A wonderful
country decorated by colorful and lively festivals, Nepal is
indeed a happening country. A home to more than 40 ethnic
groups each with own and distinct culture, Nepal has got
festivals year-round. Various traditional festivals coming
in the year 2006 are mentioned below.
A wonderful country decorated by colorful and lively
festivals, Nepal is indeed a happening country. A home to
more than 40 ethnic groups each with own and distinct
culture, Nepal has got festivals year-round. Various
traditional festivals coming in the year 2006 are mentioned
below.
Jama Nhawan
Sweta (white) Machhindranath, the Buddhist deity of
compassion, is enshrined in the temple courtyard of Jana
Bahal in central Kathmandu. He is locally known as Jana
Baha-dyo. In the evening of the eighth day of the bright
lunar fortnight, the image of Jana Baha-dyo is placed on a
platform in the temple courtyard and holy water containing
butter, honey, milk, curd and sugar is poured over it amidst
elaborate rituals. The bath water is collected by the
attending priest and sprinkled over the devotees as
blessings.
Other ceremonies continue for a week. The image is put in
the sun after the ritual wash and then repainted
meticulously to give it a fresh look. The God of compassion
is then donned with new silken robes. Almost smothered under
the devotees’ floral offerings, he is taken back to his
shrine on the last day of the festival.
Maghe Sankranti (14 Jan)
Each first days of the Nepali month is referred as ‘sankranti’.
Thus Maghe Sankranti is the first day of the month of Magh.
This day is considered as a holy day for it is the end of
the ill-omen month of Poush in which all the festivals are
forbidden. The day is also referred as Makar Sankranti. The
festival is observed throughout the country. People take
holy bath in the rivers. The festival witnesses special
celebration at the Devghat river confluence, near the Royal
Chitwan National Park, where the Trishuli and Kali Gandaki
rivers meet. There, fasting devotees gather to take holy
dips in the water and pay obeisance to Lord Shiva and other
Hindu deities. The special foods eaten on this day are Ghee,
molasses (Chaku), Sesame seedcakes (Tilaura) and yam. All
these foods are the producers of heat in the body which is
very much appropriate for the cold month of Magh.
Lhosar (30 Jan)
This is the day celebrated to commemorate the beginning of
the New Year for various castes including Gurung, Tamang,
Lama and various other Himalayan people. As a part of the
festival Buddhist monks hold prayer meetings in specially
decorated monasteries. Worshippers pray to Lord Buddha
visiting various Stupas. The people raise holy flags atop
their homes. This festival is observed in a grand way.
Greetings are exchanged among the relatives and friends. The
first day of the bright lunar fortnight is also as occasion
for the people to come together singing, dancing, dressing
up and feasting. Lots of people flock towards Boudhanath in
Kathmandu to celebrate the festival.
Shree Panchami (2 Feb)
Shree Panchami, also Known as Basanta panchami marks the
advent of spring. The day is dedicated to the Hindu Goddess
Saraswoti, the goddess of Art and wisdom. The goddess is
also worshipped by the Buddhists as Manjushree.All the
temples of goddess Saraswoti is crowded by the worshippers;
especially the students.The most joyous observances take
place near Swoyambhu, at the Saraswoti temple courtyard to
the west of large stupa. Also a grand ceremony is held at
the Hanuman Dhoka Palace in the presence of His Majesty the
King.
Maha Shiva Ratri (26 Feb)
Maha Shiva Ratri or the night of almighty Shiva is one of
the most important festivals dedicated to lord shiva. Lord
Shiva is one of the Hinduism’s “supreme trinity”, along with
Brahma the Creator and Bishnu the Preserver. Shiva is
regarded as the God of destruction.Many of the pilgrims from
throughout the country as well as from India come to
celebrate the night in Pashupatinath. At the evening time
bonfire is lit at many places. It is believed that those who
warm themselves free themselves from the sins or disease.
Holi (14 Mar)
Fagu Purnima, popularly known as Holi is the festival of
colors celebrated to mark the demise of demoness Holika by
the hands of Vishnu. The festival is celebrated across the
country for eight days. Revelers mark the occasion by
smearing colored powder and throwing colored water at each
other.In Kathmandu, a ceremonial pole decorated with strips
of colored cloth is raised in front of the Kumari Chhen at
the Durbar Square to announce the beginning of the
festivals. On the full moon day of the festivities, bands of
revelers roam the city throwing color at any one seen.
Also on this day, Jyapu farmers of Kathmandu leave a feast
of rice in the middle of the Tundikhel parade ground for the
giant Gurumapa. It is said that the giant used to terrorize
city-dwellers by snatching away their children and was
persuaded to give up his ways with the promise of a yearly
banquet.
Toranlha
Toranlha is celebrated among the Thakali community (who is
concentrated on the trade and trek route to the north of
Pokhara) by venerating one’s father. The festival is
observed for three days with full moon of Falgun falling in
the middle. While the main offering is made by the women,
the men also hold archery contests. All three days are
marked by merry-making and getting together with kith and
kin.
Nala Karunamaya Jatra
One of the most important shrines dedicated to the Buddhist
deity Karunamaya or Lokeswor is situated in Nala, 29 km east
of Kathmandu. This medieval Newar village is situated to the
north of Banepa on the way to Dhulikhel, the famed hill
resort and Himalaya viewing spot. A white-faced idol wearing
robes and a crown, Karunamaya is believed to be the Guru of
Goddess Chandeswori, a manifestation of the Hindu Goddess
Durga, located in the nearby village.
The festival of Nala Karunamaya runs for three days during
which the deity’s idol is given a bath and repainted. On the
third day, a grand procession is held. The image is carried
in a palanquin accompanied by musical bands to the temples
of Chandeswori and then brought back to its temple.
Pahan Charhe
Pahan Charhe is one of the biggest festivals for the native
inhabitants of the Kathmandu valley. Being an exclusive day
of pisach (ghostly spirits), worship is offered to Luku Maha
dyo, an elusive manifestation of the Hindu deity Lord Shiva.
