Nepal Festivals
Festivals are not just visual spectacles for the Nepalese, but also an important aspect of their cultural tradition and custom. Nepal’s festivals are also special because of their inclusiveness. They unite the people belonging to different castes, creeds, beliefs and cultural/financial backgrounds, making them an integral part of one big, happy family called Nepal. Many festivals fall on different dates (even months) each year as they are based on Nepali calendar. These festivals are related to different Buddhist and Hindu deities.
Mata Tirtha Puja (Mother's Day)
Mata Tirtha Puja" (Mother's Day), one of the most fervently-celebrated festivals in the country falling on a full moon night in the month of Nepali New Year (Baisakh in April/May). One celebrates Mata Tirtha Puja by paying obeisance to their mothers for their relentless, unconditional love. Legend has it that a cowherd king rules the region during ancient times. One of the cowherds got so despondent by his mother's death that he made a prayer offering at a water pond in a nearby forest. He was pleasantly surprised when his mother's face miraculously appeared on the water, with her hand accepting his offerings. It is in this context that the festival is called Mata Tirtha Puja, wherein people long for their mother's face.
Every house member, regardless of their age, celebrates this unique festival with boisterous vibrancy. Its beauty lies in the absence of rituals. Even little kids celebrate the way they choose to. Those living separately visit their mothers on this day and shower them with gifts and sweets. The entire day is filled with excitement, festivities, delicacies and joyfulness to celebrate the spirit of Motherhood.
Ghantakarna Chaturdasi
The Nepalese festival of Ghantakarna Chaturdasi falls on the end of the month of Sravan (July/August), commemorating the exorcism of Ghantakarna, a mythical demon. According to popular legend, the much-feared Ghantakarna was a big bully. He adorned bells on his ears and made a loud noise frequently. People tried different ways to get succour from him but to no avail. One day, God disguised as a frog and started croaking at Ghantakarna’s residence, which annoyed him. He came out to kill the frog, which soon led him to a water-body and soon jumped right in. In anger, the demon too jumped into the muddy water but was soon surrounded by the clever frog which surmounted on his head and made him drown.
The Nepalese celebrate the festival by performing drama on streets. People collect money from people and prepare an effigy of Ghantakarna in a tent made from bamboo poles. Then, someone impersonates the demon by smearing white paint upon all over himself, roaming all over the place to collect donation. The proceeds are used to buy firewood and burn the effigy in a nearby river for keeping the demon’s soul at bay.
Janai Purnima, Rakshya Bandhan,Khumbeshwor Mela Patan
Janai Purnima, also known as Rakshya Bandhan and Khumbeshwor Mela Patan is celebrated on a full moon night in August when Hindus belonging to higher castes (Brahmin and Chettris) change their Holy thread, referred to as Janai, while chanting the Gayatri Mantra. Also, Hindus and Buddhists, irrespective of their caste, men, tie a yellow cotton-made protection thread around their wrists, which is also known as Raksha Bandhan, or bond of protection. This sacred thread is tied only by men during a traditional ceremony named the 'Bratabandhan', and is known to bring them good luck. The Janai is worn every day henceforth, and comprises of a triple cord symbolizing speech, body and mind.
Meanwhile many Nepali pilgrims visit the mountains located near Kathmandu to worship Lord Shiva by dipping in the Holy Gosaikunda Lake. Those who are unable to make this journey can pay obeisance at the Kumbheshwor Mahadev temple wherein an image of Lord Shiva is filled with sacred water that is believed to have been taken from Gosaikunda.
Gai Jatra
Gai Jatra is one of the most popular Nepalese festivals celebrated during the month of Bhadra (August/September). It has its origin in pr-historic ages when people feared and worshipped the ‘God of Death’, Yamraj. According to the ancient tradition, each family which has lost a member during the past one year leads a cow to commemorate the procession taken out in the streets. People strongly believe that this symbolic gesture would take the deceased’s soul into Heaven. In the absence of a real cow, a young lad is chosen to adorn its attire to move the tradition forward. Cow is not only Nepal’s national animal, but also a venerated animal for Hindus as a community.
Upon the completion of procession, people participate in another function wherein they wear colorful masks. Despite the sombre nature of this festival, Nepalese people have associated it with humour, satire, mockery and jokes. In fact, political activists use Gai Jatra as a platform to expose the economic and political ailments of the society. If you’d ever wanted to make a mockery of someone and get away with it, this is the day to do it!
