Nawa Varsa
Nepali New Year (Bisket)
Venue : Bhaktapur
Date : The 1 st day of the 1 st month of the year Baishakh
(mid Apr) |
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Mother's
Day
Mother's Day symbolizes love, affection for living mother
and memory for dead mother. It is also the day of 'Looking
at Mother's Face'. For the living, it is a reminder to pray
for their souls. In this day, a special Mela is organized
at Mata Tirtha. There are two pools at Mata Tirtha, the lower
one is bigger and used for bathing. The smaller, upper one
is called the pond f "Looking at Mother's Face", for it is
believed, or was believed, one could see the face of one's
mother in the pool's reflection.
Venue : Mata Tirtha, Kathmandu.
Date : Apr/May
Mani
Rimdu
3 days long festival
Venue : The monastery of Thame,
one day walk to the west of Namche Bazaar the main hub-bub
of the highest Sherpaland. Tengboche Monastery.
Date : Apr/May
The
Teechi
The Teechi (oftern pronounced "Teeji") festival is an annual
event indigenous to Lo-Manthang (Upper Mustang). The name
is an abbreviation of the word "Tempa Chirim" which translates
as "Prayer for World Peace". This festival commemorates the
victory of Lord Buddha's incarnation "Dorjee Sonnu" over a
demon called Man Tam Ru a vicious creature feeding on human
beings and causing storms and droughts. The Teeji festival
usually takes place during the last week of May and lasts
fro 3 days. Dances performed by the monks of Lo Manthang's
"choedhe" monastery during the celebration display. The harassment
of Ma Tam Ru Ta (in a dance called "Tsa Chham" on the first
day), the birth of Dorjee Sonnu as the demon's son (on the
second day called "Nga Chham"), the attempt to return the
demon tolord Buddha's realm (on the third and final day).
The Teeji festival dances are all organized by the Choedhe
Monastery, which is that of the Sakya sect of Lo Manthang.
The monastery abbot is Khempo Tasi Tenzing Rimpoche. Altogether
about 65 monks from Lo Manthang, Nhenyul and Chhosyer live
in the monastery.
Venue : Mustang Region
Date : May
Rato
Machendranath Rath Jatra
About a month long festival of Buddhist rain god. Until a
few decades ago, before the Kathmandu Valley 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 premonsoon
season still sees great worship made to Red Machhendranath-the
rain god. Patan's streets and palace complexes are made even
more evocative by warering lamp and candle lights, women busily
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 aksed for blessing, and his jeweled vest
is shown to the public.
Venue : Patan City, the old section,
Bungmati
Date : Begins on 1 st day of bright fortnight of Baishakh
(May/Jun) |
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Sithi
A day choosen for cleaning ponds and wells combined with the
worship of the mother earth and Kumara, the six headed god
of warfare.
Venue : Jaisideval in down town
Kathmandu
Date : The 6th day of dark Jestha (Jun)
Ghantakarna
It is a festival designed to celebrate the death of a demon.
Gathan-muga signals the end of the riceplanting season and
the beginning of the autumn festival season. The festival
itself (known varioulsy as Gathemangal and Ghantakarna) represents
a ritual detoxification of the city. Evil sprits that might
have sneaked in during the rice-planting season on the farmers
or on their tools are banished outside the urban limits to
preserve the city's harmony. Effigies of the Ghantakarna demons
are ereected at street intersections in the morning. Girls
hang dolls |
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on them and people wear iron rings on their fingers
to ward off evil sprits. A man wearing war paint all over
this body goes about begging for money. At the end of the
day, the effigy is taken down. The painted man is made to
sit on it holding a fire torch and the neighborhood kids drag
it away to the riverbank. Householders then place pots of
cooked rice at the crossroads as food for the evil sprits.
Iron nails are also hammered into the door lintels to keep
them out, because the spooks are terrified of iron. |
Venue : The crossroads more colourful
in the countryside.
Date : The 14 th day of dark Shrawan. (Jul/Aug)
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Naga
Panchami
It is a day chosen to worship the naga (sacred snakes) and
pray for the protection from the flood and other water related
fears. This day honors the Nagas, the snake-gods, who in Nepal
are associated with rain. The festival honors an ancient victory
of a king, who was also a Tantric master, over the nagas,
who had been withholding the rain. The king forced their submission
by casting magic spells over them. Worship of the Nagas on
this day, a compromise the conqueror graciously bestowed,
insures there will be no drought. Nepalese purchase Naga portraits
from the street
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stalls the day before and on the morning of
Naga Panchami attach these over their doorways. They then
perform a small puja and leave a food offering in the yards
and paddies for the snakes.
