If you are a Nepali, add another list on your things to be proud of: Nepal Owl Festival. Yup, Owl festivals are held every year in Nepal by Friends of Nature (FON) and there are only three nations in this whole wide world that hold one.

Every year mostly on the month of February, owls are celebrated for their ecological and cultural importance through different activities in rural locations far from your usual hustle and bustle of urban life. A unique combination of culture and science takes place. Whole community involves itself in an extraordinary event to salute the bird of prey.

Venues for Nepal Owl festivals are chosen carefully keeping two things in mind: one, to promote eco-tourism, especially home-stays and another, accessibility for the visitors. It would be great if Owl festivals could be held in my Khotang but it is rather impractical for visitors.

Communities present their culture. Traditional dance and folk tunes make the atmosphere musical. Poem and art competition on owls are held at school levels as well.

Old long-forgotten games are played once again that many youths have no clue about. Last year’s Jhijhile khel was pretending to be a mother hen and a Golden Jackal. As a mother hen, you had to protect your clutch that were right beside you in a train formation. These games are great to watch because these are very endemic to that place and community. You might never get another chance to see it again.

A temporary owl museum is open for everyone to see for two days. The museum houses taxidermy of owls and its prey, robot owl, owl call device, research equipment used for owl research, owl arts and curios and lots more. Short documentaries about owls are shown late in the evenings.

You can have your face painted as owl, nails done as owl and have your photo taken as owl. Asia’s largest owl mascot is displayed during the event as well. Everything is Owly during the Nepal Owl Festival.

If you are a birder, you can take part in Birdwatching contest (as ahem… ahem… the second-best birder of last year, I have to say it is tough). Don’t worry if you don’t know that many birds, there is guided birdwatching tour as well. If you love taking photos, there will be nature photo-walks. There is something for everyone in Nepal Owl Festival.

In a single breeding season, a family of owls can hunt up to 3,000 rats and mice. In nature, every organism has a role. The role of owls is that of a predator, to check the population of rodents. Owls are facing serious threat in Nepal due to superstitions and trafficking. Many myths about owls that defy common sense are prevalent. Such as owl stare can explode torches (because owls have got laser in their eyes). Raw rice gets cooked when kept under its wings (because owls are rice cooker).

Owls with their bright eyes, earlike tufts (in some owls), and amazing night flying skills certainly give mystical vibe. But owls being used for traditional healing and spiritual rituals is like asking a smart policeman/woman to do a doctor’s job just because he/she looks smart. If you want a bridge between the living and spirit world, search for a kid named Aang.

This year’s Nepal Owl Festival is being held in Jagadishpur in Kapilvastu in February 3-4. Bring all your family and friends. Get OWLY this year.

There is a special offer for this owl festival. If you come to Nepal Owl Festival this year and accidentally recognize me, just poke me and say “I came to this owl festival because of you” and you will get a free hug.

If you have anything that looks even vaguely like an owl and you want to donate it to Nepal Owl festival, please contact Friends of Nature at http://www.facebook.com/groups/fonnepal/

Go to this blog for more on Nepal Owl festival held in Sikles (2016) https://aolraj.wordpress.com/2016/03/06/owl-fest/