Festivals of Nepal - Maghe Sankranti

MAGHE SANKRANTI

This festival falls in the month of January. A Sankranti signifies the first day of any month in the Nepali calendar year. Makar means Capricorn. Makar Sankranti, therefore, means the first day of the month when the sun enters that part of the zodiac which is symbolized by Capricorn. It starts on its northward journey it its heavenly course on this day, thus announcing the commencement of the Uttarayan.

In the Nepalese belief, this day marks the division of the Winter and Summer solstice. Bathing in rivers is prescribed for this day, especially at the river confluence and feasting with rich food of special preparation is common in the family. 

Festivals of Nepal - Shri Panchami

Shri Panchami

This festival falls in the month of February. This festival is also known as Basanta Panchami. Shri Panchami announces the advent of the spring season in Nepal. On this day, a religious function known as Basanta Shrawan is held at the courtyard of Hanuman Dhoka Palace. On this occasion, Geet Govinda (verses written by Poet Jaya Dev) is recited by the priest and hymns are sung by a concert of musician in accompaniment with musical instruments. The president graces the function.

It is the day consecrated to honour Saraswati, the Hindu Goddess of Learning, throughout Nepal. Saraswati shrines all over the Kingdom are filled with the crowd of school children and other students on this day. Goddess Saraswati reigns over the realm of speech, letters, arts and sciences, and all her tools are worshipped accordingly, pens, ink, books, pencils and spinning wheels. Around the city are seen numerous processions. Saraswati temples at Swayambhu and Neel Saraswati at Gairidhara are worth visiting during the morning.

Some people fast during this day. On this day, any good deeds can be started or done as this day does not need any prosperous date for marriages or bratabandhs, etc.

Festivals of Nepal - Mahashivaratri

MAHASHIVARATRI

This festival usually falls in the month of February. This is the most famous and celebrated festival of Nepal which attracts large crowds from far-flung places both in India and Nepal.

 The festival as its very name suggests , is consecrated in honour of Lord Shiva. It is observed by bathing and holding of a religious fast. All Shiva shrines become the places of visit for "Darshan", but the greatest attraction of all is held by the temple of Pashupatinath in Kathmandu. One gets to see hundreds of thousand of devout Hindus coming to visit the temple of Pashupati on this day. Religious Hindus worship Lord Shiva by offering flowers , garlands,"belpatra" (leaves of 'bel' fruit), fruits, coins and so on and also by chanting prayers and hymns. Among them are a large number of Sadhus and ascetics.

Many people like to keep awake for the whole night keeping vigilance over an oil lamp burnt to please Shiva. Children are seen keeping awake similarly over a bonfire in many localities.

In the afternoon, an official function is held to celebrate this festival at Tundikhel. The Nepalese Army organises a show in which volleys of gunfire are sounded. The ceremony is witnessed either by the President or the Prime Minister.

On this day, people steal wood or any wooden furniture and burn them. People eat "haluwa" and "puri" on this day.  

Festivals of Nepal - Bahi-Dyo Bwoegu

BAHI-DYO BWOEGU

"Bahi-Dyo Bwoegu" literally means to display Gods and this is what is done at Buddhist monastery courtyards all over the Kathmandu Valley during the month of "Gunla".

Huge images of Buddha are brought out and put on public display with complete ornamentation. Ancient texts, scroll paintings and other sacred treasures preserved at these monasteries are also exhibited. Groups of devotees accompanied by their traditional musical bands go in procession from courtyard to courtyard to view the displays. The ceremony is one of the most important festivals in Newar Buddhism. The display at the courtyard of Thambahil(better known as Thamel) is especially fascinating. There is always a crowd of devotees who come to get a glimpse of the famous religious texts written in gold and silver ink kept here. 

Besides this festival is celebrated in public, once in twelve years. The statues of these Gods are very expensive.

Festivals of Nepal - Mat-ya

MAT-YA

This festival falls in the month of August.  Mat-ya is one of Patan's popular festivals. It consists of a day-long procession of devotees going around the Buddhist courtyards of the town and offering worship at the shrines there. Carrying lighted tapers and joss sticks in their hands, Mat-ya participants rush in a crowded line and visit the hundreds of Buddhist sites scattered all over Patan. They toss rice grains, flowers and coins at the shrines as they pass by. Some devotees wear elaborate and amusing costumes that are specially prepared for the festival. Traditional musical bands also take part in the procession.

Since rendering help to the participants earns religious merit for oneself even if one cannot join the procession, there are many people gathered at road intersections to offer assistance to the devotees. Some help in guiding the traffic and others stand ready with cold water and first aid. The people of Patan make it a point to participate in the Mat-ya procession at least once in their lifetime.

Festivals of Nepal - Gai Jatra

Gai Jatra

This festival falls in the month of August. Newars call this festival as "Saparu". This is the festival of cows. On "Saparu" or Gai Jatra, families who have lost a member during the past year parade a decorated cow around the city. Others dress up kids as cows or ascetics and walk in procession along the festival route. The sacred animal helps departed souls to cross the cosmic ocean in their journey into the after-world . The festival route passes by the Durbar Square, and it is a good place to observe the procession.

There is also a gay aspect to the festival. Humorous and satirical items are included to help bereaved families get over their grief. There are street shows making fun of government officials. People also roam the city dressed up like lunatics. Newspapers bring out special "mad" editions on the day.

In Kathmandu, the bereaved families proceed along the festival route individually. In Patan, all the participants first gather at the Durbar Square and then move out together. The celebration in Bhaktapur is the most interesting one. Tall bamboo contraptions, wrapped in cloth and topped with horns fashioned of straw, are carried around the city in memory of the dead. "Saparu" is also celebrated in other towns of the Kingdom where there are large Newar communities.

Now, there are many volunteers helping out during this festival. There are many organizations providing with the juice or water to the tired people moving around.

This day was brought by Late King Pratap Malla. His wife was very sad at the demise of his son and could not get out of it. So Pratap Malla started this festival by saying that not only their son died, but there are many people whose relatives have died.

Festivals of Nepal - Janai Purnima

JANAI PURNIMA

This festival falls in the month of August. This festival is of the sacred thread. 

Janai Purnima is the day when Hindus change "the Janai", the sacred thread they wear on their persons. This full moon day sees flocks of Brahmins, the Hindu priests, at the holy river banks. They take ritual dips in the water and offer ablution to the Gods. They then change their sacred threads and also tie yellow sacred threads around the wrists of their clients.

 The native Newars of the Kathmandu Valley call this festival "Gunhi Punhi". "Kwanti" a soup of nine different sprouted beans, is prepared as the special menu of the day. Having this "Kwanti" in this season cleans our stomach. There is a saying that if we have "Kwati" on this day, we will not suffer from any stomach aches.Newars do not eat rice on this day. They have only the flour items.

At Kumbeshwor, in Patan, a richly decorated symbol of Lord Shiva, is placed on a raised platform in the middle of the Kumbheshwor (Kwonti) pond to receive homage from devotees. Another ceremony that takes place here is called "Byanja nakegu" in which rice is offered to frogs in gratitude for a good rain.

In Bhaktapur, as a prelude to Saparu (Gai Jatra), the next day, a "Jujuya Ghintang - gishi" ( King's Carnival) goes around town in the evening. The participants dress in outlandish costumes and dance to the tune of traditional music.