|
A festival is always a meaningful event in Nepal
where the people find more joy in participation
than just watching. In Nepal every festival has
some purpose to serve; such as to bring rain or
to have good harvest, to honor a mother or
father, to avert calamities or to nourish one’s
soul with something spiritual. In fact festivals
are the best way to understand and appreciate
the Nepalese way of life.
Navavarsha (April): The Nepalese New
Year’s Day usually falls in the second week of
April i.e. the first day of Baisakh. The day is
observed as a national holiday. The people
celebrate it with a great pomp and show. On this
occasion, Bisket Jatra is held in the City of
Bhaktapur.
Baisakh Poornima (April): As Nepal is
birthplace of Lord Buddha, the Light of Asia,
the triple anniversary of the Buddha’s birth,
enlightenment and death is observed with many
colorful ceremonies on this day. People
celebrate the occasion with great veneration
paying homage to Buddha at places like
Swayambhunath, Bouddhanath and Lumbini.
Red Machchhendranath Rath Jatra (May-June):
This festival is the biggest socio-cultural
event of Patan. The wheeled chariot of a deity
known as Bungdyo or Red Machchhendranath is made
at Pulchowk and dragged through the city of
Patan in several stages till it reaches the
appointed destination Lagankhel. The grand
finale of the festival is called the “Bhoto
Dekhaune” or the “ showing of the vest”. A
similar kind of chariot festival White
Machchhendranath is also held in Kathmandu City
in the month of March-April.
Dumji (July): It is celebrated in all the
Sherpa settlements. The Sherpas of Kathmandu and
Helambu regions participate in dancing on this
day.
Mani Rimdu (Nov-Dec): It is a Sherpa
dance drama performed in the Khumbu Region. It
is held annually at Tengboche and Chiwong
monastries and at Thami Gomba. The performers
are monk and the occasion is highlighted by much
gaiety and feasting.
Gaijatra (July-Aug): Gaijatra, popularly
known as Cow festival, is a carnival that lasts
eight days. Dancing, singing comedy and anything
that causes mirth and laughter are its
highlights.
Krishnastami (July-Aug): It marks the
birthday of Lord Krishna. On this day,
impressive ceremonies are conducted at the
Krishna temple in Patan and at Changu Narayan.
Indrajatra (Aug-Sep): The festival of
Indra, the god of rain, is observed with great
enthusiasm in Kathmandu valley. The festival
lasts for eight days. The chariot of Kumari, the
Living Goddess, is taken out in procession
through the main streets of Kathmandu. The
festival is specially noted for the echoes of
drums and dancing feet of the masked dancers.
Dashain / Durga Puja (Sep-Oct): The
Dashain festival is the most important festival
of the Neplease. The entire country is in
enthusiastic holiday mood at the time of the
festival.
Tihar (Oct-Nov): Known as the “Festival
of Lights”, Tihar is celebrated for five days.
Houses are illuminated at night and special
sweets of different varieties are prepared.
Vibhaha Panchami (Nov-Dec): This is a
famous festival of Janakpur in the eastern Terai.
The occasion commemorates the marriage of Sita
to Ram, one of the most venerated Hindu
divinities. It attracts thousands of pilgrims
from India to Janakpur.
Lhosar (Feb): This festival is most
impressively observed in the month of February
by the Sherpas. They organize folk songs and
dances on this occasion. These dances can be
seen in Khumbu, Helambu and other northern
regions of Nepal and also at Bouddhanath in
Kathmandu.
Maha Shivaratri (Feb): Shivaratri or the
night of Lord Shiva is observed in February-
March. It is celebrated in honor of Lord Shiva.
A great religious fair takes place in the
Pasupatinath Temple and thousands of people from
all over Nepal and India flock the Temple to
worship Lord Shiva.
Ghodejatra (March-April): Known as the
Festival Of Horses, it is one of the most
exciting festivals of Kathmandu. Horse race and
other sports take place at Tundikhel on this
day. It other parts of the city, various deities
are carried shoulder-high on palanquin (khat) to
the accompaniment of traditional music.
Teej (Aug-Sep): Teej is a Hindu festival
celebrated by women. Dancing, folk song and the
red color of women’s wedding saris dominate the
days of Teej. Women observe a fast flock to
shiva temples where married once pray for a
happy conjugal life and unmarried ones for a
good husband. |
