Festival In Nepal:
Nepal is especially known as land of festivals. Festivals are not merely inpressive but also the living part of their rich cultural heritage. In Nepal there are more than 50festivals celebrated once a year by Nepalese but most of the festivals have religious significance and some have historical significance and some others have seasonal significance. Most of the festivals are celebrated related with different Hindu and Biddhist god and they are celebrated by religion and tradition accordingly.There are some festivals like Matatirtha(Mother’s Day), Gokarna Aunsi(Father’s Day), Gai Jatra(for the people who are passed away) celebrated or observed in honor of personal relatives. Dashain, Tihar are the festivals which are celebrated on National significance. Dashain is celebration of Goddess Bhagawati’s victory over evil Mahisashur where as the Tihar, a celebration of lights especially dedicated to Goddess Laxmi. But in Nepal some of the festivals are celebrated within one or two villages or cities. The dates of festivals are fixed after consulting lunar calender by famous astrologers in Nepal.
Matatirtha(Mother’s Day):
Matatirtha(mother’s day) is celebrated on the first month Baisakh(April/May), of Nepali year. This festivals falls in a new moon light. Nepalese people have always been orientate by family so this festival is celebrated by showing the appreciation and gratitude to his/her mother for her prosperous life , unconditional love and never ending support.
Buddha Jayanti:
Buddha Jayanti is birthday celebration of Lord Buddha, dates back in about 543 B.C, which falls on Full moon night. At the time of Prince Siddharth Gautam the belief and the practice of Buddhism in Nepal dates back. Prince Siddhartha was born in the southern Terai Region of a country about 543B.C. Young prince led a very sheltered life when he was 29 in the royal palace so he was unaware of of tragedies of everyday life. One day he convinced his charioteer to take him outside of palace and he was shocked to see an old man who was disable and the dead body of human. After these all Prince Siddharth realize that there was no more in life and luxurious life as he was leading. These all made him abandon and search for enlightenment and true meaning of life. Searching these all Gautam Buddha finally got enlightenment while meditating under a pipal tree. Hence he began “Buddha” or “enlightened one”.
Ghantakarna Chaturdaasi:
Ghantakarna is known as “Gathemangal” which falls on the month of shrawan(July/August). This festival celebrates the evil spirit of demon Ghantakarna. According to the local people Ghantakarna used to frightened the public by stealing their children and used to made a unpleasant or offensive with his body painted in red blue and black . He used to make jangling noise at every moment by his pair of bells on his ears. So he was called Ghanta(bell) Karna (ears) because of Bells. Ghanta Karna was a big bully who used to demand money and other gifts from villagers.
Janai Purnima:
On the day of Janai Purnima Hindu ties a sacred thread on the wrist. So this is the festival sacred thread. On this day there is a big mela(fate) at khumbeshwor, Lalitpur. This festival also falls in the full moon night. Especially the Brahmans and Chettris change Janai, a yellow string worn across the chest or around the wrist of the right hand. This thread is only given to male after their religious ceremony called “Bratabandhan”. The Janai must be worn everyday of their lives from this day. It is belief according to the Hindu rules the thead must be change without fail by Brahman on this day pointing to the change of the thread on the auspicious full moon day.
Gai Jatra:
Gai Jatra is one of the most popular festival generally celebrated in the Nepalese month of Bhadra(August/September). There is belief that the god of death “Yamaraj”must be feared and hence worshipped. Gai Jatra festival is the procession of cows and hence the festival of cows is one of the most popular festivals of Nepal. This festival has its root in the ancient age when people feared and worshipped Yamaraj “the god of death”. During the reign of Malla kings the Gai Jatra festival came into tradition in the medieval period of Nepal. The present form of Gai Jatra is a happy blending of ancient past and connected with Middle age. Every family who have lost their relatives must be participate in this festival leavng cow according to the tradition. If there is unavailability of cow then young boy dressed as a cow and make considered as far substitute.It is believed that cow revered as a holy animal by Hindus will help the deceased relative’s journey to heaven.
Sri Krishna Janmastami:
Sri Krishna Janmastami is a birthday celebration of Lord Sri Krishna which is also known as Krishna Jayanti or Janmastami. Lord Krishna is regarded as the8th incarnation of Lord Bishnu. This falls on saptami of Bhadra (August/September). The Lord Krishna is filled with numerous dangers over which he ultimately gained victory. He killed all the demonic adversaries one after the other, Pootana, Shakata, Agha, Dhenuka, Bakaa, Keshi, Kansa, Shishupata, Jarasandha etc.
