durbar Square) were one of the major attraction of visitors. Simultaneously, volunteers from the organisation were also teaching people to make mats, and other stuffs from the paper. The organisation also demonstrated bottle gardens hung on the wall of the Udhyan (garden) and environment related posters painted on the paper mat.

Let rest of the Mahotsav?s highlight be described by the picture.

(1st gate of paper,2nd paper of bottle, rest some pics of festival)

photos by Abhishek Raj Bajracharya