Topi Diwas
Nepali Topi Diwas (Nepali: नेपाली टोपी दिवस) is an annual event celebrated on January 1 to honor and promote the cultural heritage of Nepal. According to Online Khabar (2025), the event was initiated in 2014 (2070 B.S.) by Jagaran Yuwa Abhiyan Nepal to highlight traditional Nepali attire, particularly the Dhaka topi and Bhadgaunle topi, as symbols of national identity (Online Khabar, 2025).
Year-wise Table of Nepali Topi Diwas Celebrations
[edit]| Year | Topi Diwas Rank | Date | Location Celebrated | Organizer | Key Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 1st | January 1 | Social Media | Jagaruk Yuwa Abhiyan Nepal | Initiation Phase: The first Topi Diwas was celebrated exclusively on social media platforms, marking the beginning of the campaign to promote Nepali cultural identity through the traditional Topi (Sourya Online, 2016). |
| 2015 | 2nd | January 1 | Social Media | Jagaruk Yuwa Abhiyan Nepal | Expansion on Social Media: The second celebration continued the social media-only approach, increasing online engagement and awareness about the significance of the Nepali Topi in cultural identity (Sourya Online, 2016). |
| 2016 | 3rd | January 1 | Maitighar Mandala, Kathmandu | Jagaruk Yuwa Abhiyan Nepal | First Formal Gathering: Transitioned from online to physical events with youth gathering at Maitighar Mandala, Kathmandu. Included wearing traditional Topis and organizing morning parades to enhance visibility (Online Khabar, 2016). |
| 2017 | 4th | January 1 | Maitighar Mandala to New Baneshwor | Jagaruk Yuwa Abhiyan Nepal | Expanded Outreach: The celebration route extended from Maitighar Mandala to New Baneshwor, involving a larger number of participants and fostering community participation across different neighborhoods (Kendra Bindu, 2016). |
| 2018 | 5th | January 1 | Various Locations | Jagaruk Yuwa Abhiyan Nepal | Wider Participation: Celebrations spread to multiple locations, including schools, clubs, and community centers, enhancing nationwide recognition and involvement in the Topi Diwas activities (Kendra Bindu, 2016). |
| 2019 | 6th | January 1 | Maitighar Mandala, Kathmandu | Jagaruk Yuwa Abhiyan Nepal | Prabhatferi (Morning Parade): Organized a significant morning parade emphasizing the declaration of Nepali Topi as a national identity symbol. Increased participation from diverse age groups and communities (Kendra Bindu, 2019). |
| 2020 | 7th | January 1 | Virtual / Maitighar Mandala | Jagaruk Yuwa Abhiyan Nepal | Adaptation to Pandemic: Due to COVID-19 restrictions, formal gatherings were limited. Celebrations were conducted virtually through online platforms, maintaining engagement while ensuring safety (Kendra Bindu, 2020). |
| 2021 | 8th | January 1 | Patan Durbar Area | Jagaruk Yuwa Abhiyan Nepal | International Involvement: Included participation from international individuals, such as American citizens, symbolizing the global Nepali diaspora's support. Held formal programs with notable attendees (Janapati, 2021). |
| 2022 | 9th | January 1 | Various Locations, including Basantapur | Jagaruk Yuwa Abhiyan Nepal | Continued Virtual Engagement: Despite ongoing pandemic challenges, celebrations combined physical and virtual events. Emphasized social media participation to reach a broader audience both locally and internationally (Kendra Bindu, 2022). |
| 2023 | 10th | January 1 | Various Locations | Jagaruk Yuwa Abhiyan Nepal | Sustained Promotion: Continued efforts to promote Nepali Topi with adjusted events adhering to public health guidelines. Strengthened online campaigns alongside selective physical gatherings (Setopati, 2023). |
| 2024 | 11th | January 1 | Basantapur, Kathmandu | Jagaruk Yuwa Abhiyan Nepal | Formal Celebrations in Basantapur: Held a prominent event in Basantapur, Kathmandu, with significant participation from cultural and government sectors. Emphasized collaboration with Nepal's "Nepal Bhroman Barsha" campaign (Annapurna Times, 2024). |
| 2025 | 12th | January 1 | Basantapur, Kathmandu | Jagaruk Yuwa Abhiyan Nepal | Enhanced Recognition: Continued formal celebrations with expected increased recognition. Focused on expanding international awareness through robust social media strategies and collaborative events (Naya Page, 2025). |
Detailed Explanation of Each Year's Topi Diwas Celebrations
[edit]2014: 1st Topi Diwas
[edit]The inaugural Nepali Topi Diwas was celebrated exclusively on social media platforms. This year marked the initiation of the campaign by Jagaruk Yuwa Abhiyan Nepal to revive and promote the Nepali Topi as a symbol of cultural identity. The focus was on raising awareness and encouraging Nepali youth to embrace their traditional attire through online engagement[1].
2015: 2nd Topi Diwas
[edit]Building upon the first year's momentum, the second Topi Diwas continued the social media-only approach. The campaign saw increased online participation, with more individuals sharing images and messages in support of the Nepali Topi. This year reinforced the importance of digital platforms in cultural preservation efforts[1].