Gokarna Aunsi:
Gokarna Aunsi is the day to honour father which falls on the dark fornight of Bhadra (August/early september) which also known as Kuse Aunsi. In Nepali religion father is considered as pillar of strength, respect and supportive person of the family. This is the day when children shows their gratitude and appreciation for his guidance and support in his life. Near or far every sons and daughters come with the presents and sweets and confictions to spend the day with their fathers and touch their father’s feet wit their forheads after offering gifts, this act is done only by the sons only and daughter touch the hand. This ceremony is also called as “looking upon father’s face”.
Teej:
Teej is the special festival for women celebrated by fasting, pray for marital happiness, long life of husband and children and purification of their own body and soul. This festival takes place on Tritiya of Bhadra(August/September). This festival is celebrated for three days long that the first day of Teej is combines very expensive and looking very impressive meal with dancing and singing with group of women. The second day as well as the rigid fasting day. And at the last day women and girls takes fasting by taking one time meal. Traditionally the ritual of Teej is compulsory for Hindu women and girls who puberty except for those who are ill and physically unfit girls and women.Goddess Parvati prayed and fasted to become a spouse of Lord Shiva according to the holy books. Due to the devotion of Godess Parvati Lord Shiva took Parvati for his wife. So that Godess Parvati delivered her message to public and disseminate this religious fasting among mortal women promising prosperity and longevity with their family. Thus the festival of Teej was borned.
Indra Jatra:
The festival Indra Jatra takes places at the end of Bhadra(August/September). With great enthusiasm both Hindus and Buddhists celebrate this festival. Indra Jatra is also believed as classical dances. This festival is named after Lord Indra who is known as the god of rain and also the king of Heaven.
Dashain:
Dashain is one of the greatest and biggest festival of Nepal. Dashain isthe longest and the most auspicious festival in Nepalese annual calender celebrated Nepalese of all caste. Dashain is celebrated for 15days.that occurs during the bright lunar fornight ending on the day of full night. According to the annual calender dashain is the longest and the most auspicious festival. In this festival the goddess Durga is worshipped for all her manifestations through out the kingdom of Nepal. This is the festival celebrated by the sacrifices animal for the ritual hole bathing thus drenching the goddess for days in blood. The great festivals commemorates the victory of the gods over wicked demons. It is said that lord Ram was successful in battle only when goddess was evoked. Goddess Durga symbolized by slaying the terrible demon Mahisasur who terrorised the earth in the guise of a brutal water buffalo. The nine day symbolize the battle over demon Mahisasur by Goddess Durga and tenth day is the day of when Mahisasur was slain, last five day symbolisse the celebration of the victory with the blessing of the Goddess.
Tihar:
Tihar is the festival of dazzling light where the goddess Laxmi is worshipped who is the Goddess of wealth. This festival held on Kartik(Octover/November). Goddess Laxmi is the wife of Lord Vishnu and she was formed from the ocean and has all wealth of seas. This festival start from Kukur Puja(Dog Puja). During this festival all the house are decorated by oil lamps and flower. All the villages or city looks like sparkling diamond at the night. Tihar is celebrated for 5days. We also worship “Yamaraj” in different forms in these five days. Goddess Laxmi makes world tour on the third day of festival at midnight to see how she is worshipped.
Maghe Sankranti:
The bignning day of holy month Magh(mid January) is Maghe sankranti. The day of Maghe Sankranti is also considered as the coldest day of the year and marks as the coming warmer waether and the most significant day for holy bathing despite the weather on the banks of the holy Bagmati river below Patan the most sacred site for this purpose. They pay homage specially the temple of Red Machindranath and agima Ta.
Shree Panchami:
Shree Panchami is celebrated as the birthday of Saraswati the goddess of learning which held in Mid magh(Janaury/February). Goddess Saraswati is lily white daughter of Lord Shiva. Hence this day is also celebrated as Marty’s Day. Snow white swan is her carrier and her brother Ganesh the elephant go close at her side. Goddess Saraswat. holds a book and vina harp.
Maha Shivaratri:
Maha Shivaratri falls on the Trayadashi of month Falgun(Febraury/March) as the day of celebration dedicated to the Lord Shiva. The hindu Kingdom of Nepal is the land of Lord Shiva so we can feel the presence of Lord Shiva at everywhere. It has been stated that Mt. Kailash is the abode of Lord Shiva the destroyer of Evil and worshipped of all the gods in the Hindu religion. All over the world know him through names and forms. Shiva linga is the most common which glorifies his name regards as the symbol of creation of everything of beginning. The night of Shiva Ratri is the night of Lord Shiva when he was created by his own divine. The hindus all over the world celebrate this day with a lot of enthusiasm. The temple Pashipatinath in Kathmandu receives more than 1,00,000 HIndu worshippers from far and wide to pay their homage to Mahadev during the festival of Shiva Ratri.