The festival marks the defeat of evil spirits and people
invite their relatives and friends to join merry-making. The
streets are filled with families on their way to visit
relatives. There is also a seasonal song which is played
during Pahan Charhe.
In another part of the festival, Goddess Neta-maru Ajima, a
representation of female force, is adored at her shrine in
Neta, to the north of Kathmandu Durbar Square. On the night,
Sacred masked dances are performed here. Palanquins of three
mother goddesses are brought to the market square of Asan
for a grand finale ceremony, known as the “meeting of the
goddesses”.
Ghoda Jatra (29 Mar)
Ghoda jatra or the horse festival consists of colorful
pageantry dominated be horse races at Tundikhel, the parade
ground at the city center, previously known as the largest
parade ground in Asia. Legend has it that the thundering
hooves of the horses keep the unabsolved spirit of Tundi, a
ferorious demon, buried under that ground. In recent years,
parachuting, aerobatics, bicycle races and similar other
sports have been included to add to the thrills and stunts
of the traditional horse races. Their Majesties the King and
the Queen as well as various state dignitaries and members
of diplomatic corps attend Ghoda Jatra at the Royal Nepal
Army Pavilion.
In Patan, a horse is made to drink liquor and the town’s
people chase the intoxicated animal through the streets
amidst much cheering and clapping. On the same day large
number of the people in Patan goes to the big ground at
Balkumari to eat and drink with family and friends.
Ram Nawami (6 April)
Ram Nawami is the birth anniversary of Lord Ram-the
protagonist of the great Hindu epic Ramayan. This day sees
flocks of devotees crowding Ram shrines throughout the
country. The most spectacular event can be seen in Janakpur,
a historic city in southeastern Nepal, which is named after
Ram’s father-in-Law, King Janak. Various episodes from Ram’s
life are enacted in the Janaki temple complex. Marble images
of Lord Ram, his consort Sita and other deities are brought
out of their shrines and taken around the city in a colorful
procession.
Chaite Dashain (7 April)
Chaite Dashain is smaller version of Dashain festival, the
most popular Hindu festival in Nepal which is celebrated for
several days in October. It is marked by animal sacrifices
to the Goddess Bhagwati at various temples. The army also
performs goat and buffalo sacrifices in front of the
regimental colors at the courtyard near Kathmandu Durbar
Square, starting early in the morning.
Jana Baha Dyo Jatra
The shrine of Janabaha dyo or sweta (white) Machhindranath
is situated in a courtyard in central Kathmandu. Besides the
deity’s sacred bathing ceremony in December, the chariot
festival is the most important event of the year and it is
spread over three days. The image of deity is put in a tall
creaking chariot and dragged in stretches through the
streets of Kathmandu accompanied by musical bands. The
procession starts at Durbar Marg late in the afternoon and
winds through the market squares of Bhotahity, Ason (day
one), Indra chowk, Durbar square(day two) and Chikan Mugal
to the end at Lagan,towards the southern end of the old city
(day three). When the chariot stops for the night at the
specified locality, devotees gather to worship the deity and
light butter-lamps.
Balaju Mela or Lhuti Punhi (13 Apr)
The full moon day of April, Lhuti Punhi, is important for
both Hindus and Buddhists. Devotees celebrate the festival
by visiting Balaju (or Lhuti), which lies 3 km north of
downtown Kathmandu to take holy baths under the 22
dragon-headed stone water spouts and pay homage to the
reclining image of the Hindu deity Budhanilkantha. People
also climb the nearby Jamacho hill to worship the Buddhist
stupa located at the top.
The hill is held sacred because ages ago, when the Kathmandu
valley was a lake, it was from this summit the the Bipaswa
Buddha had cast a lotus seed into the water which blossomed
into the flaming holy lotus over which the Swoyambhu stupa
now stands.
Nava Barsha (14 April)
This is the official New Year’s Day. The official Bikram era
followed in Nepal is accredited to King Bikramaditya who
started this solar calendar some two millenniums ago. The
New Year 2063 corresponds to 2006-7 AD. The New Year’s Day
is an official holiday in Nepal. On this day, devotees
throng the Pashupatinath temple in Kathmandu to take a dip
in the holy Bagmati River. Pilgrims also visit other
religious spots and spend the day picnicking. No picnic
spots are free from the merry making noises of the
picnickers on this day. It is a day to seek blessings from
the family and other elders as well.
Bisket Jatra (14 April)
Bisket Jatra is Bhaktapur’s greatest festival and goes on
for nine days. The festivity starts off with a raucous tug
of war at the city centre between two neighbourhoods trying
to drag the triple-roofed chariot of Bhairavnath to their
own side. A ceremonial pole called yosin is erected on the
city out skirts. The two strips of cloth unfurled from the
top represent a pair of dead snakes in whose memory the
festival has been installed. “Bi” in Nepali means snake and
“sika” stands for death, hence the Bisika or Biska or Bisket
festival. It is a very colorful festival where three
chariots dedicated to Lord Durga, Ganesha and Kumari circle
Bhaktapur city. Masked dances are organized and many local
feasts are held. People from Patan and Kathmandu also
observe this festival at Bhaktapur.
Matri Aunshi (27 April)
Matri Aunshi, often known as “Aamako Mukh Herne”, is
Mother’s Day in the Nepalese calendar. Children pay homage
to their mothers offering sweets, gifts and delicious foods.
Those who have lost their mothers, visit Mata Tirtha where
they bathe plus pray for the eternal peace of their mother’s
soul. Thus a huge crowd is seen at Mata Tirtha taking holy
bath to bestow their respect to their heavenly mothers.
Buddha Jayanti (13 May)
This is the day marked to remember the preaching of Lord
Buddha who was born, enlightened and also left the world on
this very day. Buddhism is the second most popular religion
in Nepal. The day is celebrated throughout the valley.
Swoyambhunath and Boudhanath stupas are prepared several
days in advance for this day. Monasteries are cleaned,
statues polished and new flags waft in the breeze. Many
people in the Kathmandu valley put a new flag on their roofs
on this day. In Patan, many people take part in a rpocession
which circles the city with the big statue of Buddha. People
also exhibit the Buddha's photos outside many of the House.
