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Tihar Festival- Celebration of lights and spreading energy and bliss

Posted on October 24, 2019 by nsadmin

About Tihar Festival

The festival of Tihar heralds winter, vibrantly lighting up the horizon of towns and villages of Nepal. Tihar, the most anticipated festival for Nepalese is approaching which falls after two weeks of Dashain. It is mostly evoked as a festival of lights and color where diyos are lit both inside and outside the houses to make it brighten at night to welcome Goddess Lakshmi, who gives blessings of wealth and prosperity. In the meantime, one can feel the aroma of Sayapatri and the purplish radiance of Makhamali all around the streets and homes.

Generally, Tihar occurs between mid-October and early November. This year Tihar date falls on October 26-29, 2019. If you’re planning to visit Nepal to do one of the amazing treks with family, solo or school groups then you will get an opportunity to experience this unique celebration and create some incredible memories. Besides, one can witness the lively atmosphere, vibes of happiness, and the feeling of harmony. With colorful lights embellishing the entire city, this blissful occasion is also when the travelers can actually revel in the religious performs presented in quite an extravagant manner.

Deepawali is another name of Tihar. Literally, Deepawali means rows of Diyos (clay lamps). The word “Deepawali” comprises of two words; “Deep” means “light” and the word “avail” means “a row”. Therefore, “Deepawali” means “a row of lights”.

This five days festival celebrated in honor of Yama–the god of death and Lakshmi–the goddess of wealth and power with great zeal, grandeur, brightness, and happiness. The festival considered to be of great significance as it shows admiration to not just humans and the deities, but also to the animals like crows, cows, and dogs who maintain a deep relationship with humans.

As the festival is all about rituals, a variety of delicacies, firecrackers, colors of blessings and flowers like marigold (Sayapatri) and globe amaranth (Makhamali). Everything that creates from nature is thought to have some implications for human life.

Day 1: Kaag Tihar- mediator between the human realm and the realm of souls

The five-day celebration of Tihar begins with the worship of crow. Crow is appreciated for being a messenger who fetches news when it crows and also regarded to be the mount of Yamaraj or the god of death. Crow is a bird with a high sense of identifying human souls. According to Hindu mythology, the cawing of the crows signifies bad luck, sadness, and grief. So, worshiping them is deemed to bring good fortune.

Another reason for worshiping crow is it feeds on the insects that invade and destroy the harvests. When crows fly around growing crops, it is reflected a good indicator, and a healthy crops is predicted.

Therefore, on this day, people offer home prepared delicacies placed on the roofs of houses in the morning to please the crow to protect the crops and to avoid death.

Day 2: Kukur Tihar or Khicha Puja: Symbolize special relationship between dogs and humans

The second day of Tihar also called the Khicha Puja (worship of dogs) by the Newars dedicated to dog and represent the special bond between humans and dogs

The dog is a faithful and favorite companion of humans and, much cherished for their loyalty. Humans have an exceptional connection and affection with dogs since they are intelligent beings, who have the skill to empathizes with their caretakers and respond according to their feelings.

In Hindu Mythology, dogs considered as Yamaraj’s doorkeeper of Naraka, (Hell) that ensures the soul’s journey to judgment. So this day also celebrated as Naraka Chaturdashi. Likewise, Dog is regarded as a vehicle of Bhairava, a fierce manifestation of Lord Shiva.

On this day, dogs garlanded with marigold flowers, vermilion on their heads and make special offerings to them. The best part about this day is that, those who don’t own a dog pay homage to homeless dogs and treated with special food. In addition, the dog involves in public services, such as police dogs, are held in high honor and show adoration for their diligence.

In 2016, Mexico started to celebrate Kukur Tihar as they were motivated by the Nepali festival to raise awareness there about the reverence humans owe to all animals. Since then, the festival has increased popularity, and dogs have been chosen for a special honor.

Day 3: Gai Tihar and Laxmi Puja- Honor to cow and divinity of wealth and prosperity

Cows, revered as earthly manifestation, are bathed, blessed and the sacred thread of protection knotted to the tail. There is the practice of tying the holy thread that is tied around one’s wrist on the day of the Janai Purnima festival on the tail of the cow while carrying out Gai Puja. It is said that doing so the cow would facilitate the person’s soul cross the Baitarani River, a mythical river, to paradise, after the person’s demise.