Shree Krishna Janmastami
The glorious festival of Shree Krishna Janmashtmi, also known as Krishna Jayanti or Goukulasthmi, commemorates the birth of Shree Krishna, who is considered to be the 8th incarnation of India’s second major God Lord Vishnu (along with Bramha and Shiva). Lord Krishna was born to Devaki Devi and King Vasudeva in the ‘Hindu month of Bhadrapada, which falls in August-September.
Janmasthmi is one of the most popular festivals for Hindus since unlike other gods, Lord Krishna manifested all joys/aspects of life in its entirety, including mischievous childhood, love and romance. Devotees celebrate Sri Krishna Jayanti with utmost enthusiasm and grandeur by observing fast, wearing new clothes, making sweets, visiting temples and singing devotional songs. They exchange greetings with their near and dear ones during evenings and break their fast usually after midnight. Children in particular, have a great time as it gives them one more excuse not to study!
On a serious note, Krishna Janmashthmi signifies his life’s message that Dharma (Righteousness) must be upheld at all times.
Gokarna Aunsi
What better way to show the much-deserved love and reverence for your father than through the festival of Gokarna Aunsi (Father Day), celebrated in Nepal on the ‘dark’ fortnight of August or September.
According to a popular legend, Lord Shiva assumed the form of a (one-horned) golden deer and hid himself from mankind. Disturbed by the growing sins of earth, Lord Indra, Lord Bramha and Lord Vishnu went in his pursuit. Lord Shiva’s disguise was eventually unravelled by a goddess after which, all three Gods grabbed the deer’s horn which burst into pieces. Shiva then directed them to set up the horn into their own worlds. Vishnu enshrined his portion in Vaikuntha, Brahma in Gokarneshwor and Indra in heaven. Next day, the Gods sand Goddess bathed in the Bagmati River to pay tribute to Shiva. This marks the tradition of ancestor worship.
It is a day when children spend quality time with their fathers, showering them with gifts, delicacies and other tangible expressions of gratitude. Gokarna Aunsi endeavours to strengthen family ties by uniting the members.
Teej Ko Darkhane Din
Teej is the fasting festival for Hindus falling in August or September. The first day of the three-day long festival is called ‘Dar Khane Din’, wherein a group of women assemble and pay obeisance to Goddess Parvati for her relentless devotion to her husband, Lord Shiva. The festival is unique in that it combines stern fasting with great delicacies. On the first day, women pray for the material and spiritual well being of their spouse/children, dance merrily and also sing devotional songs. The day concludes with a sumptuous feast. Even unmarried women can take part in the festivities.
Actual fasting occurs on the second day. In fact, staunch devotees even refrain from swallowing their saliva for as long as 24 hours, although most others take liquid/fruit diet. They spend the entire day singing songs, praying and visiting Shiva temple (especially Pashupathi Temple) to offer sweets, flowers and coins. The women also light an oil lamp which must be lit throughout the night.
Richi Panchami is the third day where women worship deities and also take bath with red mud and the leaves of Datiwan bush as a purification act to purge their sins.
Indrajatra
IndraJatra is celebrated fervently by Hindus and Buddhists during the Bhadra month (August/September). It is named after Lord Indra, who is also known as the Rain God and The King of Heaven. IndraJatra is celebrated immediately after monsoon season to thank Lord Indra for blessing farmers and agriculturists with a good harvest. Devotees raise a flag or ‘Indra Dhwaj’, which is attributed to an interesting story.
Legend has it that Indra's mother once was unable to trace a particular flower in the heavenly gardens. Indra came searching all the way to Kathmandu, and found parijit flowers. He tried to take some away but was arrested by villagers who mistook him for a thief. However, when Indra’s mother came to seek him, the villagers got so scared that they started celebrating IndraJatra to appease him.
The vibrant festival includes eight eventful days of mask dancing, singing and celebration. Even the King of Nepal pays ode to Goddess Kumari on the first day whose chariot is taken out on the streets of Kathmandu.
Dashain Holidays
Also known as the Durga Puja, Dashain is the longest and most popular Hindu festival in Nepal. Falling on the month of Karthik (September/October), the festival is celebrated for fifteen joyous days, ending on the full moon day. The speciality of Dashain can be gauged from the fact that people from all castes celebrate it together. Every home in rural and urban Nepal glistens with vibrancy, excitement and hope!
