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festivals in nepal
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.
The Newari Culture of the 3 Kingdoms of Bhaktapur, Patan and Kathmandu are centuries old and