People worship cows in this day as cows have benefited humans in several ways by giving dairy products, and dung as a source of fuel and fertilizer. Henceforth cows became a symbol of ‘caretakers’, or a maternal figure. On this day, devotees pay respect to cows by feeding her with the best grass and put flower garlands around the neck.

In the afternoon, people clean up their homes and coat walls and floors with a mixture of red mud and cow dung. There is a practice of making footprints of Laxmi from the main entrance to the worship room. There is a belief that the footsteps bring wealth, good health and prosperity to the family.

They drew a mandala with colorful pigment powders, decorate with flower petals in front of the house and light candles inside small, lively work of art. The mandala signifies a sacred area, welcoming the divine into houses and businesses.

The ritual for the goddess performed on the eve of the moonless sky leaving the doors open for the deity and wealth to glide in. As dusk started, oil lamps and decorative lights are illuminated and fill the gloomy night as constellations in the sky.

The echoes of special carols called bhailo are another fascinating feature in the eve of Laxmi Puja day. A groups of girls go door to door and perform Bhailo songs and dances asking the gods to sanctify the family with prosperity and sound health. There is a belief that Vaili blessings bring bliss and fortune to the family. In return, the host families offer money and homemade treats.

There is a custom of offering auspicious vegan food to Goddess Laxmi on this day. The main highlight food of this festival is sel roti, prepared in almost all houses especially in Tihar. Apart from this, people of every household prepare other varieties of popular confectioneries and delicacies.

Likewise, people purchase gold and silver, new utensils on the day of Laxmi puja as a sign of good fortune and prosperity. People engaged in the financial sector and businesses hold Laxmi puja as extra significance. They celebrate this occasion with more gusto as this specific worshiping of the Goddess associated with money. Therefore, people adorned shops and other business organizations with flowers, oil lamps, and candles and even LED lights.

Another entertaining way of enchanting Tihar vibes is witnessing sparks of vibrant firecrackers up in the sky that leaves you fascinated.

Day 4: Govardhan Puja, Nepal Sambat and Mha Puja- Praying for good harvest and worship of self

The numerous communities celebrate the fourth day of Tihar in their own way. Farmers reverence their implements and their bull since they till lands and help in harvesting to sustain life. Most people carry out Gobardhan puja by making hillock of cow dung. The cow dung hillock represents the mountains, and farmers pray for rain, productive fields, and plentiful harvest.

Govardhan Puja is the instance of winning over the intellect. The rituals are related to the Hindu Lord Sri Krishna who, according to the myth, raised Govardhan Mountain (problem) on his one finger (one point determination) to protect the people of a place called Gokul from heavy rains made by Indra, the God of rain.

This day symbolizes the advent of the New Year for the Newar community, traditionally known as Nepal Sambat. It is believed Shankhadhar Sakhwa, a local merchant from Kathmandu paid off the debts of people on his own during the rule of Lichchhavi King Raghadev in 880 AD. The government declared Shankhadhar Sakhwa who propounded the Nepal Sambat calendar and made notable contribution to society and the nation as national luminary in November 18,1999.

Newar community on the night conduct Mha puja (worship of self). The worship of the soul is a uniqueness of the community. Mha Puja is centered on the religious belief that the soul or self is the most significant in the world and that if the soul is happy, the gods are also satisfied and one’s life becomes meaningful and successful. Read more to learn more about Mha Puja.

As dusk falls, a group of males gathers and visit houses with musical instruments singing and dancing called Deusi. As stated in the chorus of the songs, deusi-bhailo has started a part of admiration to the Treta Yuga King Bali. According to Hindu legend, King Bali was very kind that all who went to visit him give back with all wishes fulfilled. He deceived into giving up his kingdom through the conspiracy of Devas and their chief plotter, the Lord Bishnu. It stated that during Tihar, Bali gets his kingdom back for five days and that is what the deusi and bhailo song started.

