KATHMANDU, MAY 31

Farmers splash mud water while planting rice ahead of the plantation season in the outskirts of Kathmandu. They were seen dancing and singing to traditional tunes while catching a breath from their work, celebrating the pre-monsoon rains.

Some of them can be noticed wearing a facemask in line of their duty amid concerns over the COVID-19 spread.

Every year, Nepali farmers splash mud-covered water on each other on paddy fields while celebrating the National Paddy Day "Ropai" festival, which falls on Asar 15 of the Bikram Sambat calender. During Asar Pandhra farmers mark the beginning of rice crop planting in paddy fields during the monsoon season.

Photo: Skanda Gautam/THT
Photo: Skanda Gautam/THT

Photo: Skanda Gautam/THT
Photo: Skanda Gautam/THT

Photo: Skanda Gautam/THT
Photo: Skanda Gautam/THT

Photo: Skanda Gautam/THT
Photo: Skanda Gautam/THT