Culture,Tradition and Festival of Nepal

 

Nava Barsha(Nepalese New Year)

The Nepalese  Nava Barsha(New Year) day usually falls on the second week of April,that is the first day of Baishak in the Nepali Calendar.The day is a national holiday and people celebrate it with great pomp.on this occasion, annual Bisket jatra is also held in the city of Bhaktapur.

Dashain

During the month of Ashoj and Kartik in Bikram Sambat calendar(late September and early October),the Nepalese people indulge in the biggest festival of the year,dashain.Dashain is the longest and the most auspicious festival in the Nepalese of all caste and creed throughout the country.The fifteen days of celebration occurs during the bright lunar fortnight ending on the day of the full moon.

Tihar

Tihar, the festival of lights is one of the most dazzling of all Hindu festivals.In this Festival we worship Goddess Laxmi,the Goddess of wealth.It falls on the month of Kartik(October/November) starting with kukur puja.

 

Gaijatra(Cow festival)

Gaijatra is held in the month July-August.It is a carnival type of festival lasting for seven days.Dancing,singing anything that causes laughter are its highlights.Those people whose family members have died during the year send out persons dressed up as a cow to parade the main thoroughfare of the city on the second day of the festival.

Krishnaastami

Krishnaastami falls in the month of July-August.People worship lord Krishna one of the incarnation of Lord Vishnu,an epic hero of the Mahabharat.On this day there is an impressive ceremony at Krishna Mandir temple of Patan City and Changu Narayan.Folk dances and songs are sang on this occasion.

Indra Jatra

Indra Jatra takes place in the month of August-September.This is the festival of Indra(God  of rain) and is observed in the Kathmandu city with great enthusiasm.The celebration of this festival lasts for 7 days.The chariot of kumari(the Living goddess)is taken out in the procession through the main streets of kathmandu city three times wihtin 7 days. The Kumari is placed on a decorated chariot which is pulled through the street by the devotees.The whole celebration is largely confined to the traditional market and residential areas of Kathmandu like Durbar Square of Hanuman Dhoka.

Buddha Jayanti

This day is celebrated to mark the birthday of the Lord Buddha who spread the peace all over the world.He was born about 543 BC and this festival is celebrated on May.

Maghe Sankranti

Maghe Sankarnti is the beginning of the holy month of Magh,usually the mid of January.Tharu caste celebrate this day as new year.It marks the coming of warmer and better days of health and fortune.

Shree Panchami

This festival falls in mid Magh(January-February).It is celebrated as the birthday of Saraswati,the Goddess of Learning.This day is also dedicated to the martyrs of Nepal and hence celebrated as Martyr's day.

Maha Shiv Ratri

This day is the celebration dedicated to the Lord Shivaa which falls on the month Falgun(February-March).

Shree Ram Nawami

Ram Nawami is celebrated in the mid of Chaitra(March-April) as Lord Ram's Birthday.It is celebrated with much pomp at Janaki temple in Janakpur,which lies in southern Nepal.