Festivals In Nepal

Festivals in Nepal                                                                                                                                                                         

Nepal is a country rich in culture and tradition, and festivals play a significant role in the lives of its people. Here are some of the most significant and popular festivals celebrated in Nepal:

 

Dashain Festival                                                                                                                                                                                                         

Dashain is the longest and most important festival in the Nepalese calendar, celebrated for 15 days in the months of September or October. It marks the victory of good over evil and is a time for families to gather together and celebrate. Dashain is a Hindu festival and involves the worship of the goddess Durga, the mother of the universe. On the first day of Dashain, the goddess's blessings are invoked, and on the ninth day, called "Navaratri", family and friends exchange gifts and visit one another. On the tenth day, known as "Vijaya Dashami", the day of victory, families participate in feasting and socializing.

 

Tihar Festival                                                                                                                                                                                                               

Tihar is another significant Hindu festival in Nepal, also known as Dipawali. It is celebrated for five days in October or November and is a festival of lights, symbolizing the victory of light over darkness. On the first day of Tihar, crows are worshiped, and on the second day, dogs are honored as the guardians of the house. The third day is dedicated to cows, who are worshipped for their role in agriculture and providing milk. On the fourth day, the festival of lights, families decorate their homes with oil lamps, candles, and colorful lights, and perform puja, or worship, to Laxmi, the goddess of wealth. The fifth day is dedicated to brothers and sisters, and sisters pray for the long life and success of their brothers.

 

Chhath Festival                                                                                                                                                                                                            

Chhath is a Hindu festival that is celebrated in the Nepalese Terai region and is dedicated to the worship of the sun god. It is a four-day festival that involves fasting and ritual bathing in rivers and lakes. The festival takes place in October or November and is an opportunity for families to come together and offer prayers to the sun god for good health, prosperity, and success.

 

Holi Festival                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

Holi or Fhagun Purnima, also known as the festival of colors, is a Hindu festival that celebrates the arrival of spring and the victory of good over evil. It is celebrated in February or March and involves the throwing of colored powders, singing, and dancing. Holi is a time for families to come together, forget past grudges, and make new friends.

 

Teej Festival                                                                                                                                                                                                             

Teej is a Hindu festival celebrated by women in Nepal in August or September. It is dedicated to the goddess Parvati and marks her reunion with Lord Shiva after a long separation. Teej is a time for women to fast, pray, and participate in cultural and traditional activities, such as singing and dancing.

 

Lhosar Festival                                                                                                                                                                                                          

Lhosar is a festival celebrated by the Sherpa community in Nepal, marking the start of the New Year according to the Sherpa calendar. It is celebrated in February and is a time for families to come together, perform puja, and participate in traditional cultural activities.

 

Gaijatra                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

Gaijatra is a festival celebrated by the Newar community in Nepal, typically in August. The festival is also known as the "Festival of Cows" and is celebrated to commemorate the death of family members. During the festival, people dress up in costumes, sing, dance, and participate in a parade with a cow, which symbolizes the journey of the deceased to the afterlife. The festival is a time of joy and celebration, and is also seen as an opportunity to make fun of society's ills through satire and humor.

 

Janai Purnima                                                                                                                                                                                                       

Janai Purnima or Rakshya bandhan is a Hindu festival celebrated primarily in Nepal. It is observed on the full moon day in the Hindu month of Shraavana (July/August) and marks the day when the sacred thread (Janai) worn by Hindu men is changed and renewed. On this day, Hindu men visit Hindu temples to offer prayers and renew their Janai, while women observe a fast and prepare special food offerings. The festival is also celebrated by taking holy dips in rivers and lakes, performing puja rituals, and participating in processions. Janai Purnima is an important festival for Hindus and symbolizes the renewal of spiritual vows and the protection offered by the sacred thread.

 

Shree Krishna Janmashtami                                                                                                                                                                                

Shree Krishna Janmashtami is a Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna, the eighth avatar of Lord Vishnu. It is observed on the eighth day (Ashtami) of the Hindu lunar month of Bhadrapada (August/September) and marks the day when Lord Krishna is believed to have been born. The festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm and devotion, particularly in the northern and western parts of India. People fast, sing devotional songs, perform puja rituals, and recite prayers to Lord Krishna on this day. The highlight of the festival is the re-enactment of Lord Krishna's birth, known as "Rasa Lila," in which devotees dress up as Lord Krishna and Radha and perform traditional dances and plays. The festival is also celebrated by preparing special foods and offerings to Lord Krishna, such as butter and sweets. Janmashtami is considered a major festival in Hinduism and is a time for devotion, celebration, and renewal.