On this day people go to the stupas before dawn, go around
them and give offerings to the Buddha's images.
Guru Poornima (11 July)
Guru Poornima is a full moon (Poornima) day dedicated to
teachers (Guru) in the month of June or July. In Hinduism,
teachers are respected second after the gods and it is
believed that a student who does not respect his/her teacher
can never succeed in his/her life. On this day students pay
homage to their teachers and receive blessings from them. On
Guru Porrnima, the ashram known as Vyas of Maharishi Vyas
(the sage who wrote the great Hindu epic Mahabharat)
situated on the Kathmandu-Pokhara highway is also visited by
Hindus. For Buddhists this is an auspicious day when Lord
Buddha entered the womb of Queen Mayadevi and Buddhists
celebrate this day as Dilla Punhi.
Ghantakarna (July 24)
This festival, also known as Gathemangal, is celebrated in
the valley on the occasion of the death of a demon called
Ghanta Karna. An effigy of Ghanta Karna is made and later in
the evening burnt in evidence of his death. People wear
special metal rings in this day.
Naag Panchami (July 30)
Naag Panchami is the day to worship the snakes. This is
celebrated throughout the kingdom by putting photos of snake
above the doors and worshipping it. A large number pilgrims
can be seen in Naag Pokhari – in the east of Patan.
Janai Poornima/Rakshya Bandhan (Aug 9)
Janai is the sacred thread worn by Hindus. Among the Hindu
men some castes like Brahmins, Chhetris and some of the
castes in Newar community, after undergoing a ritual called
Bratabandha, wear Janai around their body, which is
sanctified with various chants, believed to protect oneself
from any evil. On Janai Poornima, the festival dedicated to
Lord Shiva, Hindus bathe in Ganga, a holy river, and then
the men change their janai sacred threads. A Brahmin should
then tie a thread around their right wrist. Women bathe in
Ganga and tie this sacred thread on their left wrists. The
major areas of celebration of this festival are Gosainkunda
in the Himalayas and Kumbheshwar Mahadev temple in Patan
where the sculpture of Lord Shiva is placed on a platform in
the middle of the pond created by blocking the waterspouts.
It is believed that the water that flows from the
waterspouts of Kumbeshwar come directly from Gosainkunda.
Gai Jatra (Aug 10)
Gai Jatra is Hindu festival dedicated to the departed souls.
The children of families who have lost a loved one that
year, disguise themselves as cow and pay a visit to temples
around the city where they are given food and offerings. In
Hinduism cows are sacred, believed to be the symbol of the
Goddess Laxmi, goddess of wealth. So, feeding cow is seen as
auspicious. For others, this is a procession of cows
followed by people wearing funny attires, mask dancers and
others. It is celebrated around the Kathmandu Valley
especially in Kathmandu’s city center, Patan and Bhaktapur.
This festival came during the reign of King Jaya Prakash
Malla, when the Queen lost her son and felt into the depths
of mourning. In spite of the King’s rationale, that life and
death are the course of nature; the Queen could not accept
it and becomes weaker and more engaged in misery. To prove
to his Queen that everyone suffers from a loss of a loved
one, the King commanded his people to start a procession to
worship Yamaraj, god of death, who would thus take care of
the departed souls.
Mataya (Aug 11)
Matayaa is a day-long local festival in Patan held the day
after Gaijatra. Devotees process to all the Buddhist sutpas
in the city, tossing rice grains, flowers and lighting
candles. As on the day of Gaijatra, some people wear funny
attires on this day, and masked dancers participate
throughout the procession.
Krishnashtami (Aug15)
Lord Krishna, who taught warrior Arjun the value of karma in
the Bhagwat Gita, was born in the mid-night on the eighth
day of the dark full moon of August. To celebrate the
birthday of this much loved Hindu God, devotees flock to the
Krishna Mandir at Patan Durbar Square on the preceeding day.
There, men and women from far away gather around the 17th
century temple and sit in vigil waiting for the mid night
hour. Euphoric prayers and incanations fill the air, and
small oil lamps are lit as a mark of felicitation and
devotion to the Lord. Images of Lord Krishna are also
carried around the city in a procession accompanied by
joyous crowds of followers and musical bands.
Bhimsen Jatra
On this day, the image of business and prosperity, Bhimsen,
is removed from his temple in Patan Durbar Square and
carried around the city in a palanquin. Businessmen from
Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Patan accompany the palanquin
carrying burning incense and torches in their hands. A
musical band playing special musical leads the procession
which starts around 8 pm at the Durbar Square and passes
through Sundhara, Okubahal, Ikhalakhu, Purnachandi, Nakabahi,
Kumbheswor and finally back to the Durbar Square.
Panja-daan
Panja-daan or the auspicious rice offering festival is a
Buddhist festival of charity. On this day, daily essentials
like rice, paddy, beans, wheat, salt, broom, needle and
thread-rope and raw sugar are offered to Buddhist monks and
to the priestly castes in the Newar Buddhists. The festival
honors the practice of monks going around begging alms from
the laity besides emphasizing the duty of house holders to
give to those who have abandoned worldly possessions. The
faithful also gather at Swayambhu and major Buddhist
courtyards around the valley to make donations.
Kushe Aunshi (Aug 23)
Kushe aunshi also known as Gokarna aunshi is the father's
day. Sons and daughters offer ritual food, sweet, meats and
other gifts to their fathers. The streets are a happy scene
of married daughters making their way to their parents'
houses with loads of delicacies. After offering the gifts,
they touch the feet of their father with their foreheads in
veneration. The ceremony is also known as 'babuko mukh herne
din' meaning day of looking upon father's face.
Those who have lost their fathers visit Gokarna and other
sacred places where they conduct puja and offer “Pinda” –
food for the departed soul praying for his eternal peace.
There they also perform anniversary rituals and make
offerings to the Brahmin priests. It is believed that if a
son offers Pinda at a holy pond of Gokarna having conducted
puja, his departed father will eat it and find peace.
