Nepal Festivals
Nepal is not only the land of mountains; it is also the land of festivals. There are more than 50 festivals celebrated in Nepal every year. While the national festivals have fixed dates, religious festivals are set by astrologers following the lunar calendar. The best part about the festivals in Nepal is that all the events are celebrated with the same enthusiasm and galore the way it used to be hundreds of years ago when people had no other means of entertainment.
New Year:
It is known as “Navavarsha” in Nepal. Nepal has its official calendar that begins from the first day of the first month Baisakh. This very first day is observed as Nepali New Year which usually falls in the second week of April. People go for picnics, have get-togethers and celebrate the day socializing in various ways as this day is also a national holiday.
Lhosar (Tibetan New Year):
This is the New Year of the Tibetans and Sherpas of Nepal which falls in February. The Buddhist monasteries in Kathmandu like Boudhanath and Swayambhunath are decorated with eye catching colorful prayer flags pulling the crowd. The people perform their traditional dances and welcome their New Year with feasts and family gatherings wearing all the new clothes and finest jewelries and exchanging gifts.
Saraswati Puja:
Saraswati Puja or Shree Panchami is a day to celebrate the birthday of Saraswati – the Goddess of Learning. This is a day when people from school students to scholars worship their pens and books to please the Goddess and expect her favor in their studies so they become wise and knowledgeable. People also throng around the idol of Goddess Saraswati, especially in Swayambhunath and offer flowers, sweets, fruits, etc. On this day, small children are taught to read and write and people write on the stones and slabs with chalks and pencils. This day which falls between January/February is regarded as a very auspicious day for marriages too as it is believed that Goddess Saraswati herself blesses the couples. Normally it is the astrologers who fix the marriage date and time in Nepal.
Shivaratri (Maha Shivaratri):
Shivaratri or the night of Lord Shiva that falls sometime between February/March is one of the major festivals of Nepal. This day is dedicated to the Lord of the Lords – Lord Shiva or Mahadev who lived in Mt. Kailash in the Himalayas. Lord Shiva is the most worshipped God in the Hindu religion. More than 100,000 of Hindu devotees from India and Southeast Asia throng weeks ahead of the festival and gather in and around Pashupatinath temple – one of the holiest shrines of the Hindus in Kathmandu to pay their homage to Lord Shiva on his birthday. “Pashupatinath” literally means “the Lord of animals” as Lord Shiva is considered as the guardian and protector of everything that exists in the Himalayan Kingdom. On this holy day, worshippers take dip and bath in the holy river at early dawn and fast for the whole day and stay around fire to keep them warm as it is still winter in Nepal. The devotees also freely indulge in using marijuana and other intoxicating substances as these things are believed to please Lord Shiva and marijuana use is legal only on this sacred day. More ...
Holi:
This festival of water and colors that falls between February/March is also known as “Phagu” in Nepal. This day is observed to rejoice the extermination of female demon Holika who together with her King brother conspired to kill his son Pralhad, an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu. This day, playful people especially the young ones wander through the streets in groups on foot or vehicles with various colors smeared all over them and the people in houses make merry throwing colors and water balloons at each other and also to these people on the streets.
Ghode Jatra (Festival of Horses):
This festival takes place between March/April and a grand horse parade takes place at Tundikhel. Although this festival does not have much of religious aspects, a large number of people, even from outside Kathmandu flock around Kathmandu to witness the horse race and other exciting sports activities performed by the Army in the presence of the King and the Royal family.
Buddha Jayanti:
Buddha’s birth anniversary is celebrated every year during May in Nepal. On this day people swarm in Swayambhunath and Boudhanath to pay homage to Lord Buddha and also visit Buddha’s birth place in Lumbini and chant prayers and burn butter lamps. Lord Buddha was born as Prince Siddhartha Gautam but he abandoned his luxurious life when he realized the misery of mankind and went in search of enlightenment.
Gai Jatra (Cow Festival):
This festival of cow is celebrated every year in August/September. This is one of the most popular festivals in Nepal as it is full of humor, satire, comedy, mockery and shades of sadness too at the same time. And on this day satires and jokes on anybody is legal. As per the tradition, the family who has lost a relative during the past one year must take part in a procession by sending young boys in cow like attire and walk through the streets of Kathmandu lead by a cow. Cow is regarded as a Goddess and it is also the national animal of Nepal. This festival also purges many who have lost their loved ones as they get to console themselves as to they are not the only ones who have been bereaved and it also teaches to accept death as a part of life.