Day 5: Bhai Tika: Warm bonding between brothers and sisters

Bhai Tika marked the relationship of Yama with his sister which has exceptional importance in fostering deeper affection and respect. The myth behind the tradition states that one-day Yamraj, the god of death visited her sister, the Yamuna. She offered delicious dishes, the garland of makhamali and sayapatri flowers and blessed tika on his forehead. They relished eating foods and sweets, chatting and sharing their moments. Being so much delighted, Yamraaj gifted the Yamuna a blessing that any brother who receives the tika and garland of flowers from sisters will be surpassing death for that day.

To initiate the ceremony, the sister draws three mandaps at a selected place for Lord Ganesh, Janmaraj (the God of Birth), and Yamaraj. The worship follows a traditional procedural in which sister encircle brothers, with sacred water and mustard oil as a boundary over which death and evil spirits cannot come in. Then after, they apply oil to their brother’s hair, following which a seven-color tika applied on the brother’s forehead.

Along with the tika, the sisters offered their brothers with the garlands of flowers along with sweets and fruits. Then sisters break the walnut with the stone by placing it in the middle area of the house entrance. And pray the god to avoid every problem that may fall on their brothers in forthcoming days. In return, the brothers bring special gifts to the sisters and each other prays for the success and wellbeing.

Bhai Tika in Newari Community

Newari communities called Bhai Tika as Kija Puja. People draw mandala in the designated place for god and brother. Then, long-burning wicks placed next to the mandala, along with sacred threads, masala- (a mixture of nuts) and fruits.

The sisters then offer Sagun to their brothers which comprises of auspicious food varieties. The five items wine, meat, fish, lentil cake and egg indicate the five tantric concepts of light, earth, water, air, and sky respectively.

After concluding the ceremony, sisters treat their brothers with lavish meals. As per family tradition, the ceremony performed either at sister’s home or at the brother’s home. On this day, those who do not have brothers and sisters visit Rani Pokhari to worship Lord Shiva. The temple opens to the public only on the occasion of Bhai Tika. The joyous day comes to an end with feelings of love and rejuvenation of the sibling’s connection.

FAQ

When is the best festive season in Nepal?

The festival and carnival take place all year round. The major festival Dashain and Tihar falls during October and November and these months are the ideal month for trekking.

What is the festival of the mountain region?

Nepal is famous for its mountains as well as vibrant festivals. The Nepalese festival calendar sees over fifty festivals observed across the country annually. Nepal celebrates several festivals depending on religious, ethnicity and castes. Not only has our ethnicity decided the festivals we celebrate, but the region where we belong too. i.e. Tiji festival, Mani Rimdu Festival

What is the popular festival in Nepal?

Festivals are a perfect way for travelers to experience the local culture first-hand. Apart from Dashain and Tihar, there are several festivals that trekkers can participate in. Want to know more about numerous interesting festivals celebrated in Nepal? Read more

Can I participate with locals to celebrate Tihar?

Nepal Sanctuary Treks integrate the festival events in the Itinerary. We organize a trek or tour in Nepal with a celebration of the festival. If you are planning to venture trek or any other tours in Nepal with family, individual or school groups.

Do you need to get a visa to travel to Nepal?

All nationals must hold a valid passport. Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your expected date of departure from Nepal. An entry visa required for all except Indian nationality. You need to arrange these prior to departure with the relevant embassy/consulate or you even get a visa on arrival. Learn more: Visa and Documents requirement

Can I apply for the visa online?

You can get visa online – filling the form and following the step by step procedure at http://online.nepalimmigration.gov.np/tourist-visa

TIHAR: The Festival of Lights and Flowers

Posted on November 2, 2018February 10, 2023 by nsadmin

Tihar; also known as Deepawali or Yama Panchak is a main part of Nepalese culture that signifies happiness, luck, and harmony among all the people and is considered the second-biggest festivals in Nepal after Dashain. This festival is celebrated countrywide by Nepalese people, irrespective of their caste and creed. Amid this celebration people respect and worship crows, dogs, cows, Laxmi; the goddess of wealth and luck, brother, Gobardhan, and reverence of one’s body or self (also known as Mha Puja).

