Preparation is underway for the Khichara festival that is set to take place at Gaucharan in Khairahani Municipality, Chitwan, from 12 to 21. The festival is being organised on the occasion of the Maghi, the biggest festival of the Tharu community. Coordinator of the organising committee Chudamani Chaudhary said programmes promoting the Tharu culture would be focused during the festival. Various food items would be prepared and served; mini museum set up; recreational activities conducted and cultural pageants held during the festival, said an official of the organising committee. (RSS)