Krishna Janmastami:
The birth anniversary of Lord Sri Krishna, believed to be the 8th incarnation of Lord Vishnu falls sometime in August/September. All the devotees assemble in Krishna Mandir, the ancient Krishna Temple in Patan Durbar Square and other temples with the idol of Sri Krishna and offer prayers, flowers, food, sweets and chant hymns too.
Teej:
This is a Hindu married woman’s day for her man. This festival is celebrated in August/September. Women clad in beautiful red saris with shining potes (glass beads), singing and dancing is the sight almost everywhere in Nepal during the festival of Teej. On this day women observe a fast and pray Lord Shiva for the long, healthy and prosperous life of their husbands and their families. The unmarried women also observe this festival with unabated zeal with the hope that they will get to marry good husbands. From early dawn, women queue up in the multiple lines in Pashupatinath to offer their prayers to Lord Shiva.
Indra Jatra:
This festival named after Lord Indra- the God of Rain and also the King of Heaven is celebrated by both the Buddhists and Hindus in Nepal in August/September. This festival lasts for eight days with singing, mask dancing and rejoicing. The chariot of Kumari – the Living Goddess is taken through the main streets of Kathmandu with much fanfare. On the first day, the King of Nepal also pays homage to Goddess Kumari. The crowd of excited people from performers to spectators engulfs the streets of Kathmandu during this festival. People get to enjoy various classical dances like elephant dance, lakhe – a very popular dance of a man with a mask.
Tihar:
This festival of lights that falls between October/November is the second biggest festival after Dashain. This festival lasts for five days and people worship Laxmi – the Goddess of Wealth. All the houses are cleaned and decorated with the belief that Goddess Laxmi will enter the house that is the cleanest and people lit candles, oil lamps and other lights and the whole place looks illuminating. During the five days, crows, dogs and cows are worshipped and honored with vermilion, garland and delicious food for what they have done in the lives of humans. Crows are regarded as the messenger that brought news even during the times when there were no postmen and no postal services. Dogs are the most obedient animals and they guard our house as true guardians. Cow is also a symbol of wealth in Hinduism and she is also the national animal of Nepal. During Tihar, the Newari community in Nepal also observes Mha puja – a ritual of worshipping one’s own body and life. On this very day, the Newari New Year which is also known as Nepal Sambat begins. The festival ends with Bhai Tika – brothers’ day when his sisters worship him for his long and healthy life to safeguard the lives of his sisters. This is also a gambling time in Nepal as gambling is not illegal during this festival.
Dashin :
Dashain is the national festival of Nepal. Dashain symbolizes the victory of gods over demons and victory of good over the evil. According to Hindu philosophy, a demon called ‘Maishasura’ was killed by goddess Durga and saved everyone from his evils. Thus, dashain is celebrated for this victory over the demon. Goddess Durga is considered as the goddess of power and justice. Dashain is celebrated by Hindus all over the world. It has special significance in Hinduism and is celebrated for 15 days.
The first day of Dashain is known as ‘Ghatasthapana’. Dashain starts with planting of jamara. On this day, every household prepares a nice pot known as ‘kalash’ and cover its outer part with holy cow dung and ‘jau’ (barley). Pure sand is collected to produce jamara from barley. Generally, supreme male member of the family performs puja every morning and evening and worship goddess durga and the kalash. The second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth day of dashain is celebrated by visiting different temples, worshipping goddess durga and mahakali and performing regular puja at home.
The seventh day of Dashain is known as fulpati. On this day ‘fulpati’ (different types of flowers, jamara and banana stalks necessary) for vijaya dashami (tenth day of dashain) are brought to Kathmandu durbar square from Gorkha dashain ghar. A special program is organized by the government where Nepalese army performs parade and majestic displays along with gun fire. Every general family according to their ritual brings their fulpati in their dashain ghar. Government holiday starts from the day of fulpati. People enjoy the festival by involving themselves in playing card, flying kites and eat varieties of foods along with meat cuisines.