Tihar is also known as the “Festival of Lights and Flowers”, as the entire nation is decorated with vibrant flowers and used immensely to adorn houses and offices. Additionally, the colourful flowers that blossom in every house’s garden embellish the entire surroundings. People also lit candles, electric lights, and oil lamps inside and outside houses throughout the festivals to make it illuminate at night and welcome Goddess Laxmi.

When is Tihar celebrated?

Tihar generally falls in either October or November (Kartik Nepali month). However, the date of observing the festival depends upon the cycle of the moon. Tihar is a five-day-long festival that starts with Kaag Tihar (the worshipping of the crow) in Trayodashi of Kartik Krishna Paksha and ends with Bhai Tika in Dwitiya of Kartik Sukla Paksha. According to the western calendar, the festival occurs in October or November. This year, the festival occurs from 5^th– 9^thNovember 2018. Likewise, the festival will be celebrated from 25^th – 29^th October 2019.

Legends behind Tihar Festival

Many stories prevail about the celebration of the festival. One of the popular stories is associated with Yama; the “God of death” and his sister Yamuna. According to the myth, Yama used to be very busy with his work that he stayed away from his sister for a long time. Yamuna desired to meet her brother Yama Raj, so she took the help of various animals like a crow, dog, and cow as a messenger to call her brother to meet her. But Yama didn’t come to see his sister Yamuna. Finally, she herself went to visit her brother. After meeting him, Yamuna worshipped Yama with five coloured tika and offered him with garland of Globe Amaranth flower (Makhamali in Nepali) and a special gift prepared by her. Yamuna made a circle with Dubo (Cynodon dactylon) dipped in mustard oil. Yamaraj being pleased by the love of his sister then announced that someone who receives tika from their sisters will not die on that day.

Another famous story suggests that there was once a girl named Yamuna whose brother was ill and prayed for his long and healthy life. One day, when the Yama visited to take her brother with him, she was performing a Puja for her brother. Yamuna convinced Yama to be a part of the Puja and performed the ceremony with both. Yama was pleased with her and asked her to wish for anything she wants. Yamuna then asked for a long and healthy life for her brother. Since then, Tihar is celebrated as a special occasion to pray for the long and prosperous life of the brothers.

Know More About the Colorful Festival of Nepal

The Five Days of Tihar Festival

Each day of the Tihar festival holds its own importance and significance behind the celebration. Here are the five days of the festival and the events occurring on the respective days:

Day 01: Kaag Tihar- Worshipping the Crow

The Hindus regard the crow as the messenger of the Yamaraj: the god of death, and thus worship it on the first day of the festival to bring good luck to their houses. The people worship the crow and offer them food, rice, and sweets in the morning. They also believe that the caw-caw sound of the crow is a sign of the sadness of the crow that brings bad luck. Thus, on this day, people please the crow by feeding them to prevent it from bad happening and wish to bring them good luck.

Day 02: Kukur Tihar- Worshipping the Dog

On the second day, people worship the most loyal animal to humankind: the dog. The day is a chance to express gratitude towards dogs for safeguarding our homes and lives. Generally, male dogs are worshipped and are put on with a red tika on their forehead and a beautiful garland around their neck. The people also treated delicious food to dogs. Almost every dog on the street is found with a tika and a garland. The dogs are also regarded as “the gatekeeper of death” and believed that they can predict the dangers in the future days. The dog is also the steed of the fearful Bhairab, the god of destruction.

Thus worshipping the dogs on this day helps to prevent the dangers in the year to come. The Nepalese policemen also offer beautiful garlands to the patrol dogs to express their contribution to national security.

Day 03: Gai (Cow) Tihar/ Laxmi Puja- Worshipping the Goddess of Wealth

People worship the cow on the morning of the third day. The cow is a holy animal in Hindu mythology and is considered as goddess Laxmi. The cow is of huge benefit to people in the past. Milk, dung, and urine are used for purification in various rituals. The cow is also considered a mother since we fed upon the milk since our childhood. Thus, on this day the cow is offered tika, garland, and delicious foods as an indication of thankfulness.