Venue : Taudaha & Pashupati
Date : The 5th day of bright Shrawan. (Jul/Aug) |
Janai
Poornima
A festival to change the sacred thread with the worship of
Lord Shiva. Janai Poornima is the day when Hindus change the
janai, the sacred thread the men wear on their chests. This
full moon day sees flocks of Brahmina (Hindu priests) at the
holy riverbanks. They take ritual dips in the water and offer
ablution to the gods. They then change their sacred threads
and also tie yellow sacred threads around the wrists of the
faithful. Newars of the Kathmandu valley call this festival
Gunhi Punhi, a soup of different sprouted beans known as kwati,
is prepared as the special menu of the day. At Kumbheswar
in Patan, a richly deocrated Lingam, the phallic symbol of
Lord Shiva, is placed on a raised platform in the middle of
the Kumbheswar (Knownti) pond to receive homage from devotees.
Another ceremony that takes place here is Byan-ja Nakegu,
in which rice is offered to frogs in gratitude for a good
rain. In Bhaktapur, as a preclude to Saparu the next day,
a Jujuya Ghintan-ghishi (king's carnival) goes around town.
The participants dress in outlandish costumes and gambol to
the tune of traditional music.
Venue : Throughout Nepal, Specially
Pashupati Area and Kumbheswor, Patan
Date : The full moon day of Shrawan (Aug)
Gaura
Parba
Towards the end of rainy season far-westerners of Nepal start
gathering for Gaura. Gaura festival generally falls onBhadra
Astami. Married women play the main role and worship Shiva-Parvati
for the longevity of their husband and peace, prosperity and
happiness of their family. It is a group of women working
together whose collective efforts not only make this festival
service for centuries but also serves an example of unity
to the young generation.
Venue : Far Western Development
Region Date : Aug
Mataya
The Buddhist festival of lights commemorating the victory
of Buddha over Mara (vice)
Venue : Patan
Date : The 2 nd day of dark Bhadra (Mid. Aug.)
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Krishnastami
The birthday of Lord Krishna. Lord Krishna, the dark god who
taught warrior Arjuna the value of Kama in the Bhagwad Gita,
was born at midnight on the eight day of the dark moon of
August. To celebrate the birthday of this much-loved Hindu
god, devotees flock to the Drishna Mandir in Patan 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 incantations fill the air, and
small oil lmaps 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 crowds of followers
and musical bands.
Venue : Patan
Durbar Square and Krishna temples in the country
Date : The 8 th of dark Bhadra (Aug) |
Gokarna
Aunshi (Father's Day)
The celebration of a fathers day with the worship of Shivalinga
at Gokarna. Gokarna Aunsi is a special day set apart for the
venteration of one's fathers alive or dead. On this auspicious
day, son and daughters offer ritual food, sweets, meat and
other gifts to their fathers. The streets are a happy scene
with married daughters with loads of goodies making their
way to their parents' houses. Ceremony is also known as 'Looking
upon father's face'. Those whose fathers are no more mark
this day by visiting Gokarna and other sacred spots and worshiping
the deities. There they perform anniversary rituals in honor
of their departed fathers and offer aims of rice, pulses and
coins to the priests.
Venue : Gokarna temple on Bagmati
Date : The last day of dark Bhadra (Aug)
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Teej
The three day long festival of women. Dancing, folk songs,
and the red color of women's wedding sarees dominate the day
of Teej, a Hindu festival of womanhood. The day recals the
heavenly occassion when Parbati, daughter of the Himalay,
won the hand of Lord Shiva after severe meditation and fasting.
On the first day, mothers send gifts of food and sarees to
their daughters' houses, and groups of women gather together
to feast. At midnight, the women begin a fast in emulation
of Parbati. The |
second day is for worship, in the early morning
of the third day, women in red flock to the Pashupatinath
temple, the great temple of Lord Shiva. The married ones ask
for a happy and productive marriage and a long life for the
their husbands, and those yet to tie the nuptial knot ask
for an ideal husband.
