Anamnagar, Kathmandu, Bagmati Province, Nepal
About Cultural Emissary for Rainbow Tourism in Nepal
Sunil Babu Pant
Cultural Emissary for Inclusive (Pink/Rainbow/LGBT+) Tourism in Nepal;
Executive Director, Mayako Pahichan Nepal, Mayakopahichan.com
Film Maker, Meditation Guide, First openly gay member of Parliament in Asia from Nepal. Founder of Blue Diamond society, first lgbitq rights organisation in Nepal.
Former Buddhist Monk
(Spiritual name: Anaagarik Kashyap)
Rainbow Calendar for Nepal, May 2024-April 2025
Introducing the Rainbow Calendar for Nepal, brimming with festivals, entertainment events, pride celebrations, music, dance, sports, excursions, art, theater, food, and tantric/spiritual retreats where Sexual and Gender Minorities (SGM, LGBTI, Queer) can express themselves with joy and pride. These events aim to foster visibility, increase acceptance, and integrate SGM communities into broader society. Additionally, we endeavor to promote Rainbow Tourism in Nepal through these vibrant gatherings.
Some of these events have ancient roots, where gender diverse expressions have long been celebrated, such as GaiJatra, RopinJatra (Rice Planting Festivals), Marinai Dance, etc., where individuals born male express themselves in feminine attire and vice versa.
Mit/Mitini relationship formation is an ancient ritual where two non-blood same-gender couples establish a bond that transcends all boundaries, laws, and constraints, rooted in unconditional love, devotion, care, and benevolent friendship between these individuals. Two men are referred to as Mit, and two women as Mitini, who form such relationships. Divorce is not recognized in this bond, which unites not only the two individuals but also their families, neighborhoods, and villages, fostering unconditional acceptance. These relationships typically form between individuals of the same gender who share similar traits, habits, hobbies, thought patterns, and age, irrespective of their sexual orientation.
While North America and Western Europe celebrate June as Pride Month, primarily due to the favorable weather during that time out there. In Nepal, we mark June as a historic month to acknowledge the Stonewall Uprising. However, our festivals and Pride Month is October, a time when both the weather and social mood are much more favorable in our region.
Mark your calendars, we extend our invitation to join the festivities and show your solidarity. And perhaps you can take a Mit/Mitini vow in Nepal or find one in Nepal.
Event Dates
May 1st: Labor Day Marking: Workplace justice for SGM/LGBTI!
May 17th: IDAHOT Marking
June 1st: Rainbow Flag Raising and Tantra Heritage Evening Walk, Party
June 2nd- 13th: Various delegations and meeting with government and parliamentary departments
June 14th: Ancient Rainbow Stories
June 23rd: Rainbow Theater
June 29th: Rice Planting Festival (Dahi Chiura Day)
July 2nd: Yogini, Dakini Festival
July 3rd- 7th: Rainy season Tantra Energy Healing Meditation Retreat
July 11th: World Population Day Marking: Count Us!
July 30th: Rice Pudding Day (Picnic in the Rain)
August 2nd: Ghantakarna Chaturthi (Lakhe, Khyaa Festival)
August 20th: Gai Jatra
September 19th: Constitution Day
October 17th- 31st: Asian Rainbow Festivals/Pride Month (Dashain and Tihar)
October 17th: Asian Rainbow Festival opening
October 18th: Rainbow Traditional festival (Dhaami Day/ Maruni, Lakhe Dance)
October 19th: Mit / Mitini Vow Taking day
October 20th: Rainbow Sport Festival
October 21st- 24th: Tantra Tour, Rainbow hiking, Picnic, etc.