The following afternoon is all busy with cleaning and decorating the houses. The houses are painted with Red mud and cow dung. Colorful rangolis are made of various designs on the main gateway of the house and lit a candle or a Diyo at the center. Small footprints are made from the mixture of flour and colour that are painted from the rangolis in the Puja room. These footprints are believed to guide the goddess Laxmi inside the house.

The evening is more special, for it particularly involves the worshipping of the Goddess of wealth: Goddess Laxmi. Along with the Goddess, the people also worship money and other various properties. The people request the Goddess to come into their house and bless them with wealth and prosperity in life. While the elder people are busy worshipping the Goddess in the evening, the children visit their neighbors singing Deusi and Bhailo songs.

Day 04: Govardhan Puja and Mha Puja

The fourth day celebrates three different kinds of Puja. The first one is Goru Puja, which is the worship of Oxen. Likewise, Govardhan Puja is performed by making a hill of Govardhan Parbat by using cow dung.

At night, especially the Newar community performs Mha Puja. The Mha Puja is the ritual of celebrating own existence and understanding own value. The members of the family sit in a row and make a mandap for each of them which is decorated with flowers, sweets, garland, and lights. The female member of the family offers the other members of the family Sagun which consists of fried eggs, sweets, lentils, and local wine made from rice.

Day 05: Bhai Tika

The last day of the Tihar is Bhai Tika and is the most auspicious day of the festival. Bhai Tika is a reflection of the love and the bond between brothers and sisters. The tika is believed to strengthen their love and make the bond stronger.

On this day, brothers and sisters come together to celebrate their love and bonding. Sisters apply seven different colors on the forehead of brothers, draped with garlands made from Sayapatri (Marigold) and Makhamali flowers around their neck, and serve them with various sweets and dishes. They encircle their brothers with mustard oil so that Yama; the god of death cannot reach them, and thus they will live a long life. The sisters pray for the long and prosperous life of their brothers. The brothers also put the Tika on their sister’s forehead, bow their heads and make a promise to protect her till the end of life, and surprise their sisters with special gifts and money.

Traditions during the Tihar Festival

The festival of Tihar is a matter of great fun for the Nepalese people. There are various traditions that are associated with the celebration of the festival, which includes:

Lights

Lights are the most important part of the festival. Along with cleanliness, each house is beautifully decorated with various coloured electric lights. The hand-woven oil lights (Diyo) and candles are lit and put on the entry points, and the windows of the houses. As dusk approaches, the entire country seems to be floating on the ocean of lights.

Deusi Bhailo programs

During this festival, young people and children gather in groups and visit door to door singing melodious songs like Deusi and Bhailo. They sing and dance to different cultural and modern songs. The groups are offered various items like fruits, sweets, Rotis, money, and flowers. The Deusi Bhailo groups in return give a blessing to the house that the goddess Laxmi will reside in the house and pray for the prosperity of the householder.

Interested In the Various Traditions of Tihar Festival?

Homemade dishes

Tihar is also famous for the number of dishes prepared during the occasion. Varieties of Rotis are prepared in almost every house which includes Sel Roti, Anarasha, Fini, Chini Roti, and many more. Particularly famous is the Sel Roti made by cooking a mixture of rice flour, ghee, sugar, milk, and many other ingredients. The mixture is poured into the hot oil by hand in a circular shape and cooked until it turns golden on both sides.

Firecrackers

The firecrackers are also a major part of Tihar celebration. The sounds of the firecrackers from near and far are heard. Everyone from a child to an adult seems to enjoy playing with the firecrackers.

Playing cards

Playing cards is one of the favourite parts of the festival. Families and friends gather around and enjoy playing cards. Gambling is banned in the country. However, people can have a quality and fun time with family by playing cards.

With ecstasy and full of delight, the most colourful and dazzling festival comes to an end after these five glorious days.

Festivals of Nepal: Celebrate Life in Colours of Festivals.

