Miss Nepal/Fem Hidden Treasure Miss Nepal (मिस नेपाल-नेपालकै सबैभन्दा राम्री) beauty pageant is an annual event held in Kathmandu, Nepal. This pageant started in 1994. The winner of the event competes in Miss World and the 1st runner up completes in Miss Earth pageants respectively.[1] The first Miss Nepal crowned was Ruby Rana. Later Miss Nepals include Jharana Bajracharya, Sumi Khadka, and [[Malvika Subba (Model)|Priti Sitoula among others.
From 2004, the practice of choosing a single winner or "Miss Nepal" was changed to instead elect representatives to the different international pageants. As of 2004, the 2nd Runner Up is sent to the Miss Earth pageant, which is recognized as one of the three most prestigious beauty pageants in the world.[2].
No contest was held in 2001 because of the Nepalese royal massacre. In 2002, the pageant was held in December which was after the Miss World 2002, hence the Miss Nepal 2002 winner, Malvika Subba missed the opportunity to represent Nepal in the Miss World pageant. From 2005, the practice of sending the 1st Runner Up to Miss Asia Pacific was abolished in favor of sending the 1st Runner Up for the Miss Earth Beauty Paegent.
Various Spin-off Paegents relating to Nepali women throughout the world
Miss Nepal USA
Due to heavy protests and lack of sponsorship, Miss Nepal USA pageant, so far has been held only once. The event was held in Pennsylvania, USA on July 2001. The contest was held during the annual convention held by The Association of Nepalese in Americas.
In 2005 the 1st Runner Up Shavona Shrestha went to Miss Earth 2005 and the 2nd Runner Up Ayushma Pokharel went to Miss Earth 2006 because in 2006 Miss Nepal was not held.