Falgun Purnima:
Falgun Purnima is the festivals of colour and thus the ancient Hindu festival that falls on late february on early March. This festival is namde after the mythical demoness Holika. The another name of Holi is phagu Purnima where Phagu means the sacred red powder and Purnima is the full moon day on which the festivals ends. This festivals is celebrated with a variety of colours also with families and friends get together with a lot of merry making. The people of Terai celebrate this festival later with more pump and ceremony.
Ghode Jatra:
The Horse Racing Day, Ghode jatra falls on the month of Chaitra(March/April) that takes place at Tundikhel, the center point of the city. The kings of Kathamandu use to go to worship Bhadrakali temple in the olden days following the living Goddess Kumariand this have been modified into the parade of houses and finally the horse athletics and racing contest held by the army in the presence of kin and the king waas considered only for the residents of Kathmandu. But at presence Ghode Jatra has popularly attracted people from all over Nepal.
Shree Ram Nawami:
Ram Nawami is the birthday of Lord Ram’s that is celebrated in the mid of Chaitra(March/April). Especially this festival is celebrated at Janaki Temple in Janakpur city lies in Southern Nepal. Lord Ram is regarded as another incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The strength, courage, purity of heart, compassion, speech of Lord Ram made favourite idol of his people with deep belief and extreme faith. The world was under the reign of an evil before the birth of Shree Ram. Thus, to save the world from evil, Lord Vishnu took birth as Ram in the city of Ayadhya.
Bagh Jatra:
Bagh Jatra is celebrated in early August, another cultural baggage of Pokhara brought by Newars from Kathmandu. Especially this festival has been celebrated in Pokhara about 150years. People dress up like hunters and make appearance by musical bands on first day and the next day interlude devoted to the showing of comic programs and the hunting parades through different parts of the town for the three days.
Bhairav Kumari Jatra:
Dolkha an Historic town in north eastern Nepal(133km from Nepal) where the festival Bhairav Kumari Jatra is especially celebrated. This festival falls on early August that is celebrated non stop for five days that consists of masked dances. This festivals is celebrated escorted by musical bands representing the deities Bhairav and Kumari and other Gods and Goddess through the Dolkha, visiting its many temples. Fasting and worship Bhairav and Kumari are undertaken by devotees on this occasion.
Chaite Dashain:
The original day of grand festival Dashain is Chaite Dashain that takes place exactly six months later now. this festival was shifted to the cooler season because people got their stomach upset after feashing on spicy food during the warm month of Chaitra. But the religious ferver still celebrates this festival on the month of Chaitra.
Gaura Parva:
Gaura Parva is celebrated in far western Nepal for two days long which is another celebration of honoring Lord Krishna’s Birthday. This is occasion for married women to put on the sacred thread. The deuda dance is the a majorpart of the festivals which participants hold hands and forms a circle.
Gunla:
The festival commemorates the auspicious “rain retreat” when the Budha over 2,500years ago, led his eyes close disciple into solitary meditation and preached to them the essence of his principles. It is a sacred month dedicated to Lord Budha. Monks and nuns go into retreat during rainy season. Gunla is sacred month of prayer and fasting from the new month of Bhadra. They visit Swoyambhunath and people can be seen making their way to Swoyambhunath everyday early at the misty morningaccompanied by musical bands carrying small clay figures of Budha and Stupas.
Guru Purnima:
Guru Purnima is the day of teachers that comes second after the gods. In this day students pay homage to their teachers and receives blessing in return. Guru Purnima falls on the full moon day of the month June/July. At the place Vyas on the Kathmandu-Pokhara Highway, the Guru Purnima is especially performed to Maharishi Vyas, who wrote the great epic Mahabharat. Dillu Punhi is the sacred day for Buddhists where religious functions are held at monasteries and temples to commemorate the event.
Lhosar:
The Tibetan New year is called Lhosar falls on February/March especially and impressively observed by Tibetan populations.This festival is celebrated by organizing folk songs and dances on this occasion which can be seen in Khumbu, Helambu, Boudhanath in KTM and other northern regions of Nepal.
