Festivals of Nepal

Festivals are a prominent aspect of Nepalese life style and different types of festivals are observed throughout the year. It is said that Nepalese people observe more festivals than there are days in the year. Most of the Nepalese festivals are of religious as well as social values and either of the Hindu and the Buddhist origin are celebrated in common by the people with enthusiasm Some of the major and interesting festivals celebrated all over the country are like Navabarsha (Nepalese New Year day in the second week of April), Baisakh Poornima (to pay homage to Lord Buddha in April May), Gaijatra (cow festival in July ?August), Krishna Astami the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna in July ? August), Teej (in August ? September), Dashain (Durga Puja in September ? October), Tihar ( festival of lights in October ?November), Maghe Sankranti ( in Mid January), Shree Panchami (in February), Fagu (in March) etc.Some of the festivals which are celebrated by different ethnic groups according to their religion and social cultural values like, Mani Rimdu, Losar, Chhath, Ramjaan, Christmas and so on. Some of the festivals which are celebrated by different ethnic groups according to their religion and social cultural values like, Mani Rimdhu, Losar, Chhath, Ramjaan, Christmas and so on.

Bala Chaturdasi (December):

This simple, festive day takes place in the ancient forest surrounding the temple of Pashupatinath. It is one of the oldest traditions of the Valley. Families who have lost a loved one in the last year keep an aIl night vigil in the forest, lighting oil lamps and singing songs. FoIIowing a ritual morning bath, people walk through the forest, scattering seven types of grain along the paths and over the linga of Lord Shiva to give merit to their latekinsmen and to cleanse the sins of a mythological man called Bala who had been transformed into demon.

Bibah Panchami (December):

AIl the people of the Hindu world know the story of the marriage of their hero Ram and the princess Sita, as told in the epic Ramayana. King Janak, Sita's father, proposed a test of strength for the suitors of his daughter: to string the great bow of Lord Shiva. Warriors, kings and chieftains came from far, 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, now in 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 popular among the incarnations of Vishnu, and to Sita, the model of the ideal Hindu woman.

Biska Jatra (April):

During this important festival, the old kingdom of Bhaktapur and its neighboring areas replay a drama passed on over the centuries. Images of wrathful and somewhat demonic deities are placed on tottering chariots. They are offered blood sacrifices, flowers. Men brimming with youthful vigor and rice beer drag the chariots across brick-paved streets of the town, and wherever these raths stop, lamps are lit and devotees overflow into the surrounding alleys. Other gods and goddesses, too, are put on palanquins and carried around so that they may see the sight. At Bode village, there is a tongue-boring ceremony in which the dedicated may reserve a place in heaven.

Buddha Jayanti (May):

The ever benevolent Buddha was born in Nepal, and the religion he preached is the, second most popular in the kingdom. On May 6, a full moon day, the Lord's birth, enlightenment, and salvation are applauded throughout the valley with celebrations. Swayambhu and Boudhanath Stupas are prepared for the oncoming festivities several days in advance. Monasteries are cleaned, statues are polished, bright prayer flags waft in the breeze, and monks prepare to dance. On the Jayanti day, people reach the Stupas before dawn, go around them and give offerings to the many Buddha images there.

Chaitra Dasain (March-April):

Red vermillion powder, family blessings, and goat and duck sacrifices are essential to praise the victory of Ram, hero of the epic Ramayana, over the evil king Ravan. Mother Goddess Durga, the source of all power, must be supplicated too for her powers that helped Ram achieve his victory.

Dasain (October):

Dasain is the longest and most favourite festival of Nepal.Dasain is dedicated to the Goddess Durga ( therefore it is also called " Durga Puja" ) . Dasain commemorates Durga's victory over the demon- buffalo "Mahisasura. Dasain also commemorates the victory of the Hindu hero Rama over the demon-king Ravana. Everyone stays home with their families and offices close. The skies of Kathmandu are filled with kites and the marketplaces are filled with farmers bringing their buffaloes, goats and chicken to sell. The animals are to be sacrificed on the night of Kal Ratri to the goddess Durga to celebrate her victory over evil. On the day of Dashami, everyone puts on new clothes and goes to honor their family elders, where they receive large red tikas of vermilion paste on their foreheads. In the following days of Dasain, families and friends unite, feasts are consumed, blessings are imparted and gifts are exchanged. Nepal's most beloved festival ends with the full moon.

