IN PICS: Paddy plantation kicks-off

KATHMANDU, June 29: Asar 15 (the 15th day in the third month in the Nepali calendar) is marked as the Ropain Diwas or Dhan Diwas (National Rice Plantation Day or National Paddy Day) annually.

This day farmers plant saplings in the field and it is often marked as the beginning paddy transplanting season. People play in mud, play musical instruments, sing folk songs and treat themselves with curd and beaten rice.