Major Festivals of Nepal
Nepal is a Land of Festivals which begins with religion, ending as social event.
Several festivals are celebrated in Nepal. The dates of most festivals are fixed
by famous astrologers after consulting the lunar calendar. . Dashain is the longest
and the most important festival of Nepal. Tihar is another important festival of
Nepal.
Other important festivals include Buddha Jayanti (the celebration of the birth of
Buddha); Maha Shivaratri, a festival of Lord Shiva.
Cultural acts of dances and songs are integral parts of some celebrations while
some celebrations are just quiet family gatherings. Grand celebrations like Ghode
Jatra and Gai Jatra entertain participants and spectators every year.
CELEBRATION & EVENTS
- Maghe Sankranti
Nepalese festival observed in the month of January on the first day of the month
of Magh, bringing an end to the ill-omened month of Poush when all religious ceremonies
are forbidden. On this day, the sun leaves its southernmost position and takes off
for its northward journey, so Maghe Sankranti is similar to solstice festivals in
many other traditions.[1] People take Holy Bathing in this festival and auspicious
foods like laddoo, ghee, sweet potatoes etc are distributed. Mother of the house
wishes good health to all family members. According to Mahabharata, king Bhisma,
who had the power to control his own death, happened to choose to die on the day
of Maghe Sakranti. Therefore it is believed that one to die on this day might achieve
Moksha, a release from rebirth cycle.
- Maha Shiva Ratri
This popular festival is dedicated to Lord Shiva and celebrated by Hindus all over
the world. Maha Shivaratri is celebrated in Nepal at the Pashupati Temple in Kathmandu.
This is an incredible spectacle, with devotees paying tribute to Lord Shiva by smearing
their bodies in ashes and praying until they fall into a meditative state. The festival
falls on the moonless night of the month of Phalguna and prayers and ceremonies
continue late into the night
- Holi or Festval of colors
The festival takes place on the last day of Phagun. In Nepal, a wooden post, known
as a chir is adorned with flags and erected in front of the palace. It is burned
at night, representing the burning of the body of the old year.
- Ghode Jatra
Traditionally on the 15th of Chait, all horses and ponies belonging to government
servants were assembled at the grand parade ground and entered into a race in front
of the king and top officials who are stationed around a central monument. The monument
bore Sir Jang Bahadur's statue. After the event, gambling is allowed for two days
and nights and the festival ends with an illumination of the monument. In 1875,
Bahadur's statue and four dragon monuments were moved into a newly built temple
in his honor, hence the location of the festival moved.
- Buddha Jayanti - Birthday of Lord Buddha
The celebration of the birth of Buddha.
- Gai Jatra
This entirely Newar festival is held on the 1st day of Bhadon. Newars who have lost
loved ones during the year traditionally disguised themselves as cows and danced
around the palace of the king.[1] However, in modern times, the ceremony is performed
only as a masked dance with the singing of songs.
- Indra Jatra
The Indra Jatra festival begins on the 26th of Bhadon and lasts for eight days.
On the first day a lofty wooden post is erected before the king's palace and dancers
from all across Nepal perform with masks. If an earthquake ever occurred on the
opening day of the festival this was considered a bad omen and the festival would
have to be restarted.[1] On the third day, young virgins are brought before the
king and worshipped and then carried through Kathmandu, mounted on oars.
- Dashain
Dashain is the 15-day national festival of Nepal.The festival falls around September-October,
after the rice harvest. This festival is known for emphasis on family gatherings,
as well as on a renewal of community ties. People will return from all parts of
the world, as well as different parts of the country, to celebrate together.
- Tihar
Five-day Nepalese festival celebrated in late autumn, which comes soon after Dashain.
The name Tihar means the festival of lights, explaining the many candles lighted.The
five day festival is considered to be of great importance as it shows reverence
to not just the humans and the Gods, but also to the animals like crow, cow and
dog, who maintain an intense relationship with the humans.The fifth and last day
of Tihar is Bhai Tika, a day where sisters put "Tika" on forehead of brothers, to
ensure long life, and thank them for the protection they give.When the sisters give
the "Tika", the brothers give gifts or money as a return. A special garland is made
for the brothers out of a flower that wilts after a couple of months, symbolizing
the sister's prayer of her brother's long life.