Haritalika/Teej (Aug 26)
The festival combines sumptuous feasts and tormenting fasts.
On the first day of the three-day celebrations, groups of
women, both married and unmarried, congregate at one place
in their finest attires. Amidst laughter, songs and music,
the grand feast begins. The merry making goes on till mid
night, from which time onwards the women will undergo a
24-hour fast.
The next day sees these women, in their crimson saris,
singing and dancing in the streets leading to Shiva shrines.
The main activities revolve round the Pashupati temple in
Kathmandu where the devotees, as a mark of total devotion to
Shiva the destroyer, circumambulate the lingam, the phallic
symbol of the almighty, offer him flowers, sweets and coins.
The married ones pray for their husband's longevity,
progress and prosperity, and those yet to tie the knot ask
for good husband.
The third and the last day of the festival is called Rishi
Panchami. On this day, the women who have undergone the
agonizing fast pay homage to various deities situated on the
banks of sacred rivers.
Chatha
Chatha is the day exclusively allocated to Lord Ganesh.
Households here, as a rule, commence the day with the
propitiation of Lord Ganesh. On the day of Chatha festival,
the ceremony is extra special. Early in the morning, women
with trays containing rice, vermillion, flowers and coins
visit Ganesh shrines in their neighborhood and offer
worship. Celebration of Chatha is mainly an outdoor affair.
All the family members congregate in the family worship room
to adore Ganesh with profuse offerings and oblations.
Indra Jatra
The fields have been planted, the monsoon is drawing to an
end, and the season of harvest is coming up. Now is the time
to be grateful to Indra, Lord of heaven, who gave the
monsoon rains to the Kathmandu Valley farmers. In one of the
most colorful festivals in the valley, residents carry out
an eight-day celebration fit to flatter the King of heaven.
This festival was commenced by King Jaya Prakash Malla in
the medieval era to commemorate his victory over Patan. A
temple of Lord Indra is situated in Kathmandu popularly
known as Indra Chowk. A chariot procession carrying the
images of Lord Indra, Lord Ganesh and Godess Kumari – the
living goddess is carried around Kathmandu Durbar Square for
a day that is observed by thousands of devotees including
His Majesty the King and Queen.
Neel Barahai Pyakhan
Neel Barahi Pyakhan, Neel Barahi dance is a local festival
of Bode, a place near to Thimi, 8km east of Kathmandu,
dedicated to Neel Barahi, the incarnation of Goddess Durga,
consort to Lord Shiva. It is a masked dance performed for
four consecutive days during the month of August or
September. Nineteen dancers represent the city guardians and
a local orchestra plays traditional music. It is believed
that this festival calls for peace and harmony between
people. The temple of Neel Barahi is located in a jungle
outside Bode.
Dashain (Sep 23- Oct 6)
Dashain is the biggest festival of Nepalese. It is a time
for families to reunite and celebrate the victories of
Goddess Durga over the demons Sur and Mahisasur and of Lord
Ram over the demon Rawan. It is believed that on this day –
Dashain, the tenth day of the war between God and demons,
god had victory, winning justice upon injustice. This is the
longest Nepalese festival going on for fifteen days. Temples
of the goddess Durga are visited, and sacrifice of Goats,
Cocks, Ducks and Buffalos are offered to the deity.
Tihar (Oct 20-24)
Another big festival of Hindus, Tihar also known as
Deepawali is a festival of lights when Nepal is lit up with
oil lamps, candles and electric lights. Tihar starts with
Kaag tihar, when the crow is worshipped and offered food
followed by Kukur tihar, the day when dogs are worshipped,
then comes Laxmi Puja, the third and main day of Tihar when
the goddess Laxmi, goddess of wealth and consort of Lord
Vishnu is worshipped. From this day people decorate their
houses with garlands, purify the entrance with red soil and
cow dung, putting auspicious signs on the entrance of the
house. Footsteps of goddess Laxmi are made with rice paste
starting from the home entrance to the room where the image
of the goddess is established symbolizing that the goddess
has visited ones home. During the evening, after conducting
a puja or ritual, oil lamps and candles are lit up to
welcome the arrival of the goddess. Laxmi Puja is followed
by Gobardhan puja when the cow and its dung are worshipped -
Hindus believe cow dung to be sacred. This very fourth day
is also the New Year's Day in the Nepal Era. To mark the New
Year's Day, a long procession of vehicles circle around the
Kathmandu valley all day long. This very day also happens to
be Mha Puja meaning body-worship day in the Newar community.
On this day the Newar people worship their body for their
good health for the coming year. The last day of Tihar is
Bhaitika – brother’s day when sisters put tika on their
brothers and worship Yamaraj, god of death, praying for the
long and healthy life of their brothers.
Chhath Parva (Oct 28)
One of the most important festivals for the people of Terai,
Chhath is the festival to worship the sun. A large number of
devotees are seen to be taking dip in the water of rivers or
ponds on this day.
Bala Chaturdashi (Nov 19)
This simple festive day takes place in the ancient forest
surrounding the Pashupatinath Temple. It is one of the
oldest traditions of the valley. Families who have lost a
loved one in the last year keep an all night vigil in the
forest, lighting oil-lamps and singing songs. Following a
ritual bath, people walk through the forest, scattering
seven types of grains along the path and Over the Linga of
Lord Shiva to give merit to their late kinsmen and to
cleanse the sins of a mythological man called Bala who had
transformed into a demon.
Bibah Panchami (Nov 25)
All the people in belonging to the Hidu religion know the
story of the marriage of the Lord Ram and the Princess Sita,
as told in the epic Ramayan. King Janak, Sita's father,
proposed a test of strength for the suitors of his
daughters: To string the great bow of Lord Shiva. Warriors,
Kings and Chieftains came from afar, but no man could even
lift the bow. Ram lifted the bow with ease and when he tried
to string it, the bow shattered into pieces. Ram and Sita
were married in Janakpur, which lies in the southern Nepal,
and their marriage is celebrated to this day. Each year,
idols of Ram and Sita are brought out in procession and
their Hindu wedding ceremony is re-enacted during a week
long religious fair. Bibah Panchami reflects the devotion of
Hindus to Ram, perhaps the most sincere and just among the
incarnation of Vishnu, and to Sita, the model of ideal Hindu
woman.
