Boisterous Festivals of Spring
With the waning of winter, arrives many enjoyable festivals. one will witness people of all ages and walks of life throwing color at each other, and friends and acquaintances, sometimes even strangers, exuberantly rubbing color powder on one another’s face. Many young men are likely to be high on the day from drinking ‘bhang’ and eating ‘bhang-ko-laddu’ (drink and sweet containing marijuana). Much ahead of the festival, government authorities put out notices through various media warning that unruly behavior will not be condoned on the day of Holi. Security will be high, since brawls often break out between groups of intoxicated revelers.
Till recently (not so much now), you could deduce that Holi was around the corner due to kids throwing small water-filled balloons (lolas) at passersby, particularly young girls, almost a week before the festival day. ‘Anything goes,’ seems to be the watchword of Holi, and in fact, the favorite cry on the day is in Hindi, “Bura na mano, Holi hai!” especially in the Terai, where Holi is celebrated one day after the one in the hills. The phrase means, “Don’t mind, it’s after all Holi!” In other words, it is a festival that permits you to let out steam, within limits, of course.
The story of a female demon “Holika”
Here is the story behind the festival of colors: It is to celebrate the death of a female demon named Holika, who had been ordered by her brother Hiranyakashyapu to kill his son Prahalad. Hiranyakashyapu, through severe meditation, had won the gods’ blessings that he couldn’t be killed by anybody on earth, water, or sky, using whatsoever means, and thus he considered himself to be immortal, above all beings.
So, when he discovers his son worshipping Lord Vishnu, he gets enraged. He orders his sister Holika, who herself has won a blessing to be immune from fire, to grasp Prahalad and jump into an inferno. However, somehow or the other, it is Holika who gets immolated, while the boy remains unharmed. There’s another reason for Holi. It is to celebrate Lord Rama’s return to Ayodhaya after his epic victory over the 10-headed King Ravana of Ceylon, who had abducted his wife Sita, thus starting a war.
Raising ceremonial bamboo
The beginning of the festival, in Kathmandu, is marked by raising the Chir pole (a ceremonial bamboo pole having cloth strips of various colors) at Kathmandu Durbar Square. The story behind this is pretty interesting. Lord Krishna, in his heydays, had a flock of adoring women always around him. They were known as Gopinis (Krishna is also known as Gopi). One day, while the women are taking a bath in a river, he steals their clothes and hangs them on a tree. Well, the chirs (cloth strips) represent the Gopinis’ clothes. The naughty Krishna then declares that he won’t be returning the clothes until they remain submerged for some time, offering prayers to the Sun god.
Oil wicks on a cow dung base are kept lighted at the bottom of the Chir, and ceremonial threads tied around it. The setting up of the Chir heralds the start of the Holi festival. In the same way, its lowering announces the end of Holi. Once lowered, the waiting crowd rushes forward to grab the cloth strips, which are regarded as lucky charms. The Chir pole is then dragged to Tundikhel and burnt. Women throw coconut shells into the bonfire, and people collect the glowing coals and ash, which will be used for purifying their homes. In the Terai, Holi is celebrated as boisterously as in the hills, and in many areas, more so. People invite friends to their homes to enjoy special delicacies. All said and done, Holi is the most colorful festival of all festivals in Nepal, and a time when old grievances are forgotten and forgiven.
POPULAR ITINERARIES
Minimum 3 Nights Stay Kathmandu Sightseeing Package( 3 Nights/4 Days): Includes: Airport Pick Up & Drop Off, Daily Breakfast Buffet, All tours and transfers in an air conditioned coach
- Full day tour of Kathmandu City Swayambhunath Stupa and Patan City
- Approx 5-6 hours (split in two sessions)
- Morning: Walking tour of Kathmandu Durbar Square through (Ason) spice Market/vegetable markets
- Evening: Visit Patan Durbar Square
USD 80 PER CAR
DAY 01 (Kathmandu to Chitwan by road, approx 5 hrs)
DAY 02 (In Chitwan)
DAY 03 (Chitwan to Kathmandu by road, approx 5 hrs)
Chitwan: Exotic jungle elephant-safari, nature walks, bird watching, canoeing
USD 330 PER PERSON
Pokhara : Stunning views of Himalayas, Boat rides, Gupteswor Mahadev, David's Fall, Barahi Temple, Cycling around the lakeside. - DAY 01 : (Kathmandu to Pokhara by road, approx 5 hrs/200km) - DAY 02 : (Spend time in Pokhara) - DAY 03 : (Pokhara to Kathmandu by road, approx 5 hrs/200km) / USD 295 PER PERSON View Youtube Video of Pokhara
DAY 01 (Drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara)
DAY 02 (In Pokhara)
DAY 03 (Pokhara to Chitwan by road)
DAY 04 (In Chitwan)
DAY 05 (Fly from Chitwan to Kathmandu)
Pokhara: Stunning views of Himalayas, Boat rides
Chitwan: Exotic jungle elephant-safari, nature walks, bird watching, canoeing
VIEW YOUTUBE VIDEO OF POKHARA
USD 705 PER PERSON
SIMILAR POSTS
According to legends, it is believed that the mother of Lord Intra required a Parijat( a white flower) to perform a ritual. For which Lord Indra descended to earth in search of the flower. He disguised himself as a commoner and while trying to take the flower out of the lawn of a Jyapu. He caught Lord Indra and held him captive blaming him of trying to steal. Lord Indra was imprisoned and not allowed to go back to heaven.
