INSIDE HIMALAYAS | NEPAL | TIBET | BHUTAN
INSIDE HIMALAYAS | NEPAL | TIBET | BHUTAN
Major festivals of Nepal
15 January | Maghe Sankranti
21 May | Buddha Jayanti
7 August | Naag Panchami
Buddha Jayanti –May 21 - Buddha Jayanti is the day to celebrate
the birth of Siddhartha Gautam, who - later on - after receiving
Nirvana becomes Buddha and spreads words of peace and
wisdom to the World. Buddha was born in Lumbini, Nepal. Since
Buddhism is a major religion of Nepal, Buddha Jayanti is one of
the biggest festivals of Nepal.
It is said that Kathmandu valley once used to be a big lake. Naag
(snakes) became extremely angry against humans when we drained
the lake to make it habitable. To protect themselves against the anger
of the Nagas, the people of Kathmandu gave them certain areas as
pilgrimage destinations and promised to worship them on this day,
returning a harmony in nature. This has been continued till now, and
on 7th August 2016, we will celebrate this festival with gusto.
25 August | Krishna Janmashtami
1 Oct - Dashain | 28 Oct - Tihar
1 February | Basanta Panchami
Maghe Sankranti (festival) symbolizes the beginning of new
holy seasons mostly a farewell to cold winter. But, also it is
a feast for upcoming spring and harvest season. Devotees
believe any auspicious and sacred rituals can be performed on
Makar Sankranti day. This day marks the end of cold nights, and
beginning of warmer and longer days.
Basanta Panchami is the festival when the long winter ends and
spring starts. On this day, devotees from all around the country
worship Goddess Saraswati; who is the goddess of knowledge as
well as the creator of arts, education, and music. People believe
that this day, under the blessing of Goddess Saraswati, is the
most auspicious time to get married.
24 February | Maha Shivaratri
12 March | Holi
This day celebrates the birth of the Hindu Lord, Krishna. the most
colorful lord according to Vedas. On this day, the Krishna T emple
of Patan, built in 1637 A.D, becomes as colorful and beautiful as
one of his Hindu brides.
The festival is dedicated to Lord Shiva and celebrated by Hindus
the world over. The famous Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu
is the main venue for the festival here. A large number of sadhus
(holy men) from India congregate at the site making for a colourful
spectacle. Similar celebrations take place all over the country’s
smaller Shiva temples.
The festival is observed to celebrate the triumph over a demon,
Holika, who agreed on a plan to kill prince Prahlad, an ardent
devotee of Lord Vishnu. During this festival, people smear and
splash colours and coloured water on each other.
28 March | Ghodejatra
6 May | Mata Tirtha Aushi
17th September | Indra Jatra
Dashain and Tihar are the, two most important national Hindu
festivals of Nepal, when the majority of the population of Nepal
celebrate with the great enthusiasm. Both festivals have history of
the victory over darkness. Dashain and Tihar are about worshipping
goddesses.
At Dashain, Durga (the national goddess of the army) and her
various forms are worshipped to protect us from evil spirits. Tihar is
about worshipping Laxmi, goddess of wealth, in order to bless us.
6 November | Chaat
This is dedicated to Chhatti Mai
(Goddess of Power) and is a festival
held in high esteem by the people
in the Terai mostly. The festival is
exclusively observed by women
who worship the rising sun while
immersed in knee deep water of
sacred rivers or ponds.
Lhosar: 30 Dec-Tamu | 28 Jan-Sonam
Ghode Jatra falls on the new moon, normally in April, according to
the Eastern Lunar calendar. This festival is highly appreciated and
celebrated by Nepal army and police with a big horse parade
that takes place at Tundikhel.
Ghode Jatra is the victory over a demon named Tundi who
resided over the field known as Tundikhel. Tundi was caused
great terror, but when he died, people cheered by dancing on
his body with horses (Godha). It is believed that the galloping
of horses on Ghode Jatra at Tundikhel keeps the demon’s sprit
under the ground.
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www.insidehimalayas.com | By Royal Mountain Travel | 2016
2 Feb-Gyalpo
Matatirtha Aushi, also known as Mother’s Day in Nepal, is regarded as
a very pious day. Those who have lost their mother, pay her homage
by giving Sida Daan (charity) to a pandit (holy priest).
Generally people, around Kathmandu, visit Mata Tirtha, a holy place
9 Kilometers north west of Kathmandu to perform ritual acts in honor
of their deceased mother. Sons and daughters offer delicious foods
and gifts to their mothers and devotees also go to holy rivers for a
holy bath.
Indra is the lord of rain and the god of heaven. The festival honors
Bhairab, a manifestation of Shiva, who is believed to destroy
evil. Indra Jatra is celebrated by masked dances of deities and
demons, and of displays of sacred images and tableaus in honor
of the deity Indra, the king of heaven. During the Indra Jatra
festival there is the Kumari Jatra, the chariot procession of the
living goddess, Kumari.
Lhosar is mainly celebrated by
Tamu (Gurung), Tamang and Sherpa
communities as well as Tibetans.
Lhosar is the first day of a new year,
and each community celebrates it in
their own style. known as Tola Lhosar
gto Tamus, Tamangs and Sherpas
celebrate Sonam Lhosar and Gyalpo
Lhosar respectively.
www.insidehimalayas.com | By Royal Mountain Travel | 2016
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