Sweta (white) Machhindranath, the Buddhist deity of
compassion, is enshrined in the temple courtyard of Jana
Bahal in central Kathmandu. He is locally known as Jana
Baha-dyo. In the evening of the eighth day of the bright
lunar fortnight, the image of Jana Baha-dyo is placed on a
platform in the temple courtyard and holy water containing
butter, honey, milk, curd and sugar is poured over it amidst
elaborate rituals. The bath water is collected by the
attending priest and sprinkled over the devotees as
blessings.
Other ceremonies continue for a week. The image is put in
the sun after the ritual wash and then repainted
meticulously to give it a fresh look. The God of compassion
is then donned with new silken robes. Almost smothered under
the devotees’ floral offerings, he is taken back to his
shrine on the last day of the festival.
Maghe Sankranti (14 Jan)
Each first days of the Nepali month is referred as ‘sankranti’.
Thus Maghe Sankranti is the first day of the month of Magh.
This day is considered as a holy day for it is the end of
the ill-omen month of Poush in which all the festivals are
forbidden. The day is also referred as Makar Sankranti. The
festival is observed throughout the country. People take
holy bath in the rivers. The festival witnesses special
celebration at the Devghat river confluence, near the Royal
Chitwan National Park, where the Trishuli and Kali Gandaki
rivers meet. There, fasting devotees gather to take holy
dips in the water and pay obeisance to Lord Shiva and other
Hindu deities. The special foods eaten on this day are Ghee,
molasses (Chaku), Sesame seedcakes (Tilaura) and yam. All
these foods are the producers of heat in the body which is
very much appropriate for the cold month of Magh.
Lhosar (30 Jan)
This is the day celebrated to commemorate the beginning of
the New Year for various castes including Gurung, Tamang,
Lama and various other Himalayan people. As a part of the
festival Buddhist monks hold prayer meetings in specially
decorated monasteries. Worshippers pray to Lord Buddha
visiting various Stupas. The people raise holy flags atop
their homes. This festival is observed in a grand way.
Greetings are exchanged among the relatives and friends. The
first day of the bright lunar fortnight is also as occasion
for the people to come together singing, dancing, dressing
up and feasting. Lots of people flock towards Boudhanath in
Kathmandu to celebrate the festival.
Shree Panchami (2 Feb)
Shree Panchami, also Known as Basanta panchami marks the
advent of spring. The day is dedicated to the Hindu Goddess
Saraswoti, the goddess of Art and wisdom. The goddess is
also worshipped by the Buddhists as Manjushree.All the
temples of goddess Saraswoti is crowded by the worshippers;
especially the students.The most joyous observances take
place near Swoyambhu, at the Saraswoti temple courtyard to
the west of large stupa. Also a grand ceremony is held at
the Hanuman Dhoka Palace in the presence of His Majesty the
King.
Maha Shiva Ratri (26 Feb)
Maha Shiva Ratri or the night of almighty Shiva is one of
the most important festivals dedicated to lord shiva. Lord
Shiva is one of the Hinduism’s “supreme trinity”, along with
Brahma the Creator and Bishnu the Preserver. Shiva is
regarded as the God of destruction.Many of the pilgrims from
throughout the country as well as from India come to
celebrate the night in Pashupatinath. At the evening time
bonfire is lit at many places. It is believed that those who
warm themselves free themselves from the sins or disease.
Holi (14 Mar)
Fagu Purnima, popularly known as Holi is the festival of
colors celebrated to mark the demise of demoness Holika by
the hands of Vishnu. The festival is celebrated across the
country for eight days. Revelers mark the occasion by
smearing colored powder and throwing colored water at each
other.In Kathmandu, a ceremonial pole decorated with strips
of colored cloth is raised in front of the Kumari Chhen at
the Durbar Square to announce the beginning of the
festivals. On the full moon day of the festivities, bands of
revelers roam the city throwing color at any one seen.
Also on this day, Jyapu farmers of Kathmandu leave a feast
of rice in the middle of the Tundikhel parade ground for the
giant Gurumapa. It is said that the giant used to terrorize
city-dwellers by snatching away their children and was
persuaded to give up his ways with the promise of a yearly
banquet.
Toranlha
Toranlha is celebrated among the Thakali community (who is
concentrated on the trade and trek route to the north of
Pokhara) by venerating one’s father. The festival is
observed for three days with full moon of Falgun falling in
the middle. While the main offering is made by the women,
the men also hold archery contests. All three days are
marked by merry-making and getting together with kith and
kin.
Nala Karunamaya Jatra
One of the most important shrines dedicated to the Buddhist
deity Karunamaya or Lokeswor is situated in Nala, 29 km east
of Kathmandu. This medieval Newar village is situated to the
north of Banepa on the way to Dhulikhel, the famed hill
resort and Himalaya viewing spot. A white-faced idol wearing
robes and a crown, Karunamaya is believed to be the Guru of
Goddess Chandeswori, a manifestation of the Hindu Goddess
Durga, located in the nearby village.
The festival of Nala Karunamaya runs for three days during
which the deity’s idol is given a bath and repainted. On the
third day, a grand procession is held. The image is carried
in a palanquin accompanied by musical bands to the temples
of Chandeswori and then brought back to its temple.
Pahan Charhe
Pahan Charhe is one of the biggest festivals for the native
inhabitants of the Kathmandu valley. Being an exclusive day
of pisach (ghostly spirits), worship is offered to Luku Maha
dyo, an elusive manifestation of the Hindu deity Lord Shiva.
The festival marks the defeat of evil spirits and people
invite their relatives and friends to join merry-making. The
streets are filled with families on their way to visit
relatives. There is also a seasonal song which is played
during Pahan Charhe.