Amongst the great celebrations of this valley, nothing beats the pomp and flair of Yenya Punhi. Commonly known as Indra Jatra- a name derived from the lore of Indra- the heaven king's visit to Nepal. This festival is larger than life, with symbolism and meaning going back thousands of years- neatly preserved by the Newars.
Newari communities in Nepal celebrate numerous festivals every year. All these festivals are tied to its culture and heritage, events for ancient mythology, agricultural calendar, family, and communities.
Newari culture is very rich and ritual throughout the year and the Newari communities celebrate numerous festivals every year. All these festivals are tied to its culture and heritage, events for ancient mythology, agricultural calendar, family, and communities.
Svanti festival is known by several names: Tihar, Dipawali, Pancaka, and Yamanpanchaka. And most popularly known by its other name Tihar, is one of the national festivals of Nepal celebrated throughout the kingdom by Hindu and Buddhist populations.
The events of Mohani can be divided into two: Family & Communal and bears similarities with the celebration of Dashain. And, the general perception of individuals views the two festivities as the same, but Mohani is specific to the Newari communities. Mohani is centered around the family’s tutelary deity, whereas Dashain is the celebration of the victory of gods over evil.
Newari communities in Nepal celebrate numerous festivals every year. And it seems Newars always have a reason to celebrate. Several reasons: rich culture and heritage, honoring deities, marking the agricultural calendar, celebrate events from ancient mythology, and to emphasis family and community.
Newari communities in Nepal celebrate numerous festivals every year. And it seems Newars always have a reason to celebrate. Several reasons: rich culture and heritage, honoring deities, marking the agricultural calendar, celebrate events from ancient mythology, and to emphasis family and community.
Samyak Mahadan is a Buddhist alms-giving festival, also known as the festival of Dipankara Budhha is celebrated once every five years in Patan, Lalitpur. The festival has been important for Buddhist Newars, as it has become a way of practising daan dharma(alms-giving).
Bisket Jatra, also known as Biskah Jatra(festival) is a weeklong yearly occasion of Newari community in Bhaktapur. Among many other popular festivals in Kathmandu Valley, Biskah Jatra is celebrated with special rites and rituals in the historical and cultural city Bhaktapur.
Pahan meaning guests and Charhe meaning on the fourteenth day of the lunar fortnight, the avid tunes of the festival can be heard for three consecutive days in the old towns of the city of Kathmandu. This three-day festival brings together the community in a unique manner and has helped build communal strength and friendship.
Yomari Punhi, a Newari festival in Nepal is celebrated every year by Newari Communities marking the end of the rice harvest during the full moon day of November/December. It is said that eating Yomari or Yamari, a steamed dumpling made with rice flour with sweet such as Chaku inside takes away the cold.
Ga: Pyakhan in Patan(Asta Matrika Dance) is popular among the locals of Patan. The dance of Eight Mother Goddesses, deities of Hindus, is performed by male Buddhist dance during the Nepalese biggest Dashain festival. The dance is staged in the royal court of Mulchowk, inside the Patan Durbar Square of Lalitpur. It is believed that the dance is performed as a worship of the deities to bring the prosperity and fortune to the people.
While the entire nation prepares for the celebration of the biggest festival Dashain, local of Khokana village located to the south of Lalitpur gears up for the festival of Rudrayani known as Sikali Jatra. Festival is celebrated by a section of the ethnic Newari community with a skit presentation in a form of archaic storytelling with traditional music and individuals dressed in a godly attire adorned with the masks of deities and demons.