2016: 3rd Topi Diwas
[edit]Transitioning from a purely online celebration, the third Topi Diwas saw the first formal gathering organized by Jagaruk Yuwa Abhiyan Nepal at Maitighar Mandala, Kathmandu. Youth participants gathered wearing traditional Topis, and a morning parade (Prabhatferi) was conducted to physically showcase the cultural heritage. This event marked a significant shift towards in-person community engagement[2] .
2017: 4th Topi Diwas
[edit]The fourth celebration expanded the event's reach by extending the parade route from Maitighar Mandala to New Baneshwor. This expansion facilitated greater participation from diverse communities within Kathmandu, fostering a sense of unity and shared cultural pride among the participants (Kendra Bindu, 2016).
2018: 5th Topi Diwas
[edit]Celebrations in the fifth year spread across various locations, including schools, clubs, and community centers. This wider participation underscored the campaign's success in embedding the Nepali Topi into different societal segments, promoting it as a staple of formal and cultural attire nationwide (Kendra Bindu, 2016).
2019: 6th Topi Diwas
[edit]The sixth Topi Diwas featured a significant morning parade, emphasizing the Nepali Topi's role as a national identity symbol[3]. The event attracted a larger audience, with increased involvement from various age groups and communities, highlighting the Topi's enduring relevance in modern Nepali society[4].
2020: 7th Topi Diwas
[edit]Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the seventh Topi Diwas adapted by shifting to virtual celebrations. Due to health restrictions, formal gatherings were limited to ensure safety. Jagaruk Yuwa Abhiyan Nepal conducted celebrations through online platforms, maintaining engagement while adhering to public health guidelines[5] .
2021: 8th Topi Diwas
[edit]In 2021, the celebration included international participants, symbolizing the global Nepali diaspora's support for the campaign. The event held at Patan Durbar Area featured notable attendees, including American citizens, and emphasized the Nepali Topi's significance beyond national borders [6].
2022: 9th Topi Diwas
[edit]The ninth celebration continued to balance physical and virtual events, ensuring widespread participation despite ongoing pandemic challenges. Emphasis was placed on social media engagement to reach a broader audience, both within Nepal and internationally. Jagaruk Yuwa Abhiyan Nepal leveraged online platforms to sustain the campaign's momentum (Kendra Bindu, 2022).
2023: 10th Topi Diwas
[edit]As the campaign matured, the tenth Topi Diwas focused on sustained promotion through both online and selective physical gatherings. Jagaruk Yuwa Abhiyan Nepal adapted events to adhere to public health guidelines while maintaining active promotion of the Nepali Topi as a cultural identifier. This year also saw strengthened online campaigns to reach a wider audience (Setopati, 2023).
2024: 11th Topi Diwas
[edit]The eleventh Topi Diwas featured a prominent event in Basantapur, Kathmandu, with significant participation from cultural organizations and government sectors. Collaboration with Nepal's "Nepal Bhroman Barsha" (Nepal Tourism Year) campaign highlighted the Nepali Topi's role in promoting national identity and tourism. The event included formal programs and emphasized the Nepali Topi's importance as a cultural symbol [6].
2025: 12th Topi Diwas
[edit]The twelfth Topi Diwas continued formal celebrations in Basantapur, Kathmandu, with an expectation of enhanced recognition. The focus remained on expanding international awareness through robust social media strategies and collaborative events. Jagaruk Yuwa Abhiyan Nepal aimed to solidify the Nepali Topi's status as a global cultural symbol, fostering pride and identity among Nepali youth and the broader community [7].
Conclusion
[edit]Over the past twelve years, Jagaruk Yuwa Abhiyan Nepal has successfully transformed Nepali Topi Diwas from a social media initiative into a significant cultural event celebrated both nationally and internationally. Each year's celebration has built upon the previous ones, expanding participation, adapting to challenges like the pandemic, and reinforcing the Nepali Topi's role in preserving and promoting Nepal's rich cultural heritage. Through consistent efforts and strategic engagements, the campaign has fostered a renewed sense of pride and identity among Nepali youth and the broader community.
References
[edit]- ^ a b "तेस्रो टोपी दिवसले पाएको चर्चा". SouryaOnline. Retrieved 2025-01-09.
- ^ "यसरी मनाइयो तेस्रो अन्तराष्ट्रिय नेपाली टोपी दिवस (फोटो फिचरसहित)". Online Khabar. Retrieved 2025-01-09.
- ^ "यसरी शुरु भयो नेपाली टोपी दिवस (भिडियो सहित)". Kendrabindu. Retrieved 2025-01-09.
- ^ "छैठौं नेपाली टोपी दिवस पुष १७ गते, #Nepali_Pahichan ह्यासट्याग गर्न आग्रह". Kendrabindu. Retrieved 2025-01-09.
- ^ "नेपाल भ्रमण वर्ष र सातौं नेपाली टोपी दिवसको सन्दर्भ". Kendrabindu. Retrieved 2025-01-09.
- ^ a b "११ औं राष्ट्रिय टोपी दिवस यसरी मनाइयो". www.janapati.net. Retrieved 2025-01-09.
- ^ Setopati, नवीनबाबु गुरूङ ::. "मनाइयो १२ औं राष्ट्रिय पोशाक एवं टोपी दिवस (तस्बिरहरू)". Setopati. Retrieved 2025-01-09.
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