Posted on July 23, 2018 by nsadmin

Nepal is a land of ethnic and religious diversity, dominated by people of Hindu religion and followed by Buddhist religion. There are more than 55 festivals celebrated in a calendar year in Nepal. The vast number of festivals arises from the ethnic diversity present in Nepal. In a small area of 1, 47,181 sq. meter resides more than 125 ethnic groups, each with their different festivals. In spite of the diversity in ethnicity and festivals, all the communities live and celebrate each other’s festivals and rituals with joy, respect, and excitement.

It is certainly true that there are more festivals in Nepal than days in a calendar, but not all festivals receive nationwide attention. Some important festivals gain more attention and have greater religious and historical significance than others. The celebrations have also become a tourist attention grabber. Many tourists express their desire to come back and experience the festivals in the future. Some of the paramount festivals of Nepal celebrated and enjoyed by people of all ethnic groups are:

Holi (Festival of Colors)

Holi, traditionally called Fagupurnima is the festival of colors. The festival falls on the month of Falgun and Chaitra of Nepali calendar. Holi is one of the most lively and enjoyable festivals of Nepal practiced by people all over Nepal. People celebrate Holi to celebrate the death of “Holika.”, who tried to kill a devotee of Vishnu, Prahlada. A Fire was lighted to both Holika and Prahlada, but only Holika burnt to death. Maybe this is the reason why we splash water in Holi.

Colors are another feature of Holi. Holi signifies the end of winter and start of spring, giving birth to colorful flower blooms and warmer climate. This also may be the reason we celebrate happiness with various colors in Holi.

Tourists visit widely to Nepal to enjoy this lively, joyful festival. Random strangers on the street become friends and celebrate by putting colors on the faces of each other. Undoubtedly, Holi is the most joyous and enjoyed festivals of Nepal.

Lhosar

Lhosar, also referred to as Losar is another widely celebrated festivals of Nepal. The Buddhist community is from where Lhosar originated. Lhosar is a new year’s festival celebrated on the first day of Lunisolar Tibetan Calendar. Different communities celebrate Lhosar in different dates. There are three different Lhosar celebrated in Nepal, Tamu Lhosar, Gyalbo Lhosar and Sonam Lhosar. Gurung community celebrates Talu Lhosar, Tamang and Yolmu communities celebrate Sonam Lhosar, and Sherpa and Tibetan community celebrates Gyalbo Lhosar.

Lhosar is a festival of dancing in traditional dresses, eating foods and family gatherings. People also pray in monasteries, clean houses and surroundings and decorate homes and monasteries. They clean the surrounding to make a clean path for the gods to visit their home.

Dashain

Almost all Hindus in Nepal celebrate Dashain. More than 80% of Hindu people celebrate Dashain, the tika festival in Nepal. Dashain is considered as one of the major festivals of Nepal. It is a fifteen-day long festival. The first day, Ghatasthapana marks the start of Dashain. In Dashain, people worship different deities for 8 consecutive days, the 8 Tantrik Goddesses and nine incarnated forms of Goddess Durga. The tenth day, Vijaya Dashami is the most important day of the festival. People receive red tika and Jamara from elders and ask for blessings.

People travel all over the country to receive tika and blessings from their relatives and elders. The last day of the festival is in the full moon and called Kojagrata Purnima. People also enjoy huge swings made of bamboo (Linge Ping), play cards with family and cousins, and buy new clothes and equipment.

Tihar

Tihar is the festival of Lights. It is a five-day festival that comes after the end of Dashain. Tihar focuses on worshipping the animals ridden by gods and goddesses. People worship animals like dogs, crow, and cow in Tihar. Laxmi Puja is a significant day of Tihar. People light the houses in handmade Diyos and light up electrical lights over the entire house. Laxmi is the goddess of wealth, and people keep the house and surroundings clean and pave a path with lights to guide the goddess inside peoples home.

Tihar is also a festival of sweet dishes. Many dishes like Selroti, Anarsha, Fiini, and Thekua are made and offered to the animals, goddess, and people. The sight of streets gleaming with different colored lights covers the entire country. Close friends form a group and sing Dheuso Bhailo from house to house and ask and give blessings for prosperity and good fortune.