In another part of the festival, Goddess Neta-maru Ajima, a
representation of female force, is adored at her shrine in
Neta, to the north of Kathmandu Durbar Square. On the night,
Sacred masked dances are performed here. Palanquins of three
mother goddesses are brought to the market square of Asan
for a grand finale ceremony, known as the “meeting of the
goddesses”.
Ghoda Jatra (29 Mar)
Ghoda jatra or the horse festival consists of colorful
pageantry dominated be horse races at Tundikhel, the parade
ground at the city center, previously known as the largest
parade ground in Asia. Legend has it that the thundering
hooves of the horses keep the unabsolved spirit of Tundi, a
ferorious demon, buried under that ground. In recent years,
parachuting, aerobatics, bicycle races and similar other
sports have been included to add to the thrills and stunts
of the traditional horse races. Their Majesties the King and
the Queen as well as various state dignitaries and members
of diplomatic corps attend Ghoda Jatra at the Royal Nepal
Army Pavilion.
In Patan, a horse is made to drink liquor and the town’s
people chase the intoxicated animal through the streets
amidst much cheering and clapping. On the same day large
number of the people in Patan goes to the big ground at
Balkumari to eat and drink with family and friends.
Ram Nawami (6 April)
Ram Nawami is the birth anniversary of Lord Ram-the
protagonist of the great Hindu epic Ramayan. This day sees
flocks of devotees crowding Ram shrines throughout the
country. The most spectacular event can be seen in Janakpur,
a historic city in southeastern Nepal, which is named after
Ram’s father-in-Law, King Janak. Various episodes from Ram’s
life are enacted in the Janaki temple complex. Marble images
of Lord Ram, his consort Sita and other deities are brought
out of their shrines and taken around the city in a colorful
procession.
Chaite Dashain (7 April)
Chaite Dashain is smaller version of Dashain festival, the
most popular Hindu festival in Nepal which is celebrated for
several days in October. It is marked by animal sacrifices
to the Goddess Bhagwati at various temples. The army also
performs goat and buffalo sacrifices in front of the
regimental colors at the courtyard near Kathmandu Durbar
Square, starting early in the morning.
Jana Baha Dyo Jatra
The shrine of Janabaha dyo or sweta (white) Machhindranath
is situated in a courtyard in central Kathmandu. Besides the
deity’s sacred bathing ceremony in December, the chariot
festival is the most important event of the year and it is
spread over three days. The image of deity is put in a tall
creaking chariot and dragged in stretches through the
streets of Kathmandu accompanied by musical bands. The
procession starts at Durbar Marg late in the afternoon and
winds through the market squares of Bhotahity, Ason (day
one), Indra chowk, Durbar square(day two) and Chikan Mugal
to the end at Lagan,towards the southern end of the old city
(day three). When the chariot stops for the night at the
specified locality, devotees gather to worship the deity and
light butter-lamps.
Balaju Mela or Lhuti Punhi (13 Apr)
The full moon day of April, Lhuti Punhi, is important for
both Hindus and Buddhists. Devotees celebrate the festival
by visiting Balaju (or Lhuti), which lies 3 km north of
downtown Kathmandu to take holy baths under the 22
dragon-headed stone water spouts and pay homage to the
reclining image of the Hindu deity Budhanilkantha. People
also climb the nearby Jamacho hill to worship the Buddhist
stupa located at the top.
The hill is held sacred because ages ago, when the Kathmandu
valley was a lake, it was from this summit the the Bipaswa
Buddha had cast a lotus seed into the water which blossomed
into the flaming holy lotus over which the Swoyambhu stupa
now stands.
Nava Barsha (14 April)
This is the official New Year’s Day. The official Bikram era
followed in Nepal is accredited to King Bikramaditya who
started this solar calendar some two millenniums ago. The
New Year 2063 corresponds to 2006-7 AD. The New Year’s Day
is an official holiday in Nepal. On this day, devotees
throng the Pashupatinath temple in Kathmandu to take a dip
in the holy Bagmati River. Pilgrims also visit other
religious spots and spend the day picnicking. No picnic
spots are free from the merry making noises of the
picnickers on this day. It is a day to seek blessings from
the family and other elders as well.
Bisket Jatra (14 April)
Bisket Jatra is Bhaktapur’s greatest festival and goes on
for nine days. The festivity starts off with a raucous tug
of war at the city centre between two neighbourhoods trying
to drag the triple-roofed chariot of Bhairavnath to their
own side. A ceremonial pole called yosin is erected on the
city out skirts. The two strips of cloth unfurled from the
top represent a pair of dead snakes in whose memory the
festival has been installed. “Bi” in Nepali means snake and
“sika” stands for death, hence the Bisika or Biska or Bisket
festival. It is a very colorful festival where three
chariots dedicated to Lord Durga, Ganesha and Kumari circle
Bhaktapur city. Masked dances are organized and many local
feasts are held. People from Patan and Kathmandu also
observe this festival at Bhaktapur.
Matri Aunshi (27 April)
Matri Aunshi, often known as “Aamako Mukh Herne”, is
Mother’s Day in the Nepalese calendar. Children pay homage
to their mothers offering sweets, gifts and delicious foods.
Those who have lost their mothers, visit Mata Tirtha where
they bathe plus pray for the eternal peace of their mother’s
soul. Thus a huge crowd is seen at Mata Tirtha taking holy
bath to bestow their respect to their heavenly mothers.
Buddha Jayanti (13 May)
This is the day marked to remember the preaching of Lord
Buddha who was born, enlightened and also left the world on
this very day. Buddhism is the second most popular religion
in Nepal. The day is celebrated throughout the valley.
Swoyambhunath and Boudhanath stupas are prepared several
days in advance for this day. Monasteries are cleaned,
statues polished and new flags waft in the breeze. Many
people in the Kathmandu valley put a new flag on their roofs
on this day. In Patan, many people take part in a rpocession
which circles the city with the big statue of Buddha. People
also exhibit the Buddha's photos outside many of the House.
On this day people go to the stupas before dawn, go around
them and give offerings to the Buddha's images.
