The Nepal Weekly 
August 6, 2024
Carfree Saturday in Hadigaun is a community-driven initiative aimed at transforming the streets into vibrant, pedestrian-friendly places every week. The concept is simple but powerful. Vehicles pass through the streets are temporarily closed for around a half day, allowing residents good space for walking, cycling, socializing and community activities. The carefree time also offers kids for play1ing in the streets.
Thus, one can experience Hadigaun where families stroll, and neighbours engage in conversations, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of a bygone era when communities thrived on interpersonal connections. The occasions feature food stalls, handicraft shops, and stages for local and cultural dances in the designed area. Visitors can be happy with traditional pottery classes, enjoy live performances, and explore a variety of handmade crafts and culinary delights. This initiative not only reduces traffic and pollution but also fosters community spirit, supports local artisans, and celebrates the rich cultural heritage of the area.
Visitors can be a part of this enchanting initiative that promotes community engagement, sustainability, and healthier lifestyles while reclaiming the streets for the people. In other words, this can be called serving a model for creating more liveable, vibrant, and inclusive cities. It is experiencing social life of the Kathmandu Valley which has been in practice in the past, at least beyond fifty years from now.
This practice was brought into effect on the occasion of World Carfree Day on September 22 last year, the neighbourhood of Hadigaun in Kathmandu carried out its first collective effort to create a Carfree neighbourhood. The programme was led by the Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Hadigaun Ward 5 and most importantly the community enthusiasm. Residents actively participate in organizing activities, contributing ideas and volunteering their time.
The idea was conceptualized and supported by Digo Bikas Institute (DBI) and Environment and Public Health Organisation (ENPHO). DBI has been a part of the process since its initial consultation with the municipal officials and community members. DBI orchestrated a series of engaging activities designed to raise a sense of community responsibility. This undertaking is a part of the long term vision to revitalize the historic capital of ancient Nepal by making it a permanent carfree zone.
Workshops and awareness programmes played a crucial role in educating residents about sustainable practices. Experts and local environmentalists were invited to share insights on reducing carbon footprints, and the importance of green spaces. The community actively participated in discussions, demonstrating a keen interest in adopting eco-friendly habits.
In this way, the participating adults and grandparents booked a ride on a time machine! They emerged as children jumping and running in the street, giggling and laughing while they celebrated the freedom of movement with the children and youth of the neighbourhood. The area came alive with people from all walks of life who thronged to the street to be joyful participants of the transformation all around them.
Hadigaun is a small settlement inside Kathmandu city, which is home to the Newar community mainly.
The surviving cultural heritage of Hadigaun is surprisingly extensive, much like its long and rich historicity with a pre-Lichchhavi progeny proven to date as far back as 1st century BC. Now largely Ward No. 5 of Kathmandu Metropolis, Hadigaun, located at the geometric centre of Kathmandu valley, was the capital town of the ancient Lichchhavi Nepal. The Lichchhavi, ruled Nepal from first century A.D. and called their capital, Vishalnagar after Vishal, the first king in their own classical dynastic history. The name Hadigaun remember an even older past as in Kirat days it was vibrant place called Andipringa. With the host of sculptural images, temples, inscriptions, satah, dabooi and other heritage such as festivals, food and other expressions of life and living.
Moreover, the Kathmandu Valley is famous for its unique cultural activities including Jatras and festivals where the Newars are the ethnicities who are successfully leading every Jatras since the historical period. Among all the Jatras the Kathmandu Valley, Hadigaun Jatra is one of the popular and joyful ones. So, it is popularly known as ‘kahinna bhayeko Jatra Hadigaun ma,’ which means ‘festival that happens only in Hadigaun.’ The Hadigaun ko Jatra can be witnessed only in its season and schedule. But rich culture of Hadigaun can be experienced on every Saturday after noon.
