Chitwan Elephant and Tourism Festival Wraps Up with Elephants, Cultural Celebrations, and Tourist Buzz in Nepal, Featuring International Visitors from India, China, US And More

Published on December 29, 2025

By: Paramita Sarkar

The 19th edition of the Chitwan Elephant and Tourism Festival has concluded in the vibrant town of Sauraha, Chitwan, Nepal. The festival, which ran from Friday to Sunday, successfully combined tourism promotion, elephant conservation, and cultural celebrations, attracting both domestic and international visitors. The event featured over 80 elephants and brought together tourists from countries like India, China, the US, and Europe, underscoring the growing global interest in Nepal’s wildlife and cultural heritage.

This year’s festival was a unique blend of entertainment, wildlife education, and local culture, designed to highlight the importance of elephants in Nepalese society. The opening ceremony on Friday set the tone, with a grand parade featuring elephants, Tharu dance performances, and other cultural shows. As the festival progressed, it showcased various events, including elephant beauty contests, elephant parades, and a special elephant picnic on the final day.

The closing day of the festival saw a traditional elephant worship ceremony, a significant cultural practice that underlined the deep connection between elephants and local communities. Visitors watched with awe as the elephants, well-trained and in high spirits, participated in contests and interacted with the crowds. The final event, the elephant picnic, was a crowd favorite. More than 50 elephants indulged in their favorite foods, including rice and jaggery pudding, fruits, bread, and sugarcane.

The primary objective of the festival, as stated by the organizers, was to boost tourism in the Sauraha area and Chitwan National Park, one of Nepal’s most famous wildlife reserves. With a focus on conservation, the event highlighted the importance of human-elephant coexistence. Organizers also used the festival as a platform to promote Chitwan as a top travel destination for both domestic and international tourists, aiming to increase visitor numbers each year.

Among the various competitions, the Elephant Beauty Contest stood out, where Elephants such as Poonam Kali claimed top honors. The audience cheered enthusiastically when Champakali, another elephant, made a perfect penalty shot in one of the exciting games. The celebration was not just for elephants but also for visitors who enjoyed interacting closely with these magnificent animals, feeding them fruits and taking selfies to remember the day.

More than 80 elephants took part in various events throughout the festival, coming from both the Government of Nepal’s Elephant Breeding Centre and private owners. The festival’s organizers have emphasized that the event is not only about celebrating elephants but also about raising awareness on elephant conservation, particularly in light of Nepal’s ongoing efforts to protect wildlife and encourage sustainable tourism practices.

For foreign tourists, particularly those from Europe, the US, China, and India, the festival provided an exceptional opportunity to experience Nepalese culture and wildlife in an intimate setting. Visitors were able to closely observe elephant behaviors, participate in feeding activities, and enjoy the beautiful setting of Chitwan, known for its biodiversity and natural beauty. The event was also an important reminder of the close relationship between wildlife conservation and the promotion of tourism in rural areas.

In addition to the numerous tourists, locals from the Sauraha region and beyond were thrilled to witness this spectacle. The annual event, which has become one of the most awaited cultural festivals in Nepal, has been praised for its contribution to both local tourism and global awareness about wildlife conservation issues in the region.

The festival concluded with a sense of accomplishment, as it not only brought together people from different cultures but also played a vital role in promoting the importance of elephants in the local economy and cultural identity. It also served as an example of how wildlife tourism can be both fun and educational, and how it can bring about a positive impact on conservation efforts.

As Nepal’s tourism industry continues to recover and grow, events like the Chitwan Elephant and Tourism Festival are proving to be critical in attracting visitors while celebrating the country’s rich cultural and natural heritage. The success of this year’s festival promises an even bigger turnout in the future, further cementing Sauraha and Chitwan as key destinations on Nepal’s tourism map.

The 19th Chitwan Elephant and Tourism Festival, which attracted elephants, tourists, and conservationists alike, has successfully blended culture and wildlife education, and stands as a testament to Nepal’s potential as a leading tourism destination in Asia.