Fetes & festivals of nepal
Fetes & Festivals of Nepal everything festive in Nepal traditionally begins with something religious and moves with spontaneous spirit into a pleasant family feast. This is because, for Nepali’s, religion has always influenced and has been the core of Nepali culture.
Most of the festivals celebrated in Nepal are religious. However, they can be generally divided into four sections keeping in mind the main aspects of the festival emphasized:
Religious: These festivals are specially designed to honor a certain god or goddess. For instance, Bada Dashain, the festival of Devi Durga, the universal mother goddess also known as Kali.
Historical: Historical festivals are celebrated to keep alive memories of events of importance. Gaijatra was introduced by Jaya Prakash Malla.
Agricultural: Since Nepal is an agricultural country there are different festivals like Laxmi Puja which mark the different seasons of harvesting, planting, etc.
Fetes & Festivals of Nepal is Seasonal: The different seasonal festivals are celebrated in order to mark the beginning of special seasons. Holi or Fagu is the festival inspired by spring, the season of colors.
Legendary: These festivals are based on legends than on any reliable historical record. Ghantakarna is a festival, which is also based on a legend. It is celebrated as a great relief from the death of a most dreaded legendary monster-Ghantakarna
Fetes & Festivals of Nepal one of the interesting ways to understand the beauty and richness of Nepali culture is through its festivals. During festivals in Nepal, cultural dances, songs, and performances are practiced. These cultural treasures make the festivals interesting and entertaining. People find more joy participating in performances and watching others perform and so, no festivals are idle gatherings. Instead, they are lively and purposeful.
Festival calendar in Nepal
- Nawa Varsa
Nepali New Year (bisket)
Venue: Bhaktapur
Date: The first day of the first month of the year Baishakha (mid-April)
- Buddha Jayanti
The birthday of Lord Buddha
Venue: Lumbini-the birthplace of Buddha, Buddha, Swayambhu, and Patan
Date: The full moon day of Baishakh (April)
- Sithi
A day chosen for cleaning ponds and wells combined with the worship of the mother earth and Kumara, the six-headed god of warfare.
Venue: Jaisideval in downtown Kathmandu
Date: The 6th day of dark Jestha (June).
- Ghantakarna
It is a festival designed to celebrate the death of a demon.
Venue: The crossroads are more colorful in the countryside.
Date: The 14th day of dark Shrawan(Jul/Aug.)
- Naga Panchami
It is a day chosen to worship the naga (sacred snakes) and other water-related fears.
Venue: Taudaha and Pashupati
Date: The 5th day of bright Shrawan. (July/ Aug).
- Jani Purnima
A festival to change the sacred thread with the worship of Lord Shiva.
Venue: Patan Kumbheswar
Date: The full moon day of Shawna (August)
- Mataya
The Buddhist festival of lights commemorating the victory of Buddha over Mara (vice)
Venue: Patan
Date: The 2nd day of dark Bhadra (Mid. Aug.)
- Krishnastami
The birthday of Lord Krishna
Venue: Patan Durbar Square and Krishna temples in the country.
Date: The 8th of dark Bhadra (August)
- Gokarna Aunshi
The celebration of a father’s day with the worship of Shivalinga at Gokarna.
Venue: Gokarna temple on Bagmati
Date: The last day of darkBhadra. (Aug).
- Teej
The three-day-long festival of women
Venue: Pashupati, Patan- Krishna temple and Sankhu
Date: From 2th to 5th of bright Bhadra (Aug.)
- Indra Jatra
The weeklong festival to honor the Hindu Rain god Indra.
Venue: All over the Kathmandu valley, especially old Royal Palace, Kathmandu
Date: From 12th to the last day of bright Bhadra (September).
- Dashain
The Longest Hindu Festival of Nepal is Traditionally celebrated for two full weeks with the animal sacrifice to Durga the Universal Mother Goodness.
Venue: Important Hindu Temples all over Nepal, Hanumandhoka Palace, Kathmandu.
Date: It begins on the first day of bright Aswin (Sept/ Oct.)
- Deepawali / Tihar
The 5 day-long festivals of lights, honoring Yama God of Death.
1st day is to worship a crow informant of Yama.
2nd day is dog’s day, the dog is the agent of Yama.
3rd day is the day to worship Laxmi the goddess of wealth.
4th day is the self–respect day also a day for draught animals, oxen.
5th day is the brother’s day.
Venue: The family houses
Date: It begins on the 2nd day of dark Kartik and Continues until the 3rd of bright Kartik (Oct. /Nov.)
- GhodeJatra.
Festival of the horse, Army Day.
Venue: Tundikhel
Date: 14th of dark fortnight of Chitra(Mar)
- Janbaha Deo Jatra
A week-long chariot festival of white Machhendranath, the Buddhist god of compassion.
Venue: The old section of Kathmandu
Date: 8th of bright fourth night of Chaitra (Mar)
- Chit Dashain
Venue: Important Hindu temples dedicated to Durga
Date: 11th of bright fourth night of Chaitra
- Rato Machendranth Rath Jatra
About a month-long festival of the Buddhist rain god.
Venue: Patan city, the old section, BungmatiDate: Begins on 1st day of the bright fortnight of Baishakha (May, June).
- Mani Rimdu
3 day long festival
Venue: The monastery of Thame, one day walk to the west of the Namche Bazaar the main hub-bub of the highest Sherpa land, Tengboche Monastery.
Date: APR. /May