Dashain Holidays are dedicated to the idol of Goddess Shakti, and she receives obeisance for 10 days. Drinking, dancing, processions and music accompany the worship throughout. If you were ever holding a grudge against anybody, this is a great time to reconcile. Religious ceremonies occur with devotion on all ten days. On the first day, most homes plant a seed called Ghatasthapana and pray for its good growth
It is also common for people to sacrifice bulls/goats as a blood offering to the Goddess. It is believed that if the scarified blood is smeared on any vehicle, it would not meet with any fatal accident. A special puja is performed on the last day wherein the rice used is the seed planted on the first day.
Taya Macha
Taya Macha is a festival dance that is performed as a part of the festivities of Gai Jatra (which literally means “procession of cows”). It is believed that this dance helps to bring peace to the souls who have departed in the last one year. The Taya Macha dance is performed only in the city of Pokhara. It was brought to this beautiful city by Newars who had migrated to the city many centuries ago.
In this dance, there are five dancers who are accompanied by musicians. Among the five dancers, four are dressed up as angels, and the fifth dancer is dressed up as a clown. This festival dance borrows its roots from the valley of Kathmandu. The Gai Jatra festival is celebrated in the month of Bhadra according to the Nepalese calendar. Bhadra, according to the calendar that we follow, takes its days from August-September. While visiting Nepal during this time, ensure to catch the entertaining Taya Macha dance.
Tansen Jatra
Tansen Jatra is the name of the week long festivities that are celebrated in the town of Tansen which is located in central Nepal. Tansen Jatra literally means “procession of Tansen”. On the first day of the festivities, Hindus replace their sacred thread with a new one. This day is called Janai Purnima. The day next to this is known as Gai Jatra, which means “procession of cows”. On this day, cow figures made from cloth and bamboo are paraded in the town with huge pomp and show.
The festivities come to an end with Bhagawati Jatra which means “procession of goddesses”. As the name suggests, on this day, a procession of the protective goddess of the Tansen is carried through the town. On the other days of the Tansen Jatra festivities, rice are planted on the streets, Hindu gods are carried in a procession through the town in beautifully decorated palanquins.
Tamu Dhee
The festival of Tamu Dhee is celebrated in the town of Pokhara in the month of August. This festival is celebrated to protect one’s farms and animals from negative influences and evil spirits. To do this, the whole neighborhood is ‘cleansed’ by taking a procession through it. In this procession, groups of dancers and other people visit homes of the people in the local neighborhood and make everybody the part of the festivities. The participants of this parade often have their faces covered with soot and their heads covered in headdresses made of feather.
As can be guessed from the description, the festival of Tamu Dhee is a rather colorful and loud festival that envelops the whole town. For the locals, this festival holds tremendous importance, while, for the visitors, the celebrations of Tamu Dhee become an extremely fascinating sight.
Sita Vivaha Panchami
According to Hindu mythology, Lord Rama, an important Hindu god and the hero of the holy Ramayana, came to the city of Janakpur to marry Sita. The kingdom of Janakpur belonged to Sita’s father, King Janak. It is believed that Rama and Sita wedded on the fifth day after Ashwin’s new moon. To commemorate the wedding, idols of Sita and Rama are carried through the town of Janakpur in a procession. The whole town celebrates this festival with huge pomp and show as the holy wedding is enacted with proper rituals and ceremonies.
Since India has a large population of Hindus, an incredibly large number of Hindu devotees from India visit Nepal at this time of the year. Sita Vivaha Panchami is not a one day festival. In fact, the celebrations go on for one whole week as the town hosts a big religious fair with a large number of food and decorative stalls.
Rath Yatra
Rath Yatra literally means “a chariot procession”. It is a festival that is celebrated in the town of Biratnagar that finds itself in the south-eastern part of Nepal. Rath Yatra is celebrated to commemorate the birth of Lord Krishna, an important God of Hindus and an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. In the yatra or procession, a six-meter high chariot carrying the images of Lord Krishna and Radha is carried through the town by Hindu devotees.
The procession starts from the Radha Krishna Temple. In fact, the Rath Yatra celebrations began only in the year 1932, when the Radha Krishna temple was built. This festival of Rath Yatra falls in the months of August/September of the Gregorian calendar. If you are visiting Nepal during these months, it is heavily recommended that you plan your trip in such a manner that you are able to take part in the festivities of Rath Yatra.