The eight day of Dashain is known as Astami or Maha Astami. On this day, people visit different temples of goddess Durga Bhawani and Mahakali. There are number of temples of durga bhawani and mahakali in Kathmandu valley and around the Kathmandu valley. These temples are specially known as ‘shakti peeths’. Large number of people can be seen in these temples. Maha astami is believed to be the main day of dashain. Temples like naxal bhagawati, guheshwori, maitidevi, kalikasthan, bhadrakali, sobhabhagawati, nardevi, palanchowk bhagawati, dakshinkali, bagalamukhi and taleju bhawani are specially visited during dashain. All these temples have their own cultural and historical significance. Numbers of animals are sacrificed to the goddess in taleju temple on the night of maha astami. Devotees throng over all these temples in hoping to eliminate troubles, ego, and any other destroying factor from their lives. Some offer animal sacrifices to durga bhawani or some offer other offerings. One can see large number of animal sacrifices in temples of durga bhawani and mahakali during dashain. Every household according to their financial status sacrifices male goats, duck, buffalo, etc. in their house.
The ninth day of dashain is known as ‘Mahanawami’. Regular puja of dashain is carried out as usual. People worship their vehicles, instruments, machines on this day. Some offer animal sacrifices to machines and some offer coconuts in replacement of animals. Taleju bhawani temple at Hanumandhoka Durbar Square is opened once a year on this day for general public. Devotees queue up at the temple from all early in the morning till the evening to worship the goddess.
The tenth day of dashain is known as Vijaya Dashami. On this day, the planted jamara and kalash is taken out from the puja ghar and the eldest member of the family provides jamara and red tika to all the family members. People receive tika, jamara and blessings from their elders and relatives. There is also a culture of giving ‘dakshina’ (money gift) to younger ones. Everyone make themselves ready with new clothes and lovely ornaments while receiving tika. Special meat cuisines and other food items are prepared in every household according to their financial budget. People involve themselves in receiving tika from their relatives, inviting friends and relatives for lunch or dinner during tika days of dashain. This celebration is carried out for four days.
The last day of dashain is known as Kojagrat Purnima (full moon day). On this day the planted jamara and other flowers collected for tika are dispatched from the house. Goddess Laxmi, god of wealth is worshipped on this day. It is believed that goddess Laxmi visit homes of people who are awake all night. So people indulge themselves in playing cards all night and enjoy on their own.
Dashain festival falls around the month of October and November. The weather during dashain is super fine (Neither so hot nor so cold). People get involved in different kinds of fun activities with the starting of dashain. It includes playing cards, playing swing, flying kites, etc. A week long government holiday is given to everyone to celebrate dashain. Shopping is another exciting aspect of dashain. Parents buy new clothes for their children and even for themselves. Dashain is all about celebration, tradition, respect, fun and preservation of culture.
New Year:
It is known as “Navavarsha” in Nepal. Nepal has its official calendar that begins from the first day of the first month Baisakh. This very first day is observed as Nepali New Year which usually falls in the second week of April. People go for picnics, have get-togethers and celebrate the day socializing in various ways as this day is also a national holiday.
Lhosar (Tibetan New Year):
This is the New Year of the Tibetans and Sherpas of Nepal which falls in February. The Buddhist monasteries in Kathmandu like Boudhanath and Swayambhunath are decorated with eye catching colorful prayer flags pulling the crowd. The people perform their traditional dances and welcome their New Year with feasts and family gatherings wearing all the new clothes and finest jewelries and exchanging gifts.
Saraswati Puja:
Saraswati Puja or Shree Panchami is a day to celebrate the birthday of Saraswati – the Goddess of Learning. This is a day when people from school students to scholars worship their pens and books to please the Goddess and expect her favor in their studies so they become wise and knowledgeable. People also throng around the idol of Goddess Saraswati, especially in Swayambhunath and offer flowers, sweets, fruits, etc. On this day, small children are taught to read and write and people write on the stones and slabs with chalks and pencils. This day which falls between January/February is regarded as a very auspicious day for marriages too as it is believed that Goddess Saraswati herself blesses the couples. Normally it is the astrologers who fix the marriage date and time in Nepal.
Shivaratri (Maha Shivaratri):
Shivaratri or the night of Lord Shiva that falls sometime between February/March is one of the major festivals of Nepal. This day is dedicated to the Lord of the Lords – Lord Shiva or Mahadev who lived in Mt. Kailash in the Himalayas. Lord Shiva is the most worshipped God in the Hindu religion. More than 100,000 of Hindu devotees from India and Southeast Asia throng weeks ahead of the festival and gather in and around Pashupatinath temple – one of the holiest shrines of the Hindus in Kathmandu to pay their homage to Lord Shiva on his birthday. “Pashupatinath” literally means “the Lord of animals” as Lord Shiva is considered as the guardian and protector of everything that exists in the Himalayan Kingdom. On this holy day, worshippers take dip and bath in the holy river at early dawn and fast for the whole day and stay around fire to keep them warm as it is still winter in Nepal. The devotees also freely indulge in using marijuana and other intoxicating substances as these things are believed to please Lord Shiva and marijuana use is legal only on this sacred day. More ...