October 25th: International Beauty Pageant for Non-binary/ThirdGender/Hijaras/Kathoi/Sbhairini/Nastri/Napumshak/Two Spirited
October 26th and 27th: Rainbow Film Festival
October 30th: Asian/International SOGI Conference
October 31st: Rainbow Diwali Festival celebration and Party
November (5 days): Winter Tantra Energy Healing Meditation Retreat
December 3rd: Rainbow Disability Day Marking - December 3rd
December 10th: Human Rights Day - December 10th
December 15th: Yomari/ Udhauli Purnima - December 15th
December 25th: LGBTI Victory Day Celebration (Sunil B Pant Vs Nepal Govt Landmark case 21 Dec 2007)
January 1st: English New Year
January14th: Maghi
Feburary 26th: Mahashivaratri Celebration and Party
March 10th: Mit/Mitini Vow Day
March 11th: 2nd Rainbow Tourism International Conference
March 12th: Mr. Gay Nepal 2025
March 13th: Fagu / Holi
March 14th: Nepali New Year Celebration
April 26th: Nepal Rainbow Business Forum
First Rainbow Tourism International Conference in Nepal,
20-21 April 2024
For more information and registration please click the link:
How to make your business Rainbow/LGBT Friendly
Creating a Rainbow/LGBT-friendly business involves fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment
A half day long training workshops for businesses (staff and management of hotels, resorts, retreat centres, guest houses, travel agents, trekking agencies, and so on..) will help you begin your business to become LGBT inclusive and friendly.
Time table: starting at 9 am and finishing with lunch time or starting at lunch time and finishing at 4 pm
Topics covered:
1. Educate Yourself and Your Team:
- Learn about different sexual orientations and gender identities.
- Understand the challenges and experiences faced by the LGBT community.
2. Implement Nondiscrimination Policies:
3. Provide Diversity and Inclusion Training
4. Create Inclusive Benefits:
5. Support LGBT Employee Resource Groups:
6. Promote Inclusive Language:
7. Celebrate LGBT Events:
8. Display Inclusive Symbols:
9. Offer Inclusive Restrooms:
10. Address Bullying and Harassment:
11. Support LGBT-Owned Businesses/organisations:
12. Review Marketing and Advertising:
13. Engage with the Community:
14. Regularly Assess and Improve:
Remember, creating an inclusive environment is an ongoing process that requires commitment and consistent effort. It's important to listen to feedback, learn from experiences, and adapt your policies and practices accordingly.
Tariff: rate depends upon the group size and business nature, please contact for details (part of the fund goes to LGBT groups )
Tantra Heritage Workshop
Exploring the World with Cultural Emissary for Rainbow Tourism in Nepal
Explore the rich history and culture of Kathmandu through thousands of temples, structures, and symbolic motifs surrounding the famed 'Durbar Squares.' Delve into a historical era when wise women ruled, and diverse communities coexisted harmoniously through Tantric and spiritual practices. Uncover rewritten histories, invaded by patriarchy, overshadowing matriarchal norms, leaving Nepal's population unaware of its forgotten past.
Join us for a transformative experience:
Itinerary:
- • *8:00 am:* Breakfast
- • *9:00 am - 12:00 pm:* Introduction to Tantra: culture, philosophy, symbols, rituals, festivals, goddesses, and deities.
- • *12:00 pm - 1:00 pm:* Lunch
- • *1:00 pm - 4:00 pm:* Tantra Heritage Tour
- • *4:00 pm - 5:00 pm:* Reflection and closing with tea.
Tariff:
- Contact for pricing (part of the fund goes to preserve matriarchal/lgbt heritage sites )
- Embark on a journey of self-discovery and cultural immersion with the Tantra Heritage Workshop, where ancient traditions come alive in the heart of Kathmandu.
Tantra Heritage Tour
Join our three-hour heritage walk every Saturday and Sunday, beginning at 10 am near Hotel Aloft in Thamel. Anaagarik Kahsyap leads the group through Basantapur and bazaar lanes, providing insights into tantric sculptures and temples. The tour concludes at 1 pm in Thamel, followed by a two-hour interaction with Tantric lunch.
Itinerary:
- • *10:00 am:* Meet at Hotel Aloft in Thamel
- • *10:15 am - 1:00 pm:* Explore Kathmandu's historic sites
- • *1:00 pm:* Conclusion in Thamel
- • *1:00 pm - 3:00 pm:* Interaction with Tantric lunch
- Tariff:
- Contact for the price (part of the fund goes to preserve matriarchal/lgbt heritage sites)
- Embark on a journey to rediscover Nepal's hidden heritage and traditions with Tantra Heritage Tour.
Tantra Energy Healing Meditation Retreat
Program Details:
Realizing Nirvana (ultimate liberation) is a long-term goal. No matter how distant the destination, one must start with the first step on the path. This retreat serves as the first step for many towards the destination, which is freedom from suffering and inner peace. Participants will gain an understanding of the path and learn how to progress on it.
This retreat doesn't promise instant bliss or supernatural experiences. Instead, it helps you understand your true nature of mind and recognize your habitual, involuntary reactions to events and phenomena. These reactions, often rooted in cravings or aversions, lead to suffering and instability. The retreat guides you in remaining equanimous towards these feelings and experiences by working directly on your energy. This process leads to inner peace and mental stability. You'll also learn techniques to handle life's changes and cultivate wholesome habits.
Two Aims of the Retreat:
- Preventing the accumulation of new sankharas (involuntary mental reactions).
- Releasing old accumulated sankharas and unblocking energy.
Focus of the Retreat:
- Energy reorientation.
- Tools for balancing your being.
- Cleansing your being and starting fresh.
- Learning to experience the moment-to-moment truth.
- Accelerating your awakening through Tantra techniques
Day 0:
- Arrival and check-in
- 2-3 pm Registration
- 3:30 PM Tea
- 4:30 PM : Welcome, ground rules, and formal initiation for Tantra Technique. 15 minutes of anapana (mindful breathing) meditation and body scanning. Noble Silence begins
- 5:00 PM : Explanation on how sankharas accumulate and how to prevent and eradicate them
- 6:30 PM : Learning: Tantra Stretching and Tantra Walking (Spine stretching and walking meditation)
- 7:00 PM : Dinner
- 8:00 PM : Sitting meditation and Metta (loving-kindness practice)
- 8:30 PM : Retire
Days 1-3:
- 6:00 am : Wake-up call
- 7:00 am : Tantric Breathing, Anapana for 15 minutes, Sun Salutation
- 8-9 am. : Tantric Breakfast
- 9 am : Tantric Breathing and sitting meditation
- 10 am. : Tantra Stretching and walking meditation
- 11 am. : Work on Tantra, Energy in the experiences and reactions
- 12:30-1:30 : Lunch (Tantric eating: identifying Dhatus, the basic elements)
- 1:30-3:00 : Tantric Rest and free time, Personal meeting with Bhante-Anaagarik
- 3:00 : Tantric Breathing Anapana and sitting meditation
- 4-5 : Tantric Tea
- 5 PM : Tantric Stretching and Walking
- 6 pm : Dinner (Tantric eating, identifying dhatus)
- 7 pm : Annapana and Vipassana meditation
- 8 pm : Dhamma talk, Q&A, Metta
- 8:45 : Retire
Day 4:
- 6:00 am : Wake-up call
- 7:00 am : Tantric Breathing, Anapana and sitting meditation, Sun Salutation, Walking meditation
- 8-9 am : Tantric Breakfast
- 9 am : Free time, Tantric chatting, sharing, gossiping
- 10 am : Closing session and Metta
- Retreat ends
- Check-out
Note:
- Noble Silence means no communication verbally, in writing, signs, or gestures with other retreatants except for discussions with Anaagarik Kashyap on techniques.
Tariff: Depends upon the types of resort and travel modes, please contact for details .
About Anaagarik Kashyap:
- Modern yogi practicing Vipassana meditation for more than 25 years
- Teaches Tantra (energy) healing meditation inspired by matriarchal spiritual traditions
- Studies the tantric heritage of Nepal
- Founder of the Blue Diamond Society
- Elected as an openly gay member of the Parliament of Nepal from 2008-12
Esteemed Roles
As the First Cultural Emissary, Appointed by Nepal Tourism Board: Nurturing Inclusive Tourism
Navigating Crisis and Emergency Situations:
In times of crisis, such as natural disasters or unforeseen events, I step into a pivotal role as a reliable point of contact for both locals and tourists. Providing support, information, and assistance during emergencies, I am dedicated to ensuring the safety and well-being of visitors. My presence and guidance serve to alleviate panic and uncertainty, highlighting Nepal's resilience and unwavering commitment to visitor welfare.
Fostering Relationships and Partnerships:
Collaboration is key, and as a Cultural Emissary, I work closely with local Rainbow or Rainbow-Friendly businesses, tourism and hospitality organizations, and stakeholders to develop meaningful partnerships and spearhead innovative Rainbow tourism initiatives. Attending industry events, trade, and international 🌈 Tourism conferences, I engage with travel professionals, seeking opportunities to attract new visitors, establish Nepal as an emerging Rainbow/Pink/LGBT tourism destination, and foster the sustainable growth of Nepal's tourism sector. Through these alliances, I aim to contribute to the overall development of our destination's tourism industry. I will also assist Travel and Hospitality private sectors in becoming Rainbow-Friendly. I will evaluate businesses in terms of their Rainbow friendliness and aid them in improving their ratings, implementing non-discrimination policies, and training their staff on how to cater to LGBT tourists.
Championing Sustainable Tourism:
I consider it paramount to promote sustainable tourism practices. Educating visitors on responsible behaviors, such as respecting local customs, conserving natural resources, and minimizing environmental impact, is an integral part of my mission. By raising awareness and advocating for sustainable practices, I actively contribute to the preservation of Nepal's natural and cultural heritage.
Conducting Enriching Tours and Interpretation:
To add a personal touch, I conduct Tantra Heritage guided tours for both individuals and larger groups, sharing my extensive knowledge about Nepal's history, culture, symbolisms, festivals, rituals, lifestyles, food, and languages, as well as architectural marvels, rich traditions, and local narratives through Tantric (Matriarchal) Perspectives. By imparting personalized insights, I strive to bring our destination to life, creating memorable and immersive experiences that linger in the hearts of tourists.
Assisting and Guiding with Warmth:
Here, I extend a welcoming hand, providing information, guidance, and personalized recommendations. From suggesting must-visit attractions to offering seamless directions, my aim is to ensure that every traveler enjoys a seamless and delightful experience throughout their stay without concern or fear of being different.
Representing the Vibrant Destination:
In my capacity as the inaugural Cultural Emissary for Rainbow Tourism in Nepal, my primary duty is to personify and advocate for the beauty and richness of our destination to visitors. Serving as the spokesperson for rainbow/pink/LGBT tourism aspects of Nepal, I passionately share profound insights into our local culture, captivating attractions, historical significance, and the unique facets that distinguish Nepal as an exploration-worthy haven. Engaging in public speaking, media interviews, and dynamic social media campaigns, I am devoted to showcasing the unparalleled Tantric-Matriarchal, Third gender, Queer, and LGBT features that make Nepal shine as a mystical and welcoming destination.
In Conclusion:
As the Cultural Emissary for Rainbow Tourism Nepal, I acknowledge the profound responsibility entrusted to me. This role extends beyond mere representation; it is a commitment to inspire, enhance, and contribute to the sustainable growth of tourism. Embracing my position as a cultural ambassador, I aspire to bridge gender, sexuality, and cultural gaps, fostering positive relationships that leave a lasting impact on every tourist. My goal is to ensure that each visitor departs with cherished memories and a sincere desire to return. Let us join hands in celebrating Nepal as an inclusive and radiant destination on the global tourism stage.