Neel Barahi Pyakhan
Neel Barahi is a ferocious form of the Goddess. The goddess is depicted with an animal head. Neel means the color blue and symbolizes destruction according to the local myth. Thus, Neel Barahi is that ferocious form of the Goddess that saves the people and town from destruction and evil influences and brings peace and harmony in the town.
A temple of this deity is situated outside the town of Bode in a jungle. Neel Barahi Pyakhan is a four day festival that is celebrated in the town of Bode to please the deity. During the four day celebrations, nineteen dancers dance to traditional music played by an orchestra of twenty-seven pieces. The town of Bode is not very far from the capital city Kathmandu, the distance is not above 10 km. So, festivities of Neel Barahi Pakhan are easily accessible if you are in Kathmandu in the months of August/September.
Mani Rimdu
Mani Rindu is the biggest festival of Khumbu region’s Sherpas. The festivities of Mani Khundu take place in the monastery of Thyangboche Gompa. The occasion of Mani Rimdu is observed over three days of celebrations.
On the first day, firstly a horn is blown to signify the beginning of the Mani Rimdu celebrations. After this, the head monk accompanied by the other monks of the abbey chants prayers. The Sherpa devotees present are blessed with holy water and are given religious pellets. The beginning of the second day of celebrations is announced by an orchestra of horns, cymbals, conch shells and flutes. On this day, elaborately masked monks dressed in colorful bright cloths perform traditional dances to enact the annihilation of evil. On the third and the last day, dough figures called tormas are cast away in a holy fire. The destruction of these figures symbolizes the termination of evil influences and also marks the beginning of a happy new year.
Rato Macchendranath Jatra
Rato Machhendranath Jatra is an extremely important festival of the town of Patan. Its festivities and celebrations go on for many days, during which the town remains abuzz with a festive spirit and energy. Rato Macchendranath refers to Lokeshwar’s red Tantric expression and Jatra means “a procession”. So, in this festival, a procession of Rato Macchendranath is carried through the town of Patan.
The chariot used in procession is a special one as it carries a nearly ten meter tall spire made from bamboo. This special chariot is constructed near the site of Ashoka Stupa at a location called Pulchowk. After the chariot has been constructed, devotees carry it through the streets of Patan. This procession goes slowly and reaches its destination, which is a big field near the zoo, after about a month. During the jatra, utmost care is taken of the spire, as it is believed that in case it falls, destruction would come upon the town.
Mata-yaa
The festival of Mata-yaa is an important Buddhist festival that is celebrated in the month of August in the beautiful town of Patan. Patan has many Buddhist sites that are scattered all over the town. On the occasion of Mata-yaa, a large number of Buddhist devotees go through the town in a colorful procession. The procession stops at all the Buddhist courtyards of Patan, where the devotees offer prayers at the shrines. Flowers and rice-grains are presented at the shrines. Some devotees also present coins.
The procession that goes through the town is what makes this festival special. The devotees taking part carry joss sticks and lighted tapers with them. Some of them participate in the festivities wearing beautiful elaborate traditional costumes as well. The procession meanders through the town with loud traditional music so that everybody can become a part of the celebrations and so that the entire town gets immersed in a festive mood.
Gaura Parva
Gaura Parva is another inclusion to the long list of vibrant festivals celebrated in Nepal. Falling on the month of Bhadra (August or September), Gaura Parva is a widely followed in remembrance of the marriage between Lord Maheswore (an incarnation of Shiva) and Goddess Gaura, one of the many manifestations of Parbati. In essence, the festival acknowledges the spirit of love and the sanctity of wedding. It is also a great occasion to reiterate your commitment to your better half and renew your marital vows, albeit unofficially!
Gaura Parva is celebrated in many regions of Nepal for six eventful days. It assumes great importance for women, who pray sincerely for the longevity of their married life. They fast, sing religious songs and perform a group circle dance called Deuda. Men too, do their bit by helping their wives with all the relevant arrangements and taking part in singing, dancing and merry-making with aplomb!
Gunla
Monsoon has arrived, and the crops are in place. There’s no better time than this to celebrate Gunla, a festival derived from two words: ‘gun’ (auspicious) and ‘la’ (period). Gunla is unlike any other regular festival because it involves an entire Holy month being dedicated to Gautam Buddha. Its roots go back more than 2,500 years, when Buddha explained the meaning of his principles to his disciples and led them into meditation.
