LGBTIQA+ Community Honors Disaster Victims and Deceased Members on Gaijatra with Lighting Ceremony and Disaster Relief Fund
29th August 2026, Kathmandu
Nepal’s Blue Diamond Society cancels its annual Pride Parade to hold a candle-lighting ceremony for flood victims and donate NPR 100,000 to disaster relief.
LGBTIQA+ Community Honors Disaster Victims
Demonstrating solidarity during a time of national tragedy, Nepal’s sexual and gender minority community observed the traditional festival of Gaijatra by holding a solemn candle-lighting ceremony in memory of deceased members and victims of the recent Bhote Koshi floods.
Rather than conducting their annual colorful parade, the Blue Diamond Society (BDS)—Nepal’s leading LGBTIQA+ rights organization—canceled its 14th Gaijatra Pride Parade to focus on national mourning, disaster relief, and remembrance.
A Shift from Celebration to Solace at Khullamanch
On Saturday, members of the LGBTIQA+ community gathered at Khullamanch, Kathmandu, to light lamps for community members lost over the past year and citizens who died in the catastrophic flooding.
Peter Rai, a representative of the Blue Diamond Society, explained the decision to pivot from the traditional festivities:
“We postponed our 14th Gaijatra Pride Parade to light lamps in memory of the departed and pray for the peace of their souls during this hour of grief.”
Historically, Gaijatra is a cultural festival in the Kathmandu Valley dedicated to commemorating relatives who passed away during the preceding year. For over a decade, Nepal’s LGBTIQA+ community has combined this tradition with Pride celebrations, using the festival as a space for visibility, advocacy, and remembrance.
Community Resilience and Support During Disaster
Speaking at the gathering, Bhumika Shrestha, a prominent LGBTIQA+ activist and lawmaker, emphasized the community’s obligation to support the nation during crises.
“With the nation reeling from severe natural disasters and many community members losing their lives, it is our duty to pay tribute by lighting candles. While many systemic issues and rights for our community still remain to be resolved, we hope this event gives everyone the strength to move forward.”
Umisha (Umesh) Pandey, President of the Blue Diamond Society, noted that the community lost 12 active members in the past year alone, with the recent floods adding to the tragedy.
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“Our country is grieving. Considering these devastating circumstances, we felt it was right to forgo the grand parade and simply light lamps to honor those we lost.”
NPR 100,000 Donation Announced for Prime Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund
Beyond the tribute, the Blue Diamond Society pledged concrete support to aid victims of the ongoing natural disaster across Nepal.
Manisha Dhakal, Executive Director of the Blue Diamond Society, announced that the organization will donate NPR 100,000 to the Prime Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund.
“Because of the national crisis, we could not celebrate Gaijatra Pride with joy this year,” Dhakal stated. “Instead, we chose to honor our lost members by standing with the nation—lighting lamps for their souls and contributing directly to state relief efforts.”
Key Takeaways
Event: LGBTIQA+ Gaijatra Remembrance & Candle-Lighting Ceremony
Organizer: Blue Diamond Society (BDS)
Location: Khullamanch, Kathmandu, Nepal
Key Announcement: NPR 100,000 donation to the Prime Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund
Reason for Parade Cancellation: Mourning victims of the Bhote Koshi floods and recent disasters nationwide
