Kathmandu May 29:Sagarmatha (Mount Everest) Day is being celebrated in the country on May 29. The Day is being marked in memory of the first-ever summit of the highest peak of the world by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa on May 29, 1953. It may be noted that the Nepal government had decided to observe the Day worldwide since 2008. The day is celebrated with commemorative functions, processions, and special events in Kathmandu and the Sagarmatha region. However, COVID-19 pandemic has adversely affected the celebration and mountaineering to the highest peak. The government has closed climbing of the Mount Everest during this season due to the fear of infection outbreak. So far, approximately 12,000 summiteers have ascended Mt. Everest since the opening up of its climbing.