Nepalese Buddhists worship Lord Buddha throughout the Sravana month (July/August). They make a vow to follow Buddha’s principle at least once a month. However, the festival has undergone several changes over the past few years. Different Buddhists celebrate Gunla differently.
Some incorporate musical instruments into their worship style while others refrain from eating non-vegetarian food. Many worshippers also survive dangerous forests to visit Swayambhu's hilltop to begin their ritualistic prayers. Even women take active part by taking a symbolic bath each morning and eating only one meal each day during this month. On the last day, they dress up nicely and wear jewellery to end the festival on a happy note.
Guru Purnima
An Indian spiritual teacher recently described Guru Purnima succinctly when he said that it festival ‘of the disciples for the disciples’. The auspicious festival dedicated to Gurus is celebrated on the full moon day of Aashad month (July/August). Hinduism attaches supreme significance to a Guru, hailing him as a teacher, mentor, protector and spiritual advisor.
On the occasion of Guru Purnima, Hindus all over the world express reverence towards their Guru as well as Sri Maharishi Ved Vyas, who is also known as a the Guru of all Gurus. It was on this day that Maharishi Vyas is believed to have descended into mortal world despite being one of the seven immortals. He is credited with the compilation and classicisation of the four Vedas- Rig, Sam, Yajur and Atharva.
People celebrate Guru Purnima by touching the feet of their gurus/teachers/mentors as a symbolic gesture and offering them sweets and presents. It is also a great day to show how much you value your parents, for they are your first gurus in life!
Visit Nepal during Tihar Holidays
The Tihar Festival, also known as Deepawali or Bhai Tika, is celebrated with lights, and span across five days with different rituals or customs on each day. The first day of Tihar is celebrated to worship the crows, and people do that by feeding the crows in the morning. Similarly, second & third days are celebrated to worship dogs & crows respectively. The fourth day of Tihar is celebrated with singing several songs known as Deusi by young male members to bring blessings to their families. The fifth day is known as Bhai Tika day, which is celebrated by sisters praying for their brother’s long life & prosperity.
The celebration involves various feasts enjoyed together with the family, exchanging gifts with family & friends, and decorating houses, streets and possibly every corner of the locality.
Being in Nepal during the Tihar festival also, opens up the opportunity to visit the Rani Pokharai, a famous pond & temple. The Rani Pokharai is opened for the public only for a day, and that is the Bhai Tika festival.
Enjoy the holy bath on Maghe Sankranti
Maghe Sankranti is celebrated during the month of January on the first day of the month – Magh according to the Bikram Samwat calendar followed in Nepal. There are many reasons why the first day of Magh is considered auspicious, as this is supposed to be the end of the winter season and beginning of spring. In addition, Maghe Sankranti is also supposed to be an end to all ill-omen effects and beginning of warmth and happiness.
Touring Nepal during Maghe Sankranti is fun-filled with an opportunity to celebrate the festival, and be a part of the holy bath despite the cold weather is an incredible feeling of being associated to the culture. The holy bath on the first day of the month Magh is celebrated at Sankhamole, which is a union of rivers & few streams on the bank of Bagmati River. The festival is also celebrated with auspicious foods such as Till Laddoo & Chaku.
Nepal turns a school on Shree Panchami
Shree Panchami is celebrated to worship the Hindu Goddess Saraswati, known as the Goddess of education & learning. This is a popular festival in Nepal, especially for those who are undergoing any education. It is mandatory for students to celebrate the Shree Panchami with full dedication, as this is believed that praying the Goddess Saraswati helps the students in getting better education.
Traveling to Nepal during Shree Panchami festival is a breathtaking experience as the celebration also includes various colorful events across the country including several stage-performances by the students or other enthusiastic groups. Tourist from various countries arrive Nepal during Shree Panchami in order to be a part of a gala celebration in the royal palace of Basantpur in Kathmandu. Royal Palace of Basantpur was inaugurated on Shree Panchami, therefore, in memory of that; it celebrates the festival as a grand event with participation of hundreds of government officials including the King of Nepal.
Celebrate Maha Shiva Ratri in Nepal
The most worshiped god in Nepal is Lord Shiva and Maha Shiva Ratri is celebrated in every corner of the country. Travelers get to see the ceremonies & festivals on a roar everywhere. Almost every part of the country is decorated and can be seen in a festive mood. Maha Shiva Ratri is traditionally known as the day when Lord Shiva created himself by his own grace.