Ghanta Mukha:

Ghanta mukha (known variously as gathemangal or ghantakarna) is when evil spirits are banished outside the city limits. In the Kathmandu valley, effigies of the ghanta-mukha demon are erected at street intersections. A man wearing war paints goes about begging for money. At ht end of the day, the effigy is taken down .The painted man is made to sit on it, and the neighborhood kids drag it away to the river. In Bhaktapur the effigy is burnt in the city. Householders also place pots of cooked rice at the cross roads as food for the demons. Nails are hammered into the doors lintels because the spooks are supposed to be terrified of iron.

Ghode Jatra (April):

Visitors are often amazed by the fine horses of the Nepalese army, and Ghode Jatra is a time for the most graceful of these animals to perform before the public eye. Legends relate that this "horse festival" was begun after the Kathmandu people buried a demon under the soil of Tundikhel show grounds. They say that he may rise again and cause worry to the world if he is not trampled on by horses each year. So every spring, this victory over evil is celebrated in the Valley by organizing palanquin processions and grand display of show jumping, motorcycling feats, and gymnastics. Their Majesties the King and Queen, the Living Goddess Kumari, and thousands of people from all over the country are a part of the jatra audience.

Holi (February-March):

Holi, also known as the festival of colors is celebrated across the country for eight days; it marks the happy demise of holika, a malevolent demoness, at the hands of Lord Bishnu. Revelers mark the occasion by smearing colored kumkum powder and throwing colored water at each other. In Kathmandu, a ceremonial pole (chir) is raised in front of the Kumarichhen at Durbar Square to announce the beginning of the revelry. The person, decorated with fluttering strips of colored cloth, is pulled up amid the cheering of the crowd gathered around. Gunfire and traditional music echo in the air. The colorful strips of cloth are said to symbolize the divine flames that turned holika and her demonic intentions into ashes. Also on the full moon night of holi, jyapu farmers of Kathmandu leave a feast of rice in the middle of the tundikhel parade ground for the giant gurumapa. Long long ago 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.

Indra Jatra (September):

Indra, King of Heaven and controller of the rains, has once again blessed the Valley. As the end of the monsoon nears, farmers look forward to a rich harvest everyone is grateful to the deva for his help. For eight days, Katmandu's Durbar Square is the focus of a great celebration fit to "flatter the King of Heaven". Indra's Dhwaj or flag is erected on the first day.It is said that many centuries ago, Indra's mother needed specially scented flowers but could not find them in heaven's gardens. Indra discovered parijat flowers in the Kathmandu Valley and tried to steal them for his mother. He was caught and imprisoned by the Valley people. When Indra's mother came searching for him the people were appalled by what they had done. They released Indra and dedicated one of the most colorful festivals of Nepal to him to appease his anger. Masks and statues representing Vishnu, Bhairab, and Shiva are shown to the public and the Goddess Kumari witnesses the special occasion from her chariot. Indra is thanked for the rains and assured once again that he is respected in the Kathmandu Valley.

JANAI PURNIMA (August):

Janai Purnima is the day when Hindus change the e lanai, the sacred thread the men wear on their chests. This full moon day sees flocks of Brahmins (Hindu priests) at the holy riverbanks. They take ritual dips in the water and change their holy threads and also tie yellow sacred threads around the wrists of the faithful. Newars mark the festival, as gunhi punhi kwati a soup of nine different beans, is the special menu of the day. In Patan a decorated lingam, the phallic symbol of Lord Shiva, is placed in the middle of the Kumbheswar pond. The water here is said to come from Gosaikunda Lake. Jhankris (village faith healers) pertapur a procession known as jujuya ghintang-gishi goes around town in the evening.

Krishnasthami (August):

Lord Krishna, the good who taught warrior Arjuna the value of karma in the Bhagwad Gita, was born at midnight on the 4 eighth day of the dark moon of August. To celebrate the birthday of this Hindu god devotes flock to the Krishna mandir at Patan Durbar Square on the preceding day. There, men and women from far away gather around the 17th -century temple and sit in vigil waiting for the midnight hour. Euphoric prayers. And small oil lamps are lit as a mark of felicitation and devotion to the deity. Images of Lord Krishna are also carried around the city in a procession accompanied by joyous followers and musical bands.

Maha Shivaratri (February):

Shivratri or the Night of Lord Shiva is observed in February - March. It is celebrated in honor of Lord Shiva. A great religious fair takes place in the Pashupatinath Temple and thousands of people from all over Nepal and India flock to the temple to worship Lords Shiva.