Guru Poornima (11 July)
Guru Poornima is a full moon (Poornima) day dedicated to
teachers (Guru) in the month of June or July. In Hinduism,
teachers are respected second after the gods and it is
believed that a student who does not respect his/her teacher
can never succeed in his/her life. On this day students pay
homage to their teachers and receive blessings from them. On
Guru Porrnima, the ashram known as Vyas of Maharishi Vyas
(the sage who wrote the great Hindu epic Mahabharat)
situated on the Kathmandu-Pokhara highway is also visited by
Hindus. For Buddhists this is an auspicious day when Lord
Buddha entered the womb of Queen Mayadevi and Buddhists
celebrate this day as Dilla Punhi.
Ghantakarna (July 24)
This festival, also known as Gathemangal, is celebrated in
the valley on the occasion of the death of a demon called
Ghanta Karna. An effigy of Ghanta Karna is made and later in
the evening burnt in evidence of his death. People wear
special metal rings in this day.
Naag Panchami (July 30)
Naag Panchami is the day to worship the snakes. This is
celebrated throughout the kingdom by putting photos of snake
above the doors and worshipping it. A large number pilgrims
can be seen in Naag Pokhari – in the east of Patan.
Janai Poornima/Rakshya Bandhan (Aug 9)
Janai is the sacred thread worn by Hindus. Among the Hindu
men some castes like Brahmins, Chhetris and some of the
castes in Newar community, after undergoing a ritual called
Bratabandha, wear Janai around their body, which is
sanctified with various chants, believed to protect oneself
from any evil. On Janai Poornima, the festival dedicated to
Lord Shiva, Hindus bathe in Ganga, a holy river, and then
the men change their janai sacred threads. A Brahmin should
then tie a thread around their right wrist. Women bathe in
Ganga and tie this sacred thread on their left wrists. The
major areas of celebration of this festival are Gosainkunda
in the Himalayas and Kumbheshwar Mahadev temple in Patan
where the sculpture of Lord Shiva is placed on a platform in
the middle of the pond created by blocking the waterspouts.
It is believed that the water that flows from the
waterspouts of Kumbeshwar come directly from Gosainkunda.
Gai Jatra (Aug 10)
Gai Jatra is Hindu festival dedicated to the departed souls.
The children of families who have lost a loved one that
year, disguise themselves as cow and pay a visit to temples
around the city where they are given food and offerings. In
Hinduism cows are sacred, believed to be the symbol of the
Goddess Laxmi, goddess of wealth. So, feeding cow is seen as
auspicious. For others, this is a procession of cows
followed by people wearing funny attires, mask dancers and
others. It is celebrated around the Kathmandu Valley
especially in Kathmandu’s city center, Patan and Bhaktapur.
This festival came during the reign of King Jaya Prakash
Malla, when the Queen lost her son and felt into the depths
of mourning. In spite of the King’s rationale, that life and
death are the course of nature; the Queen could not accept
it and becomes weaker and more engaged in misery. To prove
to his Queen that everyone suffers from a loss of a loved
one, the King commanded his people to start a procession to
worship Yamaraj, god of death, who would thus take care of
the departed souls.
Mataya (Aug 11)
Matayaa is a day-long local festival in Patan held the day
after Gaijatra. Devotees process to all the Buddhist sutpas
in the city, tossing rice grains, flowers and lighting
candles. As on the day of Gaijatra, some people wear funny
attires on this day, and masked dancers participate
throughout the procession.
Krishnashtami (Aug15)
Lord Krishna, who taught warrior Arjun the value of karma in
the Bhagwat Gita, was born in the mid-night on the eighth
day of the dark full moon of August. To celebrate the
birthday of this much loved Hindu God, devotees flock to the
Krishna Mandir at Patan Durbar Square on the preceeding day.
There, men and women from far away gather around the 17th
century temple and sit in vigil waiting for the mid night
hour. Euphoric prayers and incanations fill the air, and
small oil lamps are lit as a mark of felicitation and
devotion to the Lord. Images of Lord Krishna are also
carried around the city in a procession accompanied by
joyous crowds of followers and musical bands.
Bhimsen Jatra
On this day, the image of business and prosperity, Bhimsen,
is removed from his temple in Patan Durbar Square and
carried around the city in a palanquin. Businessmen from
Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Patan accompany the palanquin
carrying burning incense and torches in their hands. A
musical band playing special musical leads the procession
which starts around 8 pm at the Durbar Square and passes
through Sundhara, Okubahal, Ikhalakhu, Purnachandi, Nakabahi,
Kumbheswor and finally back to the Durbar Square.
Panja-daan
Panja-daan or the auspicious rice offering festival is a
Buddhist festival of charity. On this day, daily essentials
like rice, paddy, beans, wheat, salt, broom, needle and
thread-rope and raw sugar are offered to Buddhist monks and
to the priestly castes in the Newar Buddhists. The festival
honors the practice of monks going around begging alms from
the laity besides emphasizing the duty of house holders to
give to those who have abandoned worldly possessions. The
faithful also gather at Swayambhu and major Buddhist
courtyards around the valley to make donations.
Kushe Aunshi (Aug 23)
Kushe aunshi also known as Gokarna aunshi is the father's
day. Sons and daughters offer ritual food, sweet, meats and
other gifts to their fathers. The streets are a happy scene
of married daughters making their way to their parents'
houses with loads of delicacies. After offering the gifts,
they touch the feet of their father with their foreheads in
veneration. The ceremony is also known as 'babuko mukh herne
din' meaning day of looking upon father's face.
Those who have lost their fathers visit Gokarna and other
sacred places where they conduct puja and offer “Pinda” –
food for the departed soul praying for his eternal peace.
There they also perform anniversary rituals and make
offerings to the Brahmin priests. It is believed that if a
son offers Pinda at a holy pond of Gokarna having conducted
puja, his departed father will eat it and find peace.
Haritalika/Teej (Aug 26)
The festival combines sumptuous feasts and tormenting fasts.
On the first day of the three-day celebrations, groups of
women, both married and unmarried, congregate at one place
in their finest attires. Amidst laughter, songs and music,
the grand feast begins. The merry making goes on till mid
night, from which time onwards the women will undergo a
24-hour fast.