Celebrations at many famous temples across Nepal show the importance of Maha Shiva Ratri. As this is the most important festival of Nepal, tourists from almost every part of the world visit Nepal during Maha Shiva Ratri to become a part of the celebrations. The Pashupatinath temple in Kathmandu is supposed to have the biggest festival of the year on Maha Shiva Ratri and witnesses thousands of devotees. Tourists get a chance of knowing the culture and join the most celebrated festival of the country.
Have Fun with Colors on Fagun Purnima (Holi)
Fagun Purnima known as Holi is the most happening festival in the country. People celebrate this day with splashing colors all over, and the ritual is to throw or pour colors to each-another as a part of the celebration.
Fagun Purnima is celebrated traditionally as a symbol of victory over evil and followed by the Holika celebrations. Holika is celebrated with fire to blow-off evil powers and beginning of a new year. That is the reason; Fagun Purnima is celebrated with colors as a welcome gesture to a new beginning.
To celebrate the Fagun Purnima, family members and the along with their friends, gathers in a place and enjoy a delicious meal after to greet each-another with colors & wishes. In addition, the celebrations at temples and in other cultural societies welcome tourists to be a part of the celebrations by organizing several plays to demonstrate the festival & the history of the same.
Enjoy Horse Races on Ghode Jatra
Ghode Jatra is all about fun and people from every corner of the country get together in Tundikhel, Kathmandu to celebrate this. This day is also known as Horse Racing Day, when people ride on horses and it becomes a huge horse parade because of thousands of horses. As per the history, Ghode Jatra is a festival to celebrate the death of a demon named Tundli. Tundli used to live in his own land called as Tundlikhel and he was a terror for people living in Kathmandu. Citizens of Kathmandu had killed the demon and buried in Tundlikhel, and Ghode Jatra is celebrated to stamp down the demon every year in Tundilkhel.
Ghode Jatra has gained huge popularity in recent decades and people from every part of the country participate in the festival, and is organized by the Government of Nepal. Travelers find it astonishing and exciting to be a part of the horse parade & other events followed with an award ceremony at the end.
Celebrate the birthday of the most worshiped Hindu God: Shree Ram Nawami
Shree Ram Nawami is celebrated as the birthday of Lord Rama, another very famous Hindu god worshiped as another embodiment of Lord Vishnu. Lord Rama had killed the most horrified demon, named Ravana, who had established a reign of evil. Lord Rama, as a Lord Shiva incarnation, is known to have followed the most ideal way to lead life by a human, and as per Hindu mythology, every male member of the family should follow Lord Rama’s footprints.
The biggest festival on Shree Ram Nawami is celebrated in the Janaki temple in Janakpur. In addition, a big celebration is also organized in the Hanumante Temple in Bhaktapur. The celebration involves processions involving thousands of people, decorated elephants, and bullock-carts. People celebrate the festival with dance and song performances. Shree Ram Nawami is celebrated in every corner of the country, and people, including members of the royal families of Nepal, participate in the festival with great enthusiasm.
Enjoy Love Shows on Bagh Jatra
Bagh Jatra has been celebrated by people from every part of Nepal to celebrate for more than one hundred & fifty years. This has been celebrated for the first time in Pokhara and hence Pokhra has the biggest event on the occasion. The festival celebrates the death of a tiger that had become a man-eater and created fear in the society. People celebrate the freedom from the marauding tiger and they impersonate themselves like hunters and clowns, and parade around the city. The musical bands also accompany the parade to add fun to the celebration. The hunter’s team parade for three days that travels through the entire city and performs various acts to show how the tiger was killed by civilians.
In some places of Nepal like Tansen, the idols of Hindu god Ganesh, Bhimsen & Narayan are worshiped during Bagh Jatra, and the idols are submerged into the river or pond on the last day of the festival.
Peep into the Rich Culture of Nepal on Bhairav Kumari Jatra
Like many other festivals in Nepal, Bhairav Kumari Jatra has also been celebrated for centuries and has historical reasons behind this. Bhairav Kumar Jatra is mainly celebrated in a historic town of northeastern Nepal known as Dolkha in the month of August.