Mani Rimdhu (October):

Mani Rimdhu is a Sherpa festival celebrated during the fall at Tengboche Monastery in the Everest region. For five days, Lamas and Sherpa gather for "the good of the world". There are plays, masked dances, prayers, and feastings. Demons are quelled and the pious rewarded. The days are colorful and trips to the Everest region are very rewarding indeed if they can be organized during the days of the festival.

Nag Panchami:

In Hinduism the nag (divine serpent) is glorified as the giver of rain. On the day of nag panchami, devotees paste pictures pf the nag over their doorways and pay homage to it. Pilgrims throng Taudha (meaning big lake) 6 km south west of Kathmandu. There they worship karkotak nag, the serpent king. Karkotak moved to this dwelling after lord manjushree drained the Kathmandu valley, which used to be a lake, by slicing a passage through the hills at chobhar. Naghada Lake in the south of the valley is another destination for pilgrims where they offer worship to the serpent-gods.

New Year's Day (April):

The Bikram Era is Nepal's official calendar. This solar calendar was started by King Bikramditya. The New Year 2057 of the Bikram Era corresponds to 2000-2001 of the Christan Era. New Year's Day is an official holiday. Devotees visit the Pashupati temple to take a dip in the holy Bagmati River. Pilgrims also visit other religious spots and spend the day picnicking. It is a day to seek blessings from family priest and one's elders as well.

Rato Machhendranath (May):

Until a few decades ago, before the Kathmandu VaIIey became a purely commercial hub, it was an agricultural land which depended upon the rainy monsoon for its important rice crop. Today, though traditional farming practices have reduced, the pre-monsoon season still sees great worship made to Red Machhendranath - a rain god. Patan's streets and palace complex are made even more evocative by wavering lamp and candle lights; women busy cooking feasts, and men gathering strength to pull the chariot of their red deity. As Lord Machhendranath views his followers from the high seat of his chariot, its four wheels - representing the powerful Bhairab - receive rice and vermilion powder, the king of serpents is asked for blessings, and his jeweled vest is shown to the public.

Swasthani Puja (January - February):

Goddess Swasthani's three eyes burn like the sun. She is the ultimate gift grantor; if insulted, she can make life miserable. By worshipping Swasthani, Parbati attained Lord Shiva as her husband. In the worship rites of Goddess Swasthani, outlined by Parbati, the Swasthani scripture is read every evening for a month. Worshipping Swasthani will bring together parted relations, remove curses, and result in limitless gifts.

Teej (September):

Pashupati, the temple of Shiva, is drenched in crimson during Teej as women in their fine red wedding saris crowd the temple grounds. This unique women's festival is marked by fasting, folk songs, and dancing as the women recall Parbati's devotion to her husband Shiva. Married women visit their fathers' homes. All daughters and sisters receive gifts from their male ancestors, and feast is prepared for them. It's a loud and cheerful celebration until late at night, when strict fasting discontinues.Unmarried women who fast on this day will have good luck in finding suitable husband. Married women who fast will find their husbands faithful and will see the bond of love grow. The blessings of Shiva and Parbati ensure that family life will be joyous for all.

Tihar (November):

Tihar, known as the Festival of Lights, is a time of candlelight, tinsel decorations and festive colored sweets:. On different days, there are offerings and small celebrations for crows, dogs, cows and oxen. On the night of Lakshmi Puja, garlands are hung and lamps are lighted to invite Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth into the home i.e. it is also know as Lakshmi's Puja. Ther are many legends connected with Goddess Lakshmi with the God of the realm of the dead, Yama, with the various animals that are going to be honored, lastly with the lights dominating everythings. Maha Puja, the New Year's Day according to the Nepal Era is the day of the self, when people give themselves blessings to remain healthy and happy for the rest of the year. Bhai Tika, the last day of Tihar, is the day when sisters make offerings to their brothers. The rituals of breaking a walnut, putting on garlands of makhamali flowers and encircling brothers in rings of mustard oil Protects them from Yama.

Yomari Punhi (December):

As the new rice is brought in, the farmers of the Valley prepare for Yomari Punhi, an offering to the gods in thanks for the abundant harvest. The yomari is a special cake made from the flour of new rice. A shell of dough is filled with melted raw sugar and sealed. After the cake is steamed, it is presented to the gods as offering. Later it is eaten as blessed food. Thus each year, when the storerooms are full and the farmer's toil has been rewarded, the gods are thanked for their benevolence and generosity.