Kathmandu, October 11, 2026 — Former King Gyanendra Shah has decided to celebrate this year’s Bada Dashain festival in a simple manner and cancel the traditional public tika and jamara ceremony in view of the loss of life and property caused by recent natural disasters.
A notice issued by the communication secretariat at Nirmal Niwas on Sunday said there would be no public program to offer tika and jamara during this year’s Vijaya Dashami.
According to the secretariat, the decision was made in consideration of the devastating floods triggered by landslides in August and continuous heavy rainfall in September, which caused widespread destruction and displaced thousands of people.
The statement also referred to the deaths of hundreds of people and the extensive loss of life and property resulting from the disasters.
“Considering the difficult situation caused by the massive floods following the landslide in August and the continuous rainfall this September, which led to the displacement of thousands of people, the tragic death of hundreds, and irreparable loss of life and property, His Majesty King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev has decided to celebrate this year’s Bada Dashain festival in a simple manner while upholding his faith, values, and dignity,” the statement said.