This festival is celebrated very uniquely, with people, having dressed-up like a tiger with masked faces, dancing for five days without taking a break. To encourage the dancers participating in the religious dance, many enthusiastic musical bands accompany the group and the group travels to major temples in the city. The group also has members posing like Bhairav & Kumari. God Bharaiv and Goddess Kumari are worshiped on Bhairav Kumar Jatra, where people keep daylong fast on this occasion and break their fasts after the prayers in the evening.
Traveling to Nepal and participating in Bhairav Kumar Jatra is certainly a unique experience, as it gives an opportunity to peep into Nepal’s culture closely.
Biggest Hindu Festival: Chaite Dasain
Chaite Dasain is the most famous & popular festival celebrated in Nepal. As the name suggests, it is celebrated in the month of Chaitra according to the Bikram Samwat calendar being followed in Nepal for all religious events. This is associated with the story of Lord Rama and it celebrates the victory of Lord Rama over the then evil king Ravana. As per the Hindu epic The Ramayan, the Hindu goddess Durga helped Rama in killing Ravana and thus, Chaite Dasain is celebrated to pay tribute to Goddess Durga and to celebrate the victory of good over bad & evil powers.
Chaite Dasain is celebrated for ten days, where people keep an idol of goddess Durga, and do prayers everyday in the morning & evening, and on the tenth day the idol is submerged into the river or pond. Visitors get to know the rich culture and historical traditions of Nepal during Chaite Dasain. The festival is celebrated with kite competitions in almost every part of Nepal.
Witness the New Year festival in Nepal: Lhosar
Lhosar is the New Year celebration of Tibet, and since Nepal has a significant population of people from Tibet, this is celebrated as a grand event there. Traditionally, it is celebrated during the first half of the first month according to the Tibetan calendar, but it has reduced to a three-day celebration in modern times. Boudha is a village in the northeast side of Kathmandu that occupies the largest Tibetan population in Nepal, and considering this, the government of Nepal has declared a nation-wide holiday on Lhosar.
The festival is celebrated by worshiping Lord Buddha and people from all community participate in rituals of circling around the stupas that signify a Buddhist temple. People celebrate Lhosar following several Tibetan traditions, and the most famous way of celebrating is with consuming Changkol. Changkol, a traditional beverage, is a form of locally made beer. On the occasion of Lhosar, travelers must visit Doudhanath and Swayambhunath temples in Kathmandu, as these are decorated with colorful flags and grand people from Tibetan & Sherpas community come together to perform various acts.
Traditional Festival of Nepal: Yomari Punhi
Yomari Punhi is a festival of farmers and is celebrated to thank god for excellent harvest of rice. Farmers from all part of the country prepare a dish named Yomari with rice & sugar. Yomari is made from the first yield of rice and presented to the god. Presenting the first yield of a crop is followed everywhere in the Hindu religion, and as per the traditional tales, this brings wealth & prosperity to the society.
In addition, people prepare yomaris in various shapes that resemble the gods & goddesses such as Kumar, Ganesh, Laxmi, and Kuber. There is a tradition to bless the children of the family by feeding them yomaris after presenting to the god. Another tradition to celebrate the Yomari Punhi festival is with paying tribute to the goddess Annapurna, who is known as the goddess of food & grains and it is said that worshiping her brings prosperity to the farmers. Travelers visit a place called Panchal Nagar that is known for celebrating Yomari Punhi for the first time and still does it with grace.
Buddha Jayanti Festival
Buddha Jayanti is considered to be the most significant festival for Buddhists, celebrated with great fervour. Falling on a full-moon during the month of Baisakh/Visakh (April/May), it is celebrated to commemorate the birth, attainment of enlightenment and death of Gautam Buddha. This three-fold significance makes the festival so special. Buddhist legend has it that this Holy day also marks the birth of Lord Buddha's wife Yashodhara as well has his first disciple, charioteer and horse - Ananda, Channa and Kantaka respectively.
Pilgrims from all parts of the globe flock to the Bodh Gaya to participate in the celebrations on this pious day, wherein they conduct sermons on Lord Buddha, prayer meets, discourses, recite scriptures and take part in group meditation. Buddhists wear only white cloths on this day and gather together on the Mahabodhi Temple to offer alms to monks. They free birds from cages, distribute fruits/clothes among the poor, revere Bodhi tree and offer candles, flowers and incense in Buddhist temples.
Finally, they reiterate their faith in the five core principles (Panchsheel) of Buddhism which forbids one from killing, lying, stealing, consuming alcohol or commuting adultery.