Festivals of Nepal - Naag Panchami

Naag Panchami

This festival falls in the month of August. This festival is all about honouring the divine serpents.

In Hinduism, the Naag (divine serpent) is glorified as the giver of rain. The Naag is adored to secure a good harvest and Naag Panchami, the fifth day of the bright lunar fortnight, is set aside for worshipping the serpents. Devotees on this day, paste pictures of the Naag over their doorways with cow-dung. As part of the rituals to propitiate the divine serpents, milk - their favourite drink - is offered to the pictures.

Devotees also throng to Taudaha (meaning big pond), a pond six km to the south of Kathmandu. There they worship Karkotak Naag, the serpent-king. Karkotak moved to his dwelling after Lord Manjushree drained the Kathmandu Valley, which used to be a lake in ages past, by slashing a passage through the hills. Pilgrims also visit the Newar township of Dhapakhel in Lalitpur. There, at Naagdaha (meaning serpent pond), they pay homage to the serpent- gods.

Nowadays, there is a fete in Naag Pokhari in Naxal. The pond is surrounded with different shops from food till toys. The statue of Naag is properly cleaned and painted before worshipping. Many people visit the place.

Festivals of Nepal - Gathan - Muga

GATHAN MUGA (GATHE MANGAL)

"Gathan Muga" signals the end of the rice-planting season and the beginning of the autumn festival season. This festival falls in the month of August. The festival itself (known variously as Gathe mangal, Ghantakarna) represents a ritual detoxification of the city. Evil spirits that might have sneaked in during the rice-planting season on the persons of the farmers or their tools are banished outside the urban limits to preserve the city's harmony.

In the morning of this day, effigies of the Gathan muga demon are erected at street intersections. Girls tie dolls to the effigy and people wear iron rings on their fingers to ward off evil spirits. A man wearing war-paint all over his body goes about begging for money. At the end of the day, the effigy is taken down. The painted man is made to sit on it and the neighbourhood kids drag it away to the river bank. Householders then place pots of cooked rice at the crossroads as food for the evil spirits. Iron nails are also hammered into the door lintels to keep them out ( the spooks are terrified of iron).

Festivals of Nepal - Pachali Bhairav Jatra

Pachali Bhairav Jatra

This festival is dedicated to Pachali Bhairav, a fierce manifestation of Shiva. On the night before the main day, a "Kalash" or a holy water vessel bearing the mask of Bhairav is carried to his shrine near the Bagmati river at Teku, in the south of Kathmandu. Throughout the next day, he is worshipped with prayers, rituals and offerings of meat and rice-beer. Late in the night, an image of his son Ganesh is brought here - carried by a priest and accompanied by a musical procession. Bhairav's consort, Ajima represented by a human draped all in white and seemingly under a trance, also arrives to greet Pachali Bhairav. The "Kalash" is then removed from the shrine and borne on the shoulders of devotees to Durbar Square, where goats and buffaloes  are sacrificed to the performers dressed up as Bhairav, Kumari and other deities. Different dances of Bhairav are also shown.

This festival usually falls in the month of October.

Festivals of Nepal - Chhatha

Chhatha

Chhatha is a day exclusively set aside for the Sun. Households usually commence the day by the rising of the Sun. This festival falls in the month of September. This rising sun is always celebrated at the beginning so that whatever good work we are going to do becomes a huge success, whether it is a marriage ceremony or office inauguration, etc.

On the day of Chhatha festival, the ceremony is extra special.  Chhatha is mainly an outdoor affair. Mostly women visit the holy river or ponds and worship the rising sun and the setting sun. They also go for fasting. Chhatha is mainly celebrated by Terai people. Early in the morning, women with trays containing sugarcane and coconuts visit the rivers. They pray for the long life of their husbands and also for the fortune and prosperity of the family.

Nowadays, Chhatha is also widely celebrated in Kathmandu valley. Many people also visit Janakpur and other Terai regions to watch the Chhatha festival celebration. Chhatha is also widely celebrated festival of Nepal.

Festivals of Nepal - Tihar

TIHAR

Tihar is the time of light and tinsel decorations, fancy sweets and juicy fruits. This festival usually falls in the month of October. The celebrations begin with adoration of crows and dogs. During these days crows and dogs are offered goodies. On the day of Laxmi Puja, Goddess Laxmi, the Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity is worshipped. Rows of clay lamps or clays are placed on windows and doors, with the strong hope that Laxmi pleases to reside in light. The following day belongs to the cow, representative of Laxmi. On this day, the Newars celebrate their New Year. Cultural processions and other celebrations are also organized to mark this occasion. On this day, Mha puja, the worship of one's body is one for good fortune throughout the coming year. The final event is the Day of Brothers. Sisters on this day honour their brothers and pray to Yama, the God of Death, for their brothers' progress, prosperity and longevity.

As already said, Tihar is the festival of lights. The whole Nepal is lighted. All the houses and shops are very well decorated with beautiful flowers and expensive lights.

Festivals of Nepal

Nepal is a landlocked country. It is sandwiched between two bold countries, India and China. Though a small country, Nepal is rich in natural resources and of course, festivals.

1. DASHAIN

Durga Puja, popularly known as Dashain, is the greatest festivals of Hindus. This festival usually falls between the months September and October. Besides, it is a long and and lavishly celebrated festival which lasts for a full fortnight. Goddess Durga, symbolizing valor and prowess, is worshipped and offered animal sacrifices to ensure the devotees' progress and prosperity.

For the first 10 days, pilgrims throng various river confluences early in the morning and sacred shrines in the evening. On the eighth day, known as Astami, people go to different temples to worship Gods and Goddesses. On the ninth day - Nawami, people sacrifice animals to their vehicles. Some sacrifice animals in different temples as well. Some who do not like sacrificing animals, sacrifice eggs in their vehicles.

On the 10th day, men and women in their fineries visit their elders to seek tika ( a dab of red vermilion powder mixed with curd and rice) from them. Sword processions ( paya) are also held in various parts of Kathmandu Valley. Many children as well as elders fly kites and play cards and "ma-jhong". The last day of Dashain is Kojagrat Purnima which falls on the full moon day.

Wearing new clothes, having grand feasts and flying kites are the main highlights of Dashain. It is the biggest festival of Nepal. Not only people in Nepal but Nepalese staying abroad also celebrate this festival merrily.