Mha Puja

Mha puja falls on Newari New year which follows the Nepal Sambhat calendar. It translates to Me puja where people worship themselves. The Mha Puja is the most important festivals of Nepal specific to the Newar ethnic group. It falls on the fourth day of Tihar. People worship themselves and perform rituals to purify and empower ones’ soul and body. The family members sit in a row on the floor in front of a drawn mandala, a sand painting of a sacred circular diagram.

Buddha Jayanti

Buddha Jayanti is the most important day for all Buddhist followers. Buddha Jayanti marks the birthday of Gautam Buddha, the founder of Buddhism and the light of Asia. This a joyous day not just for Buddhist followers but for all the people of Nepal. People of different ethnic groups collaborate with monks and Buddhist followers and spread the teaching of Gautam Buddha on the day. Many Buddhist followers visit shrines like Lumbini, Swoyambhunath, and Boudhanath to pray and offer homage to their leader. The shrines of Gautam Buddha are lit with butter lamps as a sign of respect and admiration.

Monks, nun, and followers travel in parades on Buddha Jayanti chanting prayers of moral of life. Many people refrain from killing animals in Buddha Jayanti and eat vegetarian dishes on the day to respect the teachings of Gautam Buddha.

Teej

Teej is a Hindu festival celebrated by most of the Hindu women. Teej is a festival focused on women of Nepal. Married women fast on the day in hopes of longer life and prosperity of her husband. Young and unmarried girls fast in faith to find a kind and loving husband. Women wear red saris with ornaments and dance in music and celebrate the festival. They end the fast by eating delicious foods and visit relatives.

Indra Jatra

Jatras are festivals celebrated by people of the Newar community. Newar people of Kathmandu celebrate Indra Jatra(Yenya) to honor Lord Indra, God of rain. The festival is 8 days long and takes place in Kathmandu Durbar Square. Several chariots of Goddess Kumari, Ganesh, and Bhairav round the city along with mascots and traditional bands. People imitate different Bhairavs, Dashavtaar and Lakhey and dance around the chariot. People celebrate Indra Jatra in celebration of the release of God Indra, who was captured by locals. On the release of God Indra, his mother blessed the city with rain. So, god of rain, Lord Indra is worshipped and celebrated in Kathmandu.

Gai Jatra

Newars of Bhaktapur strongly follow Gai Jatra. The festival is one of a kind in Nepal. Gai Jatra is a humorous festival. The Jatra is nine days long and falls in the month of Bhadra. People make sarcastic jokes and comments, satire each other to make people laugh. Many magazines, Tv shows, and theatre play funny shows and plots to celebrate Gai Jatra. This Jatra takes place in the Bhaktapur Durbar Square.

Gai Jatra originated from the regime of Pratap Malla. The son of Pratap Malla died early, and his queen was grief-stricken. King Pratap arranged for an occasion to lessen the pain of his queen. The king ordered every family who has lost loved ones join in an event where people dress ridiculously as ghouls and comic appearance to make the grieved ones laugh and forget about their pain. People dress similar to cows, as cows are believed to lead the soul to the other world.

Rato Machchhindra Jatra

Rato Machchhindra Jatra is a prominent festival of Nepal seen followed in Patan area of Kathmandu Valley. People make a chariot from wood and bamboo from forests that have religious importance. Hindus and Buddhists follow Rato Machchhindra deity. An idol of Rato Machchhindra is put inside the chariot and pulled places of Lalitpur like Gabahal, Sundhara, and Lagankhel. The festival ends when a marvelous Bhoto is shown to the people from the chariot. The chariot is then dismantled, and the idol of Rato Machchhindra is placed in a temple at Bungamati village.

Above mentioned are some of the most celebrated and followed festivals of Nepal. There are several others festivals in Nepal that people follow in huge number. Some other important festivals of Nepal are Bisket Jatra, Chhath, Maha Shivratri, Saraswati Puja and many more. You can visit Nepal in any of the festivals and be a part of our culture, traditions, and celebrations.

For further information regarding festivals of Nepal, make sure to leave us a message on our contact page.

You can also glance upon out tour and travel packages and different destination to travel in Nepal in our blog.