In some of the outskirts of the city I noticed, rice plantation had already begun as you can see by the photos, but traditionally Asar 15 (June 29) is declared as a National Rice Day. In Hindu cultural tradition, Asar 15 is also considered as the auspicious day to start rice transplanting. Eating Dahi Chiura (Flattened rice with curd) is one of the ways to observe the occasion.
Daal bhat is still a daily staple of many Nepali households through out the country. Not only is it an everyday household meal, but its significance can be widely seen in social and religious functions. Bhat khulai, a rice feeding ceremony observed on the sixth month of a child’s birth is still seen practiced today. As a way to introduce solid food to the baby, my own nephew who is away from Nepal went through this ceremony on his sixth month. And, those celebrating Dasain have certainly been blessed with tika (a mixture of rice, yogurt, vermilion powder) put on their foreheads by the elders. Once again rice can be seen offered to our ancestors during funeral rites and ancestor worship days also.
In a webinar conducted today, the presenter traveling in Nepal in the 1960s related his food experience of the time. According to him, the only non-Nepali food item available at the hotel at that time was fried eggs, otherwise dal bhaat was pretty much predominant. It is one item that continues to be part of the Nepali cuisine. In my trip to Dolakha in 2017, I chose to have dal bhat, and as you can see in the photo the items are illustrious with rice, dal, chicken curry, aloo and bodi ko sabji/ potatoes and beans vegetable, saag/spinach, dahi/curd, tomato ko chutney, and fresh cucumber.
I have complied a list of the local variety of rice available in Nepal. There are a lot of conversations going on at the moment regarding the local variety/import of rice/ food security in Nepal. If these area interest you, please do look them up.
Types of local rice
· Gudgude Maris
· Thai
· Mansara
· Anadi
· Rajbhog
· Krishnabhog
· Samundra Pheenz
· Phalame
Within Kathmandu,
· Mansuli
· Pokhreli
· Jeera Maseeno
· Several varieties of Basmati
· Thaichung
Within the Newars this variety particularly seen to make chiura and jand (alcoholic beverages)
In Dang
· Tilki
In Pokhara
· Aromatic Jetho Budo
There are other varieties of red, black and brown rice also available, which is said to be more nutritious than white rice. Brown rice contains more vitamins and minerals and fiber due to its bran layer, but once it is removed and polished it loses its nutrients.
Sources
· Ministry of Agricultural Development, Department of Agriculture
http://cddnepal.gov.np/downloadfile/Rice_Varietal_Mapping_1470895701_1512106555.pdf
· International Rice Research Institute
