After attending the marvellous WordCamp Asia in Philippines earlier this year, I honestly had no plans. That experience felt like a peak—and I was happy just soaking in its afterglow. Soon after came our WordPress Women’s Day event, followed by the WP Build Tour. I was caught in the rhythm of work and community efforts, and somewhere in between, I wrote about what community support means to me.
How WordPress Community Helps You: Scholarships, Grants & Support Programs
Out of nowhere, I heard whispers of WordCamp Pokhara (WCPokhara) 2025. And just like that, something stirred again. I had no plans—but this one felt like it had plans for me.
This marked my second international trip, right after WordCamp Asia, and what a ride it was! Hosted in the breathtaking lakeside city of Pokhara, Nepal—it didn’t feel like a formal event trip. It felt like a reunion of kindred spirits.
What Am I Doing Here?
Yes, that was literally the title of my talk.
As someone who calls herself a product of the WordPress community but ultimately I am an outsider in a community that’s primarily tech-driven, I felt a strong urge to voice that duality which comes both with its pros and cons. So when I had the privilege of being at both sides, why not support individuals who are in the midst too? My session was in the Macchapucchre hall at Pokhara Event Centre (remember the name till the end of this article!)*
I spoke about community, support, diversity, inclusion, and the unseen ways the community shapes us. It’s not just about us giving back—it’s also about acknowledging how much we’ve received. I also shared what we’ve been doing in the WordPress Bhopal community—because I believe growing a local community is directly tied to the broader mission of societal growth.
Many thanks to Yoast for generously supporting my journey to WCPokhara via its Yoast Diversity Fund.
Contributor Day — Where It Begins
Ever since I landed, I found myself looking for that sense of community everywhere but nah, not in my charts till the Camp. Day 1 kicked off with Contributor Day, buzzing with energy. I joined the Patterns team, and, like always, it felt grounding to sit across from passionate strangers-turned-collaborators and contribute to something bigger than ourselves. There also was a WordPress Basics workshop arranged, an energizing space for newcomers to begin their journey. Pretty thoughtful of the organisers in their scheme to build the next gen, it’s like acknowledging the younger population particularly and working for their need.
The numbers speak for themselves—678+ attendees, 35% women participation, and a speaker lineup filled mostly with women. We’re building a future that’s inclusive by default, and seeing it unfold in real-time was powerful.
What is worth mentioning? The students. So many of them! Curious minds, high on energy, and wide-eyed excitement. That is what community-building is—bridging the gap between where we are and where they want to go. WordPress gave us a platform; WordCamps like Pokhara make sure we pay it forward.
Faces Behind the Moments
WordPress events are rightly known for its networking opportunities, no doubt about it. Meeting Mumtahina Faguni and her lovely family, being introduced to Alina Kakshapati, crossing paths with Jyoti, Sapana, Prabeen, Regan, Utsav Dai, Ayush, Manjil, Sushant and so many more—each connection added a story to my journey. I clicked with Jyoti instantly, what started as a girls’ girl thing, led us to creating joyful nuisance as if we’d been best of friends for years— wonderwoman!
A long-overdue in-person meeting with Yam Chettri, who once mentored us at WP Bhopal, finally happened. And thanks to Subash Dai, I got a beautiful glimpse into his village and the landscapes beyond the Camp.
Everyone I met was so cordial, kind, and full of cheer, this is what makes WordPress more than software. It’s a movement.
Beyond the Camp
This was my first visit to Nepal, and I had the chance to explore both Kathmandu and Pokhara—each with its own flavour and stories.
We visited iconic places like Pashupatinath Temple, Swayambhunath Stupa, Boudhanath, Fewa Lake, Devi’s Fall, and a very cloudy Sunrise Point in Pokhara (sadly, no sunrise or peek of the mountain, just dramatic clouds!). Special mention to their cars!
While Pashupatinath is a marvel in scale and significance, I couldn’t help but feel a bit disappointed by its lack of upkeep. A site so historically rich and spiritually revered deserves more thoughtful maintenance. The contrast between its grandeur and the surrounding neglect was hard to ignore. It made me think about how we sometimes take our own heritage for granted, something I hope changes with time and awareness.
I also tried finding a Jain temple, there was only one in Kathmandu and none in Pokhara. I visited the one in Kathmandu during a layover, it was a two-storey building, housing both Digambar and Shwetambar shrines, one above the other. Simple, quiet, and tucked away.
Being a pure vegetarian, food was another small challenge. Compared to my experience in the Philippines, where chain restaurants were pretty thoughtful with food preferences, Nepal was trickier. For instance, I had to stop a server at my hotel from using the same tongs for non-veg and veg dishes, something that could easily go unnoticed. A small thing maybe, but for someone with my kind of dietary restrictions, it’s a big deal. My mum had insisted on packing some home-cooked food before the trip—and as always, mothers know best. Lesson learnt.
That said, we explored some great cafes too. My favourite was Pizza from Himalayan Java in Kathmandu. And next time, I‘m visit Utpala Café, run by monks. It’s on my wish list now.
When the Mountains Finally Whispered Hello
The mountains, I must say, were teasing us throughout the trip—playing hide and seek behind thick clouds and fog. We kept waiting, hoping, peeking out of windows and into skies, but Pokhara remained mostly overcast.
Then, just when we had almost given up—as we were leaving for the airport—there it was.
Annapurna. Machhapuchchhre.
Majestic. Serene. Suddenly visible like a blessing.
We spotted a glimpse from our hotel too and instantly went gaga—squealing like little kids seeing something we’d only heard about in stories. It felt like Pokhara had saved its most magical moment for the very end. A perfect, quiet farewell.
Why It Mattered
More than the schedule, the venue, or even the amazing sessions; WordCamps are about the people.
It’s the chai breaks, the impromptu laughter, the smiles exchanged between sessions that stay with you. The shared spirit of belonging. Pokhara reminded me of Bhopal in many ways, except for the mountains, of course.
This time, I wasn’t just carried by the community’s support, I felt ready to give back, to cheer others on, to help hold that space of warmth for someone else.
I didn’t go looking for a community this time. But by the end of it, I knew—I belong here.
Thank you, WordCamp Pokhara. You’ll always have a place in my heart.
Until we meet again. Lots of Maya!