Venue : Pashupati , Patan - Krishna temple & Sankhu
Date : From 2 nd to the 5th of bright Bhadra (Aug) |
Dashain
The longest Hindu festival of Nepal, Traditionally celebrated
for two full weeks with the animal sacrifice to Durga the
Universal Mother Goddess. The great harvest festival of Nepal,
Dasain is a time of family reunion, the exchange of gifts
and blessings, profuse pujas, ritual bathing and animal sacrifices.
Dasain honors the goddess Durga, who was created out of the
shakti energy of all the gods, armed with weapons from each
of them. Goddess Durga, sumbolizing valor and prowess, is
worshipped and offered animal sacrifices for |
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the devotees'
progress prosperity. During the first 10 days, pilgrims throng
various river confluences early in the morning and sacred
shrines in the evening. Ghatasthapana, Phool Pati, Mahaastami,
Nawami and Vijaya Dashami are the series of the events under
Dasain.On Dashami, men and women in their fineries visit their
elders to seek tika (a dab of red vermilion mixed with yogurt
and rice). Sword precessions (Paayaa) are also held in various
part of the Kathmandu Valley. The last day, known as Kojagrat
Purnima, is the full moon. From this day onwards, Hindu women
begin a month-long fast, many in residence at Pashupatinath.
New clothes, home visits, grand feasts, kite flying and village
swings are the highlights of Dasain.
Venue : Important Hindu temples all over Nepal, Kathmandu
Durbar Square
Date : It begins on the first day of bright Aswin (Sep/Oct) |
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Deepawali
or Tihar
The 5 day long festival of lights, honoring Yama, God of Death.
1 st day is to worship a crow informant of Yama. 2 nd day
is dogs day, dog is the agent of Yama. 3 rd day is the day
to worship Laxmi the goddess of wealth. 4 th day is the self-respect
day also a day for draught animal, oxen. 5 th day is the brothers
day. This festival is a time of lights and tinsel decorations,
fancy sweets and juicy fruits. The celebrations begin with
the adoration of crows and dogs. Leaf dishes of rice, incense
and light are set out for the dark messenger, |
while dogs areworshiped
and offered goodies. In the period of Tihar Laxmi, the Goddess
of Wealth is worshipped. Rows of lamps are placed on windows
and doors, with the strong hope that Laxmi, the Goddess of
Wealth, is worshipped. Rows of lamps are placed on windows
and doors, with the strong hope that Laxmi pleased to reside
in light. The following day belongs to the cow, representative
of Laxmi. Laxmi Puja, Gobardhan Puja and BhaiTika are the
series of event under Tihar. In the day of Bhai Tika sisters
and brothers get together and accept Tika from each other.
This day is called as Brothers' Day. Brothers and sisters
honor each other on this day and sisters pray to Yama, the
God ofDeath, for their brothers' progress, prosperity and
longevity.
Venue : The family houses
Date : It begins on 2 nd day of dark Kartik and continues
until the 3 rd of bright Kartik (Oct./Nov.) |
Chhath
Parva
The worship of Surya, the Sun God, attracts thousands of pilgrims
to the holy town of Janakpur in southeastern Nepal. Devotees
from Nepal and India throng the ancient city to worship at
the Janaki temple and take ritual baths in the rivers and
ponds. Devotees light lamps, sing songs and spend the night
before Chhath Parva at the banks of rivers and ponds to greet
the coming of the god. As the fiscal rays of the sun blaze
from the sky, devotees scramble to offer prayers, holy water,
fruits, coconuts and sacred threads. They pray to the sun
for protection fromskin diseases.
Venue : Terai Regions
Date : Oct/Nov |
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Yomari
Punhi
As the new rice is brought in, the farmers of theValley 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 present-ed
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.
Venue : Newar Houses
Date : December |
Basanta-Panchami
(Shree-Panchami)
Basanta Panchami or Shree Panchami Honors the deities of knowledge
and learning. Hindus honor the goddess Saraswati, and Buddhists
the god Manjushree. Basanta Panchami announces the advent
of spring, with official ceremonies at Hanuman Dhoka. The
day is also considered one of the auspicous in the a year
to get married. On this day upper caste Hindu boys are given
their first initiation as it is dedicated to learning. Most
popular is the especially school children, line up from sunrise.
People aslo flock to Saraswati Kunda in Patan. Ceremonies
assoicated with the instruments of art and learning-books,
pens, brushes, etc. take place at home. Traditionally, children
are given their first alphabet lesson this day.
Venue : Kathmandu Valley and other
parts of the country.
