Everest Day (Sagarmatha Diwas) being observed today

Kathmandu -Everest Day (Sagarmatha Diwas) is being observed across the nation on May 29.

The day commemorates the first-ever summit of the highest peak of the world- Mt Everest (8848.86m) by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa on May 29, 1953.

It may be recalled that the Nepal government had decided to observe the Everest Day worldwide since 2008.

Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) on this occasion has also organized virtual programs to mark this international day among the mountaineers (both domestic and foreigners) in order to reflect their respective experiences of mountaineering and ascent on the highest summit.

The day is celebrated with commemorative functions, processions, and special events in Kathmandu and the Sagarmatha region. However, COVID-19 pandemic has adversely affected the celebration of the Everest Day.

As many as 12,000 mountaineers have ascended Mt. Everest since the opening up of its climbing.