Holi:
This festival of water and colors that falls between February/March is also known as “Phagu” in Nepal. This day is observed to rejoice the extermination of female demon Holika who together with her King brother conspired to kill his son Pralhad, an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu. This day, playful people especially the young ones wander through the streets in groups on foot or vehicles with various colors smeared all over them and the people in houses make merry throwing colors and water balloons at each other and also to these people on the streets.
Ghode Jatra (Festival of Horses):
This festival takes place between March/April and a grand horse parade takes place at Tundikhel. Although this festival does not have much of religious aspects, a large number of people, even from outside Kathmandu flock around Kathmandu to witness the horse race and other exciting sports activities performed by the Army in the presence of the King and the Royal family.
Buddha Jayanti:
Buddha’s birth anniversary is celebrated every year during May in Nepal. On this day people swarm in Swayambhunath and Boudhanath to pay homage to Lord Buddha and also visit Buddha’s birth place in Lumbini and chant prayers and burn butter lamps. Lord Buddha was born as Prince Siddhartha Gautam but he abandoned his luxurious life when he realized the misery of mankind and went in search of enlightenment.
Gai Jatra (Cow Festival):
This festival of cow is celebrated every year in August/September. This is one of the most popular festivals in Nepal as it is full of humor, satire, comedy, mockery and shades of sadness too at the same time. And on this day satires and jokes on anybody is legal. As per the tradition, the family who has lost a relative during the past one year must take part in a procession by sending young boys in cow like attire and walk through the streets of Kathmandu lead by a cow. Cow is regarded as a Goddess and it is also the national animal of Nepal. This festival also purges many who have lost their loved ones as they get to console themselves as to they are not the only ones who have been bereaved and it also teaches to accept death as a part of life.
Krishna Janmastami:
The birth anniversary of Lord Sri Krishna, believed to be the 8th incarnation of Lord Vishnu falls sometime in August/September. All the devotees assemble in Krishna Mandir, the ancient Krishna Temple in Patan Durbar Square and other temples with the idol of Sri Krishna and offer prayers, flowers, food, sweets and chant hymns too.
Teej:
This is a Hindu married woman’s day for her man. This festival is celebrated in August/September. Women clad in beautiful red saris with shining potes (glass beads), singing and dancing is the sight almost everywhere in Nepal during the festival of Teej. On this day women observe a fast and pray Lord Shiva for the long, healthy and prosperous life of their husbands and their families. The unmarried women also observe this festival with unabated zeal with the hope that they will get to marry good husbands. From early dawn, women queue up in the multiple lines in Pashupatinath to offer their prayers to Lord Shiva.
Indra Jatra:
This festival named after Lord Indra- the God of Rain and also the King of Heaven is celebrated by both the Buddhists and Hindus in Nepal in August/September. This festival lasts for eight days with singing, mask dancing and rejoicing. The chariot of Kumari – the Living Goddess is taken through the main streets of Kathmandu with much fanfare. On the first day, the King of Nepal also pays homage to Goddess Kumari. The crowd of excited people from performers to spectators engulfs the streets of Kathmandu during this festival. People get to enjoy various classical dances like elephant dance, lakhe – a very popular dance of a man with a mask.
Tihar:
This festival of lights that falls between October/November is the second biggest festival after Dashain. This festival lasts for five days and people worship Laxmi – the Goddess of Wealth. All the houses are cleaned and decorated with the belief that Goddess Laxmi will enter the house that is the cleanest and people lit candles, oil lamps and other lights and the whole place looks illuminating. During the five days, crows, dogs and cows are worshipped and honored with vermilion, garland and delicious food for what they have done in the lives of humans. Crows are regarded as the messenger that brought news even during the times when there were no postmen and no postal services. Dogs are the most obedient animals and they guard our house as true guardians. Cow is also a symbol of wealth in Hinduism and she is also the national animal of Nepal. During Tihar, the Newari community in Nepal also observes Mha puja – a ritual of worshipping one’s own body and life. On this very day, the Newari New Year which is also known as Nepal Sambat begins. The festival ends with Bhai Tika – brothers’ day when his sisters worship him for his long and healthy life to safeguard the lives of his sisters. This is also a gambling time in Nepal as gambling is not illegal during this festival.