Rato Macchendranath Jatra:
Rato Machhendranath Jatra is the longets and important festival of Patan that begins with several days of ceremonies and the fabrication of a wooden wheeld chariot at Pulchowk near Ashoka Stupa. This Jatra begins from the shrine of Rato(Red) Machhendranath(the Tantric expression of Lokeshwor) and carries very tall spire and is towed through the streets of Patan by throngs of devotees everyday. This goes on for month until it comes to rest on big field. Itends with the Bhote Jatra the major festival where the jewelled “Bhoto” of Machhendranath id displayed to th public.
Mani Rimdu:
Mani Rimdu is the biggest event of the sherpas of the Khumbu region which congregrate at Thyanboche Gompa, the picturesque monastery situated on a spur at 3,870m from where both Mt.Everest and Amadablam can be seen. Mani Rimdu means the full moon of the 9th Tibetan months which is celebrated for 3days but follow the ten days of non stop prayers sessions blessing from the god of all mankind. Guru Rinpoche is the founder of Tibetan Buddhism. The blessed is given with holy water and auspicious pellets for good luck and longevity. Monks performs a dance symbolizing the destruction of evil with colorful robes and huge glowering masks and on the last day, tormas are consigned to a sacred fire that implies the end of negative forces and advent of a blessed new year.
Mata Yaa:
Mata Yaa is one of the popular festivals of Patan celebrated in mid August which consists of a long day procession of devotees around the Buddhist courtyards of the town and offering worship at the shrines. Mata yaa is celebrated by carrying lighted toper and joss sticks in their hands rush in meaning file and visits hundreds of Buddhist sites. Some devotees wear elaborate and amusing costumes and musicians also takes part in the parade.
Neel Barahi Pyokhan:
Neel Barahi Pyokhan is sacred masked dances shown for over four days which is celebrated by performing dance and music is provided by a 27piece traditional orchestra. The ceremony invokes peace and harmony dedicated to the deity Neel Barahi whose temple is located in a jungle outside Bode that adjoins Thimi(8km east of Kathmandu).
Rath Yatra:
Rath Yatra is celebrated in Biratnagar which brings out a spectacular chariot procession to mark Lord Krishna’s Birthday(August/September). The six meter tall chariot carries the images of Krishna and his consort Radha where as the parade sets out from the Radha Krishna temple and goes around the town.
Sita Vivaha Panchami:
Commemorating the marriage of Sita with Ram, particularly this festival is celebrated in Janakpur. Ram the incarnation of Vishnu had come to Janakpur that is the kingdom of Sita’s father King Janak to marry with Sita. Hindu wedding ceremony is enacted every year where the idols of Ram and Sita are brought out in bright processions. This occasion attracts thousands of pilgrims from India that takes place during an exciting week long Mela, or religious fate.
Tami Dhee:
Tamu Dhee is a gurung holiday where these ceremonies are performed to purge the neighborhoods of evil spirits and to safeguard one’s farm and farm animals from hostile elements. Especially this festival can be observed in Pokhara. In this ceremony groups of people form different kinds of colorful procession and make house to house visits where participants with their faces smeared with soot and wearing feather headdresses parade through the town to drive away negative influences and ensure peace and security.
Tansen Jatra:
Tansen Jatra exults week long festive spree beginning with Janai Purnima where it is celebrated in the hilltop towm of Tansen in central Nepal. Gai Jatra is the next day marked by parading figures of cows made of bamboo and cloth. The participants perform plowing and planting on the streets in Ropai Jatra(the rice planting ceremony). Dressing up like tigers and hunters march through town during Bagh Jatra. Images of Ganesh, Bhimsen and Narayan are placed on palanquins and carried around Tansen.
Taya Macha:
Taya Macha is a dance which is shown in different parts of Pokhara as part of Gai Jatra observances. In this dance, 5dancers four dressed up as angels and one as clown are accompanied by a group of traditional musicians and this is believed that the performance will bring peace to the souls of those who have passed away during the previous year. This festival has its roots in the Kathmandu valley and was brought to pokhara by Newars.
Yamari Punhi:
The popular Nera festivals Yomari Punhi is observed every year during the full moon where the yomari is a confection od rice flour dough shaped in figure filled with brown cane sugar and sesame seeds then steamed. Yomari is the chief item during the celebrations of Yomari Punhi. On this festival the goddess of grains Annapurna is worshipped for the harvest of rice. People prepares yamaris in the form of gods and goddess like Kumar, Ganesh, Laxmi and Kuber. On this day parents bless children from two to twelve years who are then offered yomaris and on the other handchildren perform song and dance and go to neighborhood to beg yomari from housewives in the evening. |
