Pokhara, 25 December| The ongoing 21st edition of the Lekhnath Festival has seen a significant rise in footfall and economic activity by its seventh day. As the festival’s vibrancy increases, stall operators specializing in local agricultural products and natural herbs are expressing immense satisfaction with their sales. Consumers have shown a growing preference for organic products, traditional herbs, dairy items, and fresh local fish over processed goods. Pasang Ayo, a 50-year-old vendor from Mustang who is participating for the first time, shared her excitement after recording daily sales of approximately 15,000 rupees through the sale of Himalayan herbs like Jimbu, Timur, and rock salt.
Similarly, experienced herbalist Jaya Bahadur Thapa of Sheetal Herbals, who has been a regular participant since the first edition, reported that his business has reached several hundred thousand rupees this year. He noted that female customers are particularly interested in organic roots and medicinal herbs such as Kurilo and Harro, indicating a rising awareness of traditional health remedies. Beyond the herbal sector, the local food and fish business is also thriving. Narayan Nepali, the owner of Begnas Fish Shop, reported an impressive daily turnover of around 60,000 rupees from fresh local fish sales. This trend suggests that the Lekhnath Festival is successfully providing a vital platform for local entrepreneurs and farmers to market their indigenous products directly to a large consumer base.