Dashin :
Dashain is the national festival of Nepal. Dashain symbolizes the victory of gods over demons and victory of good over the evil. According to Hindu philosophy, a demon called ‘Maishasura’ was killed by goddess Durga and saved everyone from his evils. Thus, dashain is celebrated for this victory over the demon. Goddess Durga is considered as the goddess of power and justice. Dashain is celebrated by Hindus all over the world. It has special significance in Hinduism and is celebrated for 15 days.
The first day of Dashain is known as ‘Ghatasthapana’. Dashain starts with planting of jamara. On this day, every household prepares a nice pot known as ‘kalash’ and cover its outer part with holy cow dung and ‘jau’ (barley). Pure sand is collected to produce jamara from barley. Generally, supreme male member of the family performs puja every morning and evening and worship goddess durga and the kalash. The second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth day of dashain is celebrated by visiting different temples, worshipping goddess durga and mahakali and performing regular puja at home.
The seventh day of Dashain is known as fulpati. On this day ‘fulpati’ (different types of flowers, jamara and banana stalks necessary) for vijaya dashami (tenth day of dashain) are brought to Kathmandu durbar square from Gorkha dashain ghar. A special program is organized by the government where Nepalese army performs parade and majestic displays along with gun fire. Every general family according to their ritual brings their fulpati in their dashain ghar. Government holiday starts from the day of fulpati. People enjoy the festival by involving themselves in playing card, flying kites and eat varieties of foods along with meat cuisines.
The eight day of Dashain is known as Astami or Maha Astami. On this day, people visit different temples of goddess Durga Bhawani and Mahakali. There are number of temples of durga bhawani and mahakali in Kathmandu valley and around the Kathmandu valley. These temples are specially known as ‘shakti peeths’. Large number of people can be seen in these temples. Maha astami is believed to be the main day of dashain. Temples like naxal bhagawati, guheshwori, maitidevi, kalikasthan, bhadrakali, sobhabhagawati, nardevi, palanchowk bhagawati, dakshinkali, bagalamukhi and taleju bhawani are specially visited during dashain. All these temples have their own cultural and historical significance. Numbers of animals are sacrificed to the goddess in taleju temple on the night of maha astami. Devotees throng over all these temples in hoping to eliminate troubles, ego, and any other destroying factor from their lives. Some offer animal sacrifices to durga bhawani or some offer other offerings. One can see large number of animal sacrifices in temples of durga bhawani and mahakali during dashain. Every household according to their financial status sacrifices male goats, duck, buffalo, etc. in their house.
The ninth day of dashain is known as ‘Mahanawami’. Regular puja of dashain is carried out as usual. People worship their vehicles, instruments, machines on this day. Some offer animal sacrifices to machines and some offer coconuts in replacement of animals. Taleju bhawani temple at Hanumandhoka Durbar Square is opened once a year on this day for general public. Devotees queue up at the temple from all early in the morning till the evening to worship the goddess.
The tenth day of dashain is known as Vijaya Dashami. On this day, the planted jamara and kalash is taken out from the puja ghar and the eldest member of the family provides jamara and red tika to all the family members. People receive tika, jamara and blessings from their elders and relatives. There is also a culture of giving ‘dakshina’ (money gift) to younger ones. Everyone make themselves ready with new clothes and lovely ornaments while receiving tika. Special meat cuisines and other food items are prepared in every household according to their financial budget. People involve themselves in receiving tika from their relatives, inviting friends and relatives for lunch or dinner during tika days of dashain. This celebration is carried out for four days.
The last day of dashain is known as Kojagrat Purnima (full moon day). On this day the planted jamara and other flowers collected for tika are dispatched from the house. Goddess Laxmi, god of wealth is worshipped on this day. It is believed that goddess Laxmi visit homes of people who are awake all night. So people indulge themselves in playing cards all night and enjoy on their own.
Dashain festival falls around the month of October and November. The weather during dashain is super fine (Neither so hot nor so cold). People get involved in different kinds of fun activities with the starting of dashain. It includes playing cards, playing swing, flying kites, etc. A week long government holiday is given to everyone to celebrate dashain. Shopping is another exciting aspect of dashain. Parents buy new clothes for their children and even for themselves. Dashain is all about celebration, tradition, respect, fun and preservation of culture.