Royal Mountain Travel Magazine Royal Mountain Travel Magazine Issue 1 | Page 65

August 14: Gai Jatra
This festival came into tradition during
the reign of the Malla kings. Once, when
King Pratap Malla lost his son, his wife was
deeply saddened. The king ordered every
family who had lost one relative during
the past year to participate in a procession
throughthestreetsofKathmanduleadinga
cow. If a cow was unavailable then a young
boy was to be dressed up as a cow instead.
This was to show the queen that it was not
only she who had grieved but many had
shared her grief, so that was no reason to
remain sad all the time.The funnily dressed
procession also served another purpose,
that of making the queen smile. Later, the
festival went on to be an occasion during
which people could freely lampoon their
leadersandrainsarcasmontheillsofsociety.

August 22: Krishna Janmashtami
This is to celebrate the birth of one of
the most colourful gods in Hinduism,
Lord Krishna.

August 31: Haritalika Teez
Teej is the most anticipated festival for Hindu
women who worship Lord Shiva. They fast
for the long, peaceful, and prosperous life of
their husband, children and family. Married
women seek her blessings and unmarried
women pray to be imbibed by her spirit
and to be blessed with a husband like Shiva.

September 2: Rishi Panchami
Nepalese women take a traditional holy
bath before fasting to mark the Rishi
Panchami Festival. On the occasion, women
worship Sapta Rishi (seven saints) for the
forgiveness of sins committed during their
monthly periods throughout the year.

September 11:
Indra Jatra
This is an eight
day long festival
celebrated by the
Newars of the
KathmanduValley
to thank Lord
Indra, the God
of Rain, for blessing the valley with a good
monsoon. Chariots of Kumari, the Living
Goddess, Lord Ganesha and Lord Bhairav are
pulledaroundthecityforthreedays.Ganesha
is the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati
while Bhairav is a reincarnation of Lord Shiva.

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September 28:
Ghatasthapna
This marks the
first day of the
biggest
Hindu
festival Dashain.
The first nine days
signify the nine
days of battle between the Goddess Durga
and the demon Mahisasur. The tenth day
is the day when Mahisasur was slain and
the last five days are to celebrate the victory.

October 3 –
October 11:
Dashain
Various festivities
take place during
thesedaystocelebrate
thegreatestofHindu
festivals, Dashain.

October 26
October 28:
Tihar
Also known as
Deepawali
or
Laxmi Puja, it is
referred to as a festival of lights and is a five day
affair during which time, different animals like
the crow, dog and cow are worshipped, besides
of course, the Hindu Goddess of Wealth,
Goddess Laxmi. Bhai Tika is when sisters
worship their brothers and falls on the last day.

November 1: Chhat Parva
This is dedicated to Chhatti Mai (Goddess of
Power) and is a festival held in high esteem
by the people of the Terai. The festival
is exclusively observed by women who
worship the rising sun while immersed in

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