Kathmandu, Feb. 14: Saint Valentine’s Day is celebrated on February 14 every year all over the world.  Valentine’s Day has become popular among the youth in recent years even though it is not a common festival in Nepal. 

People of the young generation, especially in the urban and city areas, celebrate it with much fanfare.    Although Valentine’s Day is not a part of Nepali culture, it has become a highly anticipated event not just for teenagers but also for the older generations.  

Before Valentine’s Day, there is a practice of marking the seven days of the week with different names – Rose Day, Propose Day, Chocolate Day, Teddy Day, Promise Day, Hug Day and Kiss Day.  Shops, restaurants and clubs have managed special offers and discounts for couples willing to celebrate Valentine’s Day.

Sales of roses have soared at several flower shops in the Kathmandu Valley and other cities of the nation after Valentine’s Week began on Wednesday with Rose Day. 

Targeting Valentine’s Week, the Floricultural Association Nepal (FAN) has imported 315,000 stems of roses from India. The demand for and import of roses are higher ahead of Valentine’s Day than at other times. It is assumed that roses worth Rs. 350 million are transacted during Valentine’s Week, FAN said.  

Valentine’s  Day this year coincided with the day of Shree Panchami.