The next day sees these women, in their crimson saris,
singing and dancing in the streets leading to Shiva shrines.
The main activities revolve round the Pashupati temple in
Kathmandu where the devotees, as a mark of total devotion to
Shiva the destroyer, circumambulate the lingam, the phallic
symbol of the almighty, offer him flowers, sweets and coins.
The married ones pray for their husband's longevity,
progress and prosperity, and those yet to tie the knot ask
for good husband.
The third and the last day of the festival is called Rishi
Panchami. On this day, the women who have undergone the
agonizing fast pay homage to various deities situated on the
banks of sacred rivers.
Chatha
Chatha is the day exclusively allocated to Lord Ganesh.
Households here, as a rule, commence the day with the
propitiation of Lord Ganesh. On the day of Chatha festival,
the ceremony is extra special. Early in the morning, women
with trays containing rice, vermillion, flowers and coins
visit Ganesh shrines in their neighborhood and offer
worship. Celebration of Chatha is mainly an outdoor affair.
All the family members congregate in the family worship room
to adore Ganesh with profuse offerings and oblations.
Indra Jatra
The fields have been planted, the monsoon is drawing to an
end, and the season of harvest is coming up. Now is the time
to be grateful to Indra, Lord of heaven, who gave the
monsoon rains to the Kathmandu Valley farmers. In one of the
most colorful festivals in the valley, residents carry out
an eight-day celebration fit to flatter the King of heaven.
This festival was commenced by King Jaya Prakash Malla in
the medieval era to commemorate his victory over Patan. A
temple of Lord Indra is situated in Kathmandu popularly
known as Indra Chowk. A chariot procession carrying the
images of Lord Indra, Lord Ganesh and Godess Kumari – the
living goddess is carried around Kathmandu Durbar Square for
a day that is observed by thousands of devotees including
His Majesty the King and Queen.
Neel Barahai Pyakhan
Neel Barahi Pyakhan, Neel Barahi dance is a local festival
of Bode, a place near to Thimi, 8km east of Kathmandu,
dedicated to Neel Barahi, the incarnation of Goddess Durga,
consort to Lord Shiva. It is a masked dance performed for
four consecutive days during the month of August or
September. Nineteen dancers represent the city guardians and
a local orchestra plays traditional music. It is believed
that this festival calls for peace and harmony between
people. The temple of Neel Barahi is located in a jungle
outside Bode.
Dashain (Sep 23- Oct 6)
Dashain is the biggest festival of Nepalese. It is a time
for families to reunite and celebrate the victories of
Goddess Durga over the demons Sur and Mahisasur and of Lord
Ram over the demon Rawan. It is believed that on this day –
Dashain, the tenth day of the war between God and demons,
god had victory, winning justice upon injustice. This is the
longest Nepalese festival going on for fifteen days. Temples
of the goddess Durga are visited, and sacrifice of Goats,
Cocks, Ducks and Buffalos are offered to the deity.
Tihar (Oct 20-24)
Another big festival of Hindus, Tihar also known as
Deepawali is a festival of lights when Nepal is lit up with
oil lamps, candles and electric lights. Tihar starts with
Kaag tihar, when the crow is worshipped and offered food
followed by Kukur tihar, the day when dogs are worshipped,
then comes Laxmi Puja, the third and main day of Tihar when
the goddess Laxmi, goddess of wealth and consort of Lord
Vishnu is worshipped. From this day people decorate their
houses with garlands, purify the entrance with red soil and
cow dung, putting auspicious signs on the entrance of the
house. Footsteps of goddess Laxmi are made with rice paste
starting from the home entrance to the room where the image
of the goddess is established symbolizing that the goddess
has visited ones home. During the evening, after conducting
a puja or ritual, oil lamps and candles are lit up to
welcome the arrival of the goddess. Laxmi Puja is followed
by Gobardhan puja when the cow and its dung are worshipped -
Hindus believe cow dung to be sacred. This very fourth day
is also the New Year's Day in the Nepal Era. To mark the New
Year's Day, a long procession of vehicles circle around the
Kathmandu valley all day long. This very day also happens to
be Mha Puja meaning body-worship day in the Newar community.
On this day the Newar people worship their body for their
good health for the coming year. The last day of Tihar is
Bhaitika – brother’s day when sisters put tika on their
brothers and worship Yamaraj, god of death, praying for the
long and healthy life of their brothers.
Chhath Parva (Oct 28)
One of the most important festivals for the people of Terai,
Chhath is the festival to worship the sun. A large number of
devotees are seen to be taking dip in the water of rivers or
ponds on this day.
Bala Chaturdashi (Nov 19)
This simple festive day takes place in the ancient forest
surrounding the Pashupatinath Temple. It is one of the
oldest traditions of the valley. Families who have lost a
loved one in the last year keep an all night vigil in the
forest, lighting oil-lamps and singing songs. Following a
ritual bath, people walk through the forest, scattering
seven types of grains along the path and Over the Linga of
Lord Shiva to give merit to their late kinsmen and to
cleanse the sins of a mythological man called Bala who had
transformed into a demon.
Bibah Panchami (Nov 25)
All the people in belonging to the Hidu religion know the
story of the marriage of the Lord Ram and the Princess Sita,
as told in the epic Ramayan. King Janak, Sita's father,
proposed a test of strength for the suitors of his
daughters: To string the great bow of Lord Shiva. Warriors,
Kings and Chieftains came from afar, but no man could even
lift the bow. Ram lifted the bow with ease and when he tried
to string it, the bow shattered into pieces. Ram and Sita
were married in Janakpur, which lies in the southern Nepal,
and their marriage is celebrated to this day. Each year,
idols of Ram and Sita are brought out in procession and
their Hindu wedding ceremony is re-enacted during a week
long religious fair. Bibah Panchami reflects the devotion of
Hindus to Ram, perhaps the most sincere and just among the
incarnation of Vishnu, and to Sita, the model of ideal Hindu
woman.
