Final Day of Chitwan Elephant Festival in Sauraha Today

Sauraha (Chitwan), Dec 28: The 19th Chitwan Elephant and Tourism Festival concludes today with traditional elephant worship and a special feast for the majestic animals.

Festival coordinator Gunaraj Thapaliya said that today’s event will honor elephants, long revered as sacred animals in Nepal. “This year, the feast will be served in a buffet style, offering the elephants their favorite dishes, allowing them to eat freely,” he added.

Around 80 elephants owned by government bodies and private organizations have participated in various festival activities. Over the past days, attendees enjoyed entertainment events such as an elephant beauty contest, boat races, penalty shootouts, and more. A glimpse of the world-famous elephant polo was also showcased on Saturday at Baghmara ground, delighting domestic and international tourists, though the full game could not be conducted.

Hotels in Sauraha have been fully booked over the last two days as visitors flocked to witness the festival. Organized at Baghmara ground, the festival is patronized by Ratnanagar Municipality and co-organized by the United Elephant Operation Cooperatives Society Limited. It is held annually in late December.