Nepal Festival Melbourne 2025: ANMC Proudly Highlights Nepali Heritage
On 15th March 2025, Federation Square came alive with the vibrant sights and sounds of Nepali culture during the Nepal Festival Melbourne 2025. Proudly organised by the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA), Victoria State Coordination Committee, the festival attracted thousands of visitors, showcasing the richness of Nepali culture through displays, performances, and community activities.
Established in 2014, the Australian Nepalese Multicultural Center (ANMC) has continuously aimed at preserving and promoting Nepali culture and heritage in Australia. This year, ANMC proudly led the festival’s cultural display and decoration, significantly contributing to the festival’s overall success and cultural authenticity.
ANMC’s cultural display included two major attractions—Bibaha Mandap and Nepal House—both of which captivated festival attendees.
Bibaha Mandap featured a life-sized traditional Nepali wedding pavilion, providing visitors an authentic glimpse into Nepali marriage customs and rituals. According to Narayan Dahal, the Bibaha Mandap received enthusiastic praise from visitors who admired the traditional aesthetics and educational insights.
Nepal House was the festival’s centerpiece, drawing crowds eager to explore Nepali culture deeply. The main highlight was the magnificent, large-sized replica of Janaki Temple from Janakpur, constructed meticulously by Narayan Kandel. Expressing his joy and honour, Kandel said, “I’m very happy and honoured to showcase the temple, and it is gratifying to see visitors appreciating our team’s hard work.”
Within Nepal House, visitors discovered diverse displays such as the vibrant portrayal of Ropai (traditional rice planting), the Lord Buddha statue, historical exhibits on the bravery of Gurkhas, authentic Nepali musical instruments, traditional Nepali items, paintings, and information highlighting unique tourism destinations in Nepal.
Dr Tilak Pokharel, President of ANMC, expressed immense delight in ANMC’s leadership role in the festival’s cultural decoration and displays. Dr Pokharel noted, “The Janaki Temple became the most photographed spot during the Nepal Festival and attracted significant media attention. Visitors overwhelmingly praised ANMC’s dedication and creativity.”
Prativa Shaha shared her thoughts, saying, “Cultural display has been one of the main objectives of the Nepal Festival, and it feels good to showcase our culture to those genuinely interested.”
The success of Nepal Festival Melbourne 2025 not only celebrated Nepali traditions but also reinforced the ANMC’s mission of cultural preservation and education in Australia. ANMC remains committed to continuing these efforts, building stronger connections within the multicultural tapestry of Victoria.
