On the evening of New Year 2025, Khamdinge Bazaar in Taplejung was alive with festivities. The Bazaar is a five-hour journey from Fungling, the district headquarters, via Ganeshchowk in Panchthar. Singer Pramod Kharel was the highlight of the musical evening, which drew hundreds of attendees. People from neighbouring districts like Panchthar and Tehrathum joined in, eager to celebrate by the banks of the Kabeli River.

Kharel, who had previously performed at the ‘Kanchenjunga Hirak Mahotsav’ at Suketar a decade ago and had wowed the crowd at the Puseymela (Fair organised in the month of Poush (mid-December to mid-January)) just before the Covid pandemic, brought the same zeal to Khamdinge. “Kharel displayed the same energy here as he did during the Suketar festival,” said Lal Krishna Chauhan, chairperson of Sirijanga Rural Municipality. “I’ve always been a fan of his and watched the performance without batting an eye. Seeing his unwavering energy even as he ages inspired me too,” Chauhan shared.

Taking the stage with “I love you, Taplejung…” Pramod energised the audience. He performed over a dozen songs, including hits like ‘Hungama Bho Hungama’, ‘Jhuma Jhumkawali’, and ‘Mero Dil Chha Pokharama’. He also emphasised the need to promote Taplejung’s tourist destinations, including Kanchenjunga. The event also featured other local talents from Taplejung, such as Kusal Thalang, Deepa Suhang, and Preetika Begha, who the organisers invited.

Local youth have been hosting this fair annually in the month of Poush (mid-December to mid-January) to celebrate the arrival of federalism in Nepal. Umesh Adhikari, chairperson of the fair organising committee, said that residents celebrate this day by collecting funds and organising fairs. “We gain two main benefits from this,” Adhikari explained, “The local market becomes vibrant, with transactions worth millions, and as it’s on the route to Mt Kanchenjunga, it helps promote the area.”

The fair includes programmes such as volleyball tournaments and runs for three days. However, if the national artists are present, one evening is dedicated to such concerts featuring them. “Despite the challenges in managing these events, we’ve successfully gathered thousands of attendees over the past 16 years without any disputes,” said Rocky Thebe, advisor to the organising committee.

Khamdinge Bazaar, a hub for cash crops like cardamom and broom grass, is the third-largest commercial centre in the district after Fungling Municipality and Dovan. Chairperson Chauhan says the local government also supports these fairs. Both districts will benefit as they are situated near Yangwarak Rural Municipality in Panchthar, claim the organisers.

Earlier, singer Raju Lama performed at Meringden and Aathrai Triveni rural municipality on the occasion of Puseymela, Rajesh Payal Rai at Tellok’s Sirijanga Fair, and Shantishree Pariyar and Chewang Lama at the Chasok Tangnam celebration. Former Miss Nepal Malvika Subba hosted several events in Mangsir and Poush, marking a vibrant season of celebrity performances in Taplejung.