International Everest Day is marked on May 29 in honour of the remarkable achievement of Edmund Hillary from New Zealand and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa from Nepal. The two battled ice and storms to reach the pinnacle of the highest mountain on the earth on May 29, 1953 and became the first people to do so.

International Everest Day was established in 2008, the year when Edmund Hillary died. The Nepal government designated May 29 as International Everest Day to highlight the momentous achievement of the climber.

Mount Everest is situated within the Mahalangur Himal sub-range, which is a prominent section of the Himalayas. Mount Everest is also located on the border between Nepal and China allowing mountaineers to climb from either side.

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The celebration of International Everest Day holds great importance in promoting Nepal's mountain tourism. The participants of this event encompass ministers, climbers, tourism entrepreneurs, and government officials. The day is marked with memorial gatherings, processions, and special festivities held in both Kathmandu and the Everest region.

Edmund Hillary

Edmund Hillary, a beekeeper from New Zealand, partnered with Norgay on a 1951 expedition to Everest. Following his triumphant ascent to the summit, Hillary embarked on numerous thrilling expeditions, venturing to both the north and south poles.

Hillary was made the New Zealand High Commissioner to India in 1984. He wholeheartedly championed conservation efforts and public service until his demise in January 2008 at the age of 88.

Tenzing Norgay Sherpa

Tenzing Norgay grew up in the village of Thame in Nepal. He received the name Tenzing which means fortunate from a high lama. Initially, he worked as a porter on various Everest expeditions during the 1930s and made multiple attempts to reach the summit starting in 1947.

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Finally, at the age of 39, Norgay successfully reached the peak, earning widespread admiration and becoming a revered figure in Nepal and India, where he lived until his demise in 1986. Although he did not make another ascent to the summit, his son, Jamling Tenzing Norgay, followed in his esteemed footsteps and accomplished the feat in 1996.

(Edited by : Sudarsanan Mani)