Tihar festival or the festival of Lights is Nepals' second-biggest festival after the Dashain festival. Tihar is considered to be one of the most fun-filled and celebrated festivals in Nepal. And, the festival falls under the best tourist season with the fantastic weather. One can take a tour of the Kathmandu valley and witness the majesty of the city during Tihar.
Majipa Lakhey in Newar mythology is the protective deity of all children in the Valley. During the annual festival of Indra Jatra, the dance of Majipa Lakhey is performed by the clan of Ranjitkars of Kathmandu with a traditional drum (Dhime) and a pair of Bhusya (pair of cymbals) with straps to fasten around the wrists. Devotees during the dance performance try to manage a touch the Lakhey’s rich display to take the blessings.
Indra Jatra, one of the highly celebrated street festival in Nepal marks beginning of the festival season and the beginning of a tourist season in Nepal. The festival is celebrated in the oldest town Basantapur Durbar Square or Hanuman Dhoka in Kathmandu by the local community with huge arrangements. The chariot of Kumari, the Living Goddess, is taken out in procession through the streets. People wear masks of various goddess and exhibit by dancing in the streets on music played with traditional musical instruments.
The festival of Mataya is one of the most important festivals in the Newar community in Patan. A unique Buddhist festival, during when men and women in a comical attire carrying candles and torches, traditional musicians playing merry rhythms walk to almost all the temples, stupas and monasteries in and around the old city of Lalitpur.
The legend of a jewel-studded vest (Bhoto) that came into possession of a priest when no one came to claim with evidence to whom it belongs. Today, the same Bhoto is displayed ending the month-long celebration of Rato Matsyendranath Festival in Lalitpur. And it is said, Bhoto is shown every year to the public as of an announcement to claim for it.
This particular act carries a message that anyone who tries to do ill and harm others, s/he is punished and no one escapes justice. A story of a powerful demon king had a son. The son refused to acknowledge his father as supreme lord of the universe and claimed that Lord Vishnu was all omnipresent
The legend of a giant chariot festival began with the Kingdom that drought for years causing misfortune and chaos as a result of disrespect to Gorakhnath. And, how Matsyendranath through devout and prayer, guru of Gorakhnath protected the valley with rain for the harvest, pulling the chariot and celebrating the coming of Lord Karunamaya.
When one thinks of a chariot festival in sure you're thinking of the, Indra Jatra, Bisket Jatra or Rato Matysendranth. These festivals are the biggest in each Kingdom of the then Nepal Valley, but one chariot festival when is as historic as the three is not so known of : The Chariot Festival of Aryavalokiteswara Jana Baha Dyo.
Fagun Purnima also known as Holi is a festival marking the end of winter and coming of spring and summer. Back in the days when phones and the internet didn’t exist, a ling bamboo lingo decorated with clothes of various colors (Chir) is erected a few days before the day of the festival. This tradition is still continued in Basantapur Durbar Square.
Losar is one of the main festivals celebrated by the ethnic communities of Tamang, Sherpa, Gurung and Thakali. Losar means new year according to the unisolar calendar followed by the communities, it is also known as the Tibetan Calendar which follows the cycle of 12 years called Lohokor.
Every year during the full moon of Poush Shukla, devotees flock to the holy river of Shali Nadi in Sankhu to offer their prayers to Goddess Swasthani and God Madhav Narayan. Devotees fast for their family’s prosperity till the next full moon. During the month family members read the book of Swasthani.
Holi, the festival of colors, is celebrated with great enthusiasm all over the country, and it is a time when one forgets and forgives.
Tihar is the most popular festival for many Nepalis, and this is because of the many fun activities that take place during all of its five days.
The weather is changing, and along with it, there’s a definite festive air around the country; yes, some of the country’s biggest festivals are here.
The biggest Nepali festival, Dashain, is known as a 10-day festival, but it actually ends on the 15th day, the day of Kojagrata Purnima.
Very rare video footage of Nepalis celebrating Indra Jatra festival, biggest street festival of Nepal, with much rejoice, singing, dancing and chariot procession in Kathmandu.
Our highest priorities in all our Nepal biking trips are safety, quality and enjoyment. You will ride on these wild and challenging trails through some of the most stunning scenic and cultural landscapes in the world. With the stunning backdrop of the Himalayan ranges, the extreme valleys and old forests of the rugged middle hills, the charming terraced fields and bright smiles in the timeless villages, you will remember this journey for its unique beauty as well as its challenging mountain biking terrain.
Pricing: Please choose among the various options available and we'll get back to you with a package that suits you best -- along with a quote.