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On the occasion of Phagu Purnima, devotees have thronged Bhimsen Temple in Bhaktapur. 

On Phagu Purnima devotees throng Pardeshi Bhimsen Temple in Ardash, Yachhen Bhimsen Temple in Yanchen, and Tachpal Bhimsen Temple in Dattatraya for a darshan and worshipping.

It is culturally believed that worshipping the deity Bhimsen on the day of Phagu Purnima opens up a new source of income and business flourishes. 

On this day, traditional Dhimebaja, Fansuri baja, Dha baja, are played by different groups going up to the Bhimsen Temple from different settlements. 

The Fagu festival is celebrated by worshiping the deity and savouring Samyebajji. This is called Bhising Pooja in the local language. 

Likewise, local women dress up in Newari ethnic costume, the Hakupatasi, worship the Bhimsen deity, savor Samyebajji, and then go around the neighborhood to celebrate Phagu.

The weather will remain mainly fair in the country, with partly cloudy conditions likely over the hilly regions of Koshi, Bagmati, and Gandaki Provinces, as well as the remaining mountainous regions. 

Furthermore, there is a possibility of light rain and snowfall with thunder and lightning at one or two places in the hilly and mountainous regions of Koshi Province, as well as in the mountainous regions of Bagmati and Gandaki Provinces, according to the Meteorological Forecasting Division.

Morning mist is likely at a few places in the Tarai region. Generally cloudy conditions are expected over the mountainous regions of Koshi, Bagmati, and Gandaki Provinces.

Later tonight, haze is likely at a few places in the Tarai region, while partly cloudy conditions are expected over the hilly and mountainous regions of Koshi and Gandaki Provinces. The weather will remain mainly fair over the rest of the country. 

There is a possibility of light rain and snowfall with thunder and lightning at one or two places in the hilly and mountainous regions of Koshi Province, as well as in the mountainous region of Gandaki Province.

Meanwhile, the meteorological analysis by the Division states that at present Nepal is under the partial influence of westerly winds.

The Thakali community, mostly in Myagdi and Mustang, are celebrating their major festival, the Toran Lha (Phagu Purnima) festival today.

Believed to be a population of 11,000 people living in various parts of Nepal, the Thakali community celebrates the traditional Toran Lha festival every year on the occasion of Phagu Poornima. 

Sundarman Sherchan, the chair of the Thakali Sewa Samiti Beni, said that it is customary to celebrate Toran Lha, which begins the day before Phagu Purnima, for three days. The festival is observed by remembering the ancestors, worshipping them and inviting relatives for a feast and playing archery.

Kowang in Thasang Rural Municipality of Mustang is considered the origin of the Thakali community. The Thakali community is predominantly settled in Gharpajhong and Thasang Rural Municipalities, with many settled in the market areas of Dana, Bhurung Tatopani, Beni, Darwang and other areas of Myagdi. 

Thakali people who are away from home and abroad have returned to their birthplace to celebrate Toran Lha. 

On the occasion, men of the Thakali community enjoy themselves by playing the traditional archery. Women celebrate Toran Lha by dressing up in traditional costumes, dancing and singing, and exchanging greetings. 

Meanwhile, the taro shooting or archery competition organized by the Thakali Sewa Samiti Beni has started in Beni from Sunday. 

Since it is election time this year, only members of the Thakali community are gathering to celebrate Toran Lha by following the election code of conduct, said Shankarman Sherchan of the Thakali Sewa Samiti

The International Republican Institute (IRI), a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to advancing democracy and freedom globally, is deploying a delegation of international election observers to Kathmandu, Nepal, from March 1 to 7, 2026, to assess the conduct of the March 5 House of Representatives election.

This high-level mission, comprised of international policy and elections experts, will arrive in Kathmandu on March 1 to meet with a broad range of stakeholders, including the Election Commission, political parties, Interim Government officials, and civic organizations from across the Nepali political spectrum.

“Nepal’s House of Representatives election will be a critical test of whether its young democracy can respond to citizens’ demands for accountability, generational renewal, and more responsive governance,” said Steve Cima, IRI’s Resident Program Director for Asia-Pacific.  “The outcome will help determine whether the country can restore public trust in its institutions and move toward greater political stability.”

The delegation’s report, which will offer an impartial assessment of the quality and conduct of electoral processes, including thematic findings and recommendations from the pre-election period and election day administration, will be released in the weeks following the elections.

Since 1983, IRI has organized over 270 international election observation missions worldwide, earning a reputation for objectivity and professionalism. The mission will conduct its activities in accordance with the laws of Nepal and the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation and the Code of Conduct adopted by the United Nations in 2005. All activities will be conducted on a strictly nonpartisan basis and without interfering in the electoral process.