 

Mahashivaratri                                                                                                                                                                                     

Mahashivaratri is a Hindu festival that is celebrated in honor of Lord Shiva, one of the main deities in Hinduism. The festival is observed on the 14th day of the Hindu lunar month of Phalguna (February/March) and is considered one of the most important festivals in Hinduism. Mahashivaratri is a day of fasting, worship, and meditation for Hindus. People visit Shiva temples, offer prayers and perform puja rituals to Lord Shiva, and also observe a fast for the whole day. Some devotees also perform a night-long vigil, singing hymns, chanting mantras, and meditating on the deity. IN some parts of India, particularly in the northern and western regions, the festival is also celebrated by lighting a large fire, known as a "havan," and making offerings to Lord Shiva. The festival is a time for spiritual renewal and seeking blessings from Lord Shiva, and is also seen as a time to rid oneself of negative energies and seek peace and prosperity.

 

Maghesankranti or Magh                                                                                                                                                                                   

Maghesankranti or Maghi is a Hindu festival celebrated in Nepal and some parts of India. It is observed on the first day of the Hindu lunar month of Magh (January/February) and marks the end of the winter solstice. The festival is associated with Lord Krishna, who is believed to have killed the demon king Narakasura on this day. Maghesankranti is celebrated by visiting Hindu temples, performing puja rituals, and offering prayers to Lord Krishna. In Nepal, Maghesankranti is also celebrated as the beginning of the agricultural season and is seen as a time for renewal and hope. People take holy dips in rivers, perform puja rituals, and offer food to the poor. The festival is a time for celebration, renewal, and seeking blessings from the gods.

 

Kushe Aunsi                                                                                                                                                                                                         

Kushe Aunsi, also known as "Rice Pudding Festival," is a traditional festival celebrated by the Nepali community, particularly in the Kathmandu valley. It is observed on the 15th day of the Hindu lunar month of Shraavana (July/August) and marks the end of the monsoon season.Kushe Aunsi is a time for family reunions, as people from far and wide come together to celebrate the festival. Special dishes are prepared, such as rice pudding, and offered to the gods as a form of thanksgiving. The festival is also marked by visiting Hindu temples, performing puja rituals, and offering prayers to the gods. In addition to its religious significance, Kushe Aunsi is also a time for socializing and celebrating the end of the monsoon season. People dance, sing, and engage in various cultural activities, making it a time of joy and celebration.

 

Nag Panchami                                                                                                                                                                                                         

Nag Panchami is a Hindu festival dedicated to the worship of snakes or Nagas. It is observed on the fifth day of the Hindu lunar month of Shravana (July/August) and is particularly popular in India and Nepal. On this day, people visit Hindu temples, offer prayers, and perform puja rituals to the serpent gods. Milk, sweets, and flowers are offered as part of the puja ritual. The festival is also marked by fasting and abstinence from non-vegetarian food. Nag Panchami is believed to bring good luck and prosperity, and is seen as a way of seeking the protection and blessings of the serpent gods. The festival is also a time for socializing and celebrating the end of the monsoon season. People dance, sing, and engage in various cultural activities, making it a time of joy and celebration.

 

Matatirtha Aunsi                                                                                                                                                                                                     

Matatirtha Aunsi, also known as "Mother's Pilgrimage Festival," is a traditional festival celebrated by the Nepali community, particularly in the Kathmandu valley. It is observed on the 15th day of the Hindu lunar month of Bhadra (August/September) and is a time for families to visit the ancestral home and pay respects to their ancestors. On this day, people visit the Matatirtha temple, located in the outskirts of Kathmandu, to perform puja rituals and offer prayers to their ancestors. They also take part in various cultural activities, such as singing and dancing, and socialize with friends and family. Matatirtha Aunsi is a time for renewal, remembering the departed, and seeking blessings from the ancestors. The festival is also seen as a way of keeping the memory of the ancestors alive and maintaining family ties. It is a time for families to come together, socialize, and celebrate their heritage and traditions.

 

Bisket Jatra                                                                                                                                                                                                         

Bisket Jatra is a Hindu festival celebrated in Bhaktapur, Nepal. It is observed on the first day of the Nepali New Year, which falls in mid-April, and marks the beginning of the Nepali calendar. Bisket Jatra is a grand and colorful festival that is celebrated over a period of nine days. It is marked by various cultural and religious activities, such as singing and dancing, religious processions, and a chariot procession. The main highlight of the festival is the chariot procession, in which large wooden chariots, decorated with flowers and colorful flags, are pulled through the streets of Bhaktapur by hundreds of people. The festival is believed to bring good luck and prosperity, and is seen as a time for renewal and seeking blessings from the gods. It is a time for families to come together, socialize, and celebrate their heritage and traditions. Bisket Jatra is also a time for tourists to experience the rich culture and traditions of Bhaktapur and Nepal.

