GORKHA, Sept 28: The seventh edition of Lig-lige Daud, a road race commemorating the ancient tradition of choosing king in Gorkha, is set to be held on October 7 this year in Lig-lig Kot, Gorkha. The winner of the race will be handed a crown along with Rs 50,505, according to the organizer.
Before 1616 BS, the historic Lig-lige Daud used to be organized each year to select a king at Lig-lig Kot, Gorkha. But the tradition of choosing the winner of the race as the king came to a halt after Drabya Shah took over Ligligkot.
In the modern era, this race is organized every year on the occasion of Bijaya Dashami. The participants run 13 km starting from the confluence of Chepe and Marsyangdi rivers to the Lig-lig Kot. The winner of the race will be awarded with a crown. Similarly, a five km race for locals and a five km race for women will also be organized on the same occasion.
Organizing a press conference in Gorkha district headquarters, the organizer Lig Lig Kot Bikash Abhiyan informed that the first and second runner-up of the race will bag purse of Rs 30,305 and 20,205 respectively. Similarly, the participants securing fourth to seventh positions will be given Rs 10,105, Rs 5,005, Rs 3,005 and Rs 2,005 respectively.
The race is organized with a view to preserve the ancient culture of Lig-Lig Kot Gorkha and also to promote and develop Lig-lig Kot and its surrounding areas, according to Purna Bahadur Rana, the president of Lig Lig Kot Bikash Abhiyan.
The registration fee for male and female participants are fixed at Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 respectively while foreign participants will have to pay Rs 5,000.
The expected cost of the event is Rs 1.4 million out of which Nepal Toursim Board will provide Rs 500,000.