KATHMANDU: Amaghedingmo Rural Municipality in Rasuwa district is organising the Yak and Chauri Festival 2083 at Parbati Kunda, Gatlang, on April 26-28, combining yak conservation, cultural promotion and tourism development in one of the Himalayan districts closest to Kathmandu.

The three-day festival will feature inter-municipality cultural competition programmes and a mini marathon, alongside exhibitions of local products, Tamang cultural performances, religious tourism at Parbati Kunda, and a local food and handicraft market.

The cultural competition carries prize money ranging from NPR 30,000 for first place to NPR 5,000 for fourth, with ghee awards accompanying each cash prize. The mini marathon offers a top prize of NPR 10,000, with registration open until 5 AM on Baisakh 12 at a fee of NPR 500. Team registration for the cultural competition is Rs 1,000, open until 10 AM on April 25.

All winning artists will be felicitated with certificates. The organisers said national and international artists are also welcome to participate in the cultural programmes.

Parbati Kunda is a high-altitude lake in Rasuwa, a district bordering Tibet that is known for its Tamang heritage, trekking routes and proximity to Langtang National Park.