Date : Feb
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Lhosar
Sherpas and Tibetans welcome their New Year with feasts, family
visits and dancing. Families put on their finest clothes and
jewellery and exchange gifts. Buddhist monks offer prayers
for good health and prosperity, and perform dances at the
monasteries. Colorful prayer flags decorate streets and rooftops;
and the colors seem especially brilliant at the Bouddha and
Swayambhu stupas. Crowds of celebrants at Bouddha bring in
the New Year by throwing tsampa (roasted barley flour) into
the air |
Venue : Boudha Nath, Swyambhunath
and Nothern Himalayan Regions.
Date : Feb |
Maha-Shivaratri
All year Pashupatinath attracts pilgrims, sadhus, devotees
and mendicants, but on this day the visitors are in the tens
of thousands. Many are from India or the Terai and begin arriving
a few days before, some camping out in the vicinity of the
temple. Shiva's sacred day begins at midnight but devotees
don't really begin to crowd the ghats till sunrise. Then the
populace begin streaming in, past a tremendous variety of
sadhus, mendicants of various types and deformities, devotees
performing roadside penances (standing with a small trident
thrust through the tongue, |
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being buried up to the neck, etc.)
and merchants hawking everything from puja kits to kitchenware.
Hindus pay homage to the scared lingam inside the temple and
then bathe, or at least splash a little, in the river. The
family takes part in afternoon rites at Tundikhel parade ground,
receiving a 31- gun salute at the end. The King and his entourage
pay homage to Shiva in the evening, when the whole tempo of
the activity there has picked up, especially the musical side.
Hundreds of sadhus reside in attendance camps in the courtyards
of the temples situated at the opposite bank, where non-Hindus
are also free to wander. The curious can witness some rather
interesting yogic demonstrations there. It gets chilly in
the evening, but there are usually several fires and lively
scenes going at least till midnight, when the consecrated
time elapses. In Bhaktapur, devotees honor Shiva by paying
a visit to the Dattatreya Temple in Tachapal and people in
other towns and villages of the valley.
Venue : Pashupatinath.
Date : March |
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Fagu Poornima
(Holi)
Holi celebrates the death of the demoness Holika. This wicked
woman, who was supposed to be invulnerable to fire, tried
many times to kill her nephew, an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu.
In the end she put the boy on her lap and set fire beneath
them, thinking he would be burned up and she would escape.
But instead the boy remained unharmed and Holika, to her surprise,
immolated herself. The rites of this festival celebrate her
end. Fagu Poornima begins the first day with the raising of
the Chir pole about noon in front of Kumari house in Basantapur.
Holi is known as 'playing with color' festival. Young and
old, especially the children throw bags of water or handful
of colored powder at each other and make it pleasure. In Terai
region, they celebrate it the next day when people of valley
celebrate it.
Venue : All over Nepal
Date : March |
Ghodejatra
Festival of horse, Army Day.
Venue : Tundikhel
Date : 14th of dark fort night of Chaitra (Mar) |
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Janbaha Deo
Jatra
A week long chariot festival of white Machhendranath, the
Buddhist god of compassion
Venue : The old section of Kathmandu
Date : 8 th of bright forth night of Chaitra (Mar)
Chaite Dashain
Hindus celebrate Dasain twice a year in Nepal. Chaite Dasain
is one of these. The most public of the ceremonies are the
ritual animal sacrifices performed by the army in the courtyard
of the police station at Hanuman Dhoka. This commence from
8:00 a.m. and is performed before the banners and insignia
of various military units. Goats and buffaloes are the victims,
beheaded by a single stroke of the sword. In previous years
anyone in the audience could volunteer to dispatch one of
the animals, but this custom has lapsed. Western visitors
are allowed to view from a balcony overlooking the courtyard,
with a splendid view of all the gore. The rites last about
two hours and are concluded after the military commander smears
each of the banners with the sacrificial blood.
Venue : Important Hindu temples
dedicated to Durga.
Date : 11 th of bright forth night of Chaitra
Ram Nawami
Hindus worship God Ram as a victorious person. In memory of
the victory day, all Hindus worship Ram at various temples,
especially in Ram Janaki Temple in Janakpur. Sacrificing of
roosters, goats, and buffaloes at temples are main activities
of this day.
Venue : Ram Janaki Temple in Janakpur
and other Ram Temples
Date : 12 th of bright forth night of Chaitra
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