Topi Diwas

Nepali Topi Diwas (Nepali: नेपाली टोपी दिवस) is an annual event celebrated on January 1 to honor and promote the cultural heritage of Nepal. According to Online Khabar (2025), the event was initiated in 2014 (2070 B.S.) by Jagaran Yuwa Abhiyan Nepal to highlight traditional Nepali attire, particularly the Dhaka topi and Bhadgaunle topi, as symbols of national identity (Online Khabar, 2025).
The inaugural Nepali Topi Diwas was celebrated exclusively on social media platforms. This year marked the initiation of the campaign by Jagaruk Yuwa Abhiyan Nepal to revive and promote the Nepali Topi as a symbol of cultural identity. The focus was on raising awareness and encouraging Nepali youth to embrace their traditional attire through online engagement.
Building upon the first year's momentum, the second Topi Diwas continued the social media-only approach. The campaign saw increased online participation, with more individuals sharing images and messages in support of the Nepali Topi. This year reinforced the importance of digital platforms in cultural preservation efforts.
Transitioning from a purely online celebration, the third Topi Diwas saw the first formal gathering organized by Jagaruk Yuwa Abhiyan Nepal at Maitighar Mandala, Kathmandu. Youth participants gathered wearing traditional Topis, and a morning parade (Prabhatferi) was conducted to physically showcase the cultural heritage. This event marked a significant shift towards in-person community engagement.
The fourth celebration expanded the event's reach by extending the parade route from Maitighar Mandala to New Baneshwor. This expansion facilitated greater participation from diverse communities within Kathmandu, fostering a sense of unity and shared cultural pride among the participants (Kendra Bindu, 2016).
Celebrations in the fifth year spread across various locations, including schools, clubs, and community centers. This wider participation underscored the campaign's success in embedding the Nepali Topi into different societal segments, promoting it as a staple of formal and cultural attire nationwide (Kendra Bindu, 2016).
The sixth Topi Diwas featured a significant morning parade, emphasizing the Nepali Topi's role as a national identity symbol. The event attracted a larger audience, with increased involvement from various age groups and communities, highlighting the Topi's enduring relevance in modern Nepali society.
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the seventh Topi Diwas adapted by shifting to virtual celebrations. Due to health restrictions, formal gatherings were limited to ensure safety. Jagaruk Yuwa Abhiyan Nepal conducted celebrations through online platforms, maintaining engagement while adhering to public health guidelines.
In 2021, the celebration included international participants, symbolizing the global Nepali diaspora's support for the campaign. The event held at Patan Durbar Area featured notable attendees, including American citizens, and emphasized the Nepali Topi's significance beyond national borders.
The ninth celebration continued to balance physical and virtual events, ensuring widespread participation despite ongoing pandemic challenges. Emphasis was placed on social media engagement to reach a broader audience, both within Nepal and internationally. Jagaruk Yuwa Abhiyan Nepal leveraged online platforms to sustain the campaign's momentum (Kendra Bindu, 2022).
As the campaign matured, the tenth Topi Diwas focused on sustained promotion through both online and selective physical gatherings. Jagaruk Yuwa Abhiyan Nepal adapted events to adhere to public health guidelines while maintaining active promotion of the Nepali Topi as a cultural identifier. This year also saw strengthened online campaigns to reach a wider audience (Setopati, 2023).
The eleventh Topi Diwas featured a prominent event in Basantapur, Kathmandu, with significant participation from cultural organizations and government sectors. Collaboration with Nepal's "Nepal Bhroman Barsha" (Nepal Tourism Year) campaign highlighted the Nepali Topi's role in promoting national identity and tourism. The event included formal programs and emphasized the Nepali Topi's importance as a cultural symbol.
The twelfth Topi Diwas continued formal celebrations in Basantapur, Kathmandu, with an expectation of enhanced recognition. The focus remained on expanding international awareness through robust social media strategies and collaborative events. Jagaruk Yuwa Abhiyan Nepal aimed to solidify the Nepali Topi's status as a global cultural symbol, fostering pride and identity among Nepali youth and the broader community.
Over the past twelve years, Jagaruk Yuwa Abhiyan Nepal has successfully transformed Nepali Topi Diwas from a social media initiative into a significant cultural event celebrated both nationally and internationally. Each year's celebration has built upon the previous ones, expanding participation, adapting to challenges like the pandemic, and reinforcing the Nepali Topi's role in preserving and promoting Nepal's rich cultural heritage. Through consistent efforts and strategic engagements, the campaign has fostered a renewed sense of pride and identity among Nepali youth and the broader community.