KATHMANDU, Sept 21: Banks and financial institutions have started providing new bank notes starting Monday.

Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has stated that necessary arrangements have been made for the distribution of the crispy paper money as it goes into high demand during the Dashain festival when new banknotes are given as gifts.

According to the central bank's Note Management Department, the notes exchange facilities have been set up in the Kathmandu Valley at the designated branch offices of licensed commercial banks from Monday.

Last year, NRB did not distribute new notes for the festival due to the high threat of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Usually, NRB issues the money only after Ghatasthapana, the first day of the great festival of Hindus every year. This year, it began distributing the currency almost two weeks earlier to minimize the crowd amid the ongoing threat of the pandemic. 

Here are some pictures taken by Republica Photojournalist Monika Malla at Kathmandu on Tuesday: 

 
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