 

Buddha Jayanti                                                                                                                                                                                                 

Buddha Jayanti is a Buddhist festival that celebrates the birth, enlightenment, and passing away of Lord Buddha. It is observed on the full moon day of the Hindu lunar month of Vaisakh (April/May), and is particularly important for followers of Theravada Buddhism. The festival is celebrated with various religious activities, such as visiting Buddhist temples, performing puja rituals, and listening to sermons given by Buddhist monks. People also engage in acts of charity, such as giving food and donations to the poor, as a way of demonstrating their devotion to the teachings of Lord Buddha. Buddha Jayanti is a time for reflection and contemplation on the life and teachings of Lord Buddha. It is an opportunity to renew one's commitment to following the path of the Buddha and to seek enlightenment. The festival is also a time for coming together and celebrating the teachings of Lord Buddha, and is marked by peace and harmony among people of all races and religions.

 

Brahmayani Jatra or Baradhwoj Jatra                                                                                                                                                                      

Brahmayani Jatra or Baradhwoj Jatra is an annual Hindu festival celebrated in Bhaktapur, Nepal. It is held in the Hindu month of Bhadau (August/September) and is dedicated to the worship of the goddess Brahmayani. The festival is marked by various religious and cultural activities, including processions of the deity through the streets of Bhaktapur, offerings of flowers, rice, and vermilion powder, and animal sacrifices. People also participate in singing and dancing, and engage in various forms of entertainment. The festival is an important event for the people of Bhaktapur, and attracts thousands of devotees and tourists from around the world. It is a time for families to come together, socialize, and celebrate their religious beliefs and cultural traditions. The festival is also seen as a way of seeking the blessings and protection of the goddess Brahmayani, and of celebrating the rich cultural heritage of Bhaktapur.

 

Ghanta Karna                                                                                                                                                                                                     

Ghanta Karna is a Hindu festival celebrated in the Nepalese city of Bhaktapur. It is held in the Hindu month of Magh (January/February) and is dedicated to the worship of the Hindu deity Ghanta Karna, who is regarded as a protector of the city. The festival is marked by the ringing of large bells, known as ghanta, which symbolize the victory of good over evil. People gather in the streets of Bhaktapur and participate in processions, offerings of flowers and rice, and the ringing of bells. The festival is also a time for socializing and entertaining, and people engage in various forms of cultural and artistic expression. Ghanta Karna is an important event for the people of Bhaktapur, and attracts thousands of devotees and tourists from around the world. It is a time for families to come together, socialize, and celebrate their religious beliefs and cultural traditions. The festival is also seen as a way of seeking the blessings and protection of the deity Ghanta Karna, and of celebrating the rich cultural heritage of Bhaktapur.

 

Guru Purnima                                                                                                                                                                                                           

Guru Purnima is a Hindu and Buddhist festival celebrated in India and other parts of South Asia. It is held on the full moon day of the Hindu lunar month of Ashadh (July/August) and is dedicated to the worship and reverence of spiritual teachers and gurus. The festival is celebrated by offering prayers and making offerings to the guru, and by participating in spiritual activities such as meditation, recitation of sacred texts, and performing acts of charity. People also engage in acts of devotion, such as bathing the feet of their guru and seeking their blessings. Guru Purnima is an important event for spiritual seekers and those on the path of self-discovery and enlightenment. It is a time for reflection on the teachings and guidance of one's guru, and for renewing one's commitment to the path of spiritual growth. The festival is also a time for coming together and celebrating the role of gurus in promoting knowledge and wisdom, and in guiding people towards self-realization.
 

 

Indra Jatra                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

Indra Jatra is an eight-day Hindu festival celebrated in Kathmandu, Nepal. It is held in the month of Bhadra (September/October) and is dedicated to the worship of the Hindu god Indra, the king of the gods. The festival is marked by processions of chariots carrying the images of various Hindu gods and goddesses, as well as masked dances and street performances. People also offer prayers and make offerings of flowers, rice, and other offerings to the gods. Indra Jatra is one of the most important festivals in Kathmandu and is celebrated with great enthusiasm by the people of the city. It is a time for families to come together, socialize, and celebrate their religious beliefs and cultural traditions. The festival is also seen as a way of seeking the blessings of the gods and of celebrating the rich cultural heritage of Kathmandu and the surrounding region. The festival is also known for its Kumari Jatra, which involves a procession of the living goddess Kumari, who is believed to be the incarnation of the Hindu goddess Taleju. Thousands of people gather to see the procession, and to offer their prayers and blessings to the Kumari.

 

Bala Chaturdashi                                                                                                                                                                                                       

Bala Chaturdashi, also known as Satya Narayana Chaturdashi or Satbyu, is a Hindu festival celebrated in Nepal and India. It is held on the fourteenth day of the dark fortnight of the Hindu lunar month of Kartik (October/November) and is dedicated to the worship of Lord Vishnu. The festival is marked by fasting, prayers, and offerings to Lord Vishnu, who is regarded as the preserver of the universe. People also perform charitable acts and engage in acts of devotion and spiritual reflection. Bala Chaturdashi is an important event for devotees of Lord Vishnu, and is celebrated with great enthusiasm by the people of Nepal and India. It is a time for families to come together, socialize, and celebrate their religious beliefs and cultural traditions. The festival is also seen as a way of seeking the blessings of Lord Vishnu and of promoting peace, prosperity, and well-being.

 

Ganesh Chaturthi                                                                                                                                                                                                       

Ganesh Chaturthi also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi or Ganesh Chauth, is a Hindu festival celebrated in Nepal, India and other parts of South Asia. It is held on the fourth day of the Hindu lunar month of Bhadrapada (August/September) and is dedicated to the worship of Lord Ganesha, the Hindu deity known as the remover of obstacles and the patron of arts and sciences. The festival is marked by the installation of large, beautifully crafted statues of Lord Ganesha in homes and public spaces. People offer prayers, perform religious rituals, and make offerings of flowers, fruits, and sweets to the deity. The festival is also celebrated with music, dance, and other forms of cultural expression. Ganesh Chaturthi is an important event for devotees of Lord Ganesha, and is celebrated with great enthusiasm by the people of India and other parts of South Asia. It is a time for families to come together, socialize, and celebrate their religious beliefs and cultural traditions. The festival is also seen as a way of seeking the blessings of Lord Ganesha and of promoting peace, prosperity, and well-being.

 

Sri Panchami                                                                                                                                                                                                   

Panchami is a Hindu festival celebrated in Nepal and India. It is held on the fifth day of the Hindu lunar month of Magh (January/February) and is dedicated to the worship of the Hindu goddess Saraswati, the deity associated with knowledge, music, and the arts. The festival is marked by prayers, offerings, and devotional acts dedicated to the goddess. People also perform puja (ritual worship) to honor Saraswati and to seek her blessings for education, knowledge, and artistic pursuits. Sri Panchami is an important event for devotees of Saraswati, and is celebrated with great enthusiasm by the people of Nepal and India. It is a time for families to come together, socialize, and celebrate their religious beliefs and cultural traditions. The festival is also seen as a way of seeking the blessings of the goddess and of promoting peace, prosperity, and well-being.

 

Chaitra Dashain                                                                                                                                                                                                     

Chaitra Dashain, also known as Ram Navami, is a Hindu festival celebrated in Nepal and India. It is held on the ninth day of the Hindu lunar month of Chaitra (March/April) and marks the birth of Lord Rama, an incarnation of the Hindu deity Lord Vishnu. The festival is marked by prayers, offerings, and devotional acts dedicated to Lord Rama. People also perform puja (ritual worship) to honor the deity and to seek his blessings for peace, prosperity, and well-being. The festival is also celebrated with music, dance, and other forms of cultural expression. Chaitra Dashain is an important event for devotees of Lord Rama, and is celebrated with great enthusiasm by the people of Nepal and India. It is a time for families to come together, socialize, and celebrate their religious beliefs and cultural traditions. The festival is also seen as a way of seeking the blessings of Lord Rama and of promoting peace, prosperity, and well-being.

 

Ghode Jatra                                                                                                                                                                                                         

Ghode Jatra is a traditional festival celebrated in Nepal. It is held annually in the Nepali capital city of Kathmandu and is observed on the 13th day of the Nepali lunar month of Chaitra (March/April). The festival is characterized by horse races and other equestrian activities, as well as by colorful processions and street performances. The highlight of the festival is the horse race, which is held in the Tundikhel ground in central Kathmandu. Ghode Jatra is an important cultural event for the people of Nepal and is celebrated with great enthusiasm and excitement. The festival is also seen as a way of promoting peace, prosperity, and well-being, and is an opportunity for people to come together and celebrate their cultural traditions and heritage.

 

Pancha Dan                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

Pancha is a Sanskrit phrase which literally translates to "five gifts." In Hinduism, it refers to five offerings of food that are given to the gods and goddesses as a symbol of gratitude, devotion, and respect. The five offerings consist of grains, fruits, flowers, incense, and water. The act of giving Pancha Dan is considered to bring peace, prosperity, and blessings to the giver.

These are just a few of the many festivals celebrated in Nepal, each with its own unique customs, traditions, and significance. Festivals play an important role in Nepalese culture and bring people together, promoting unity and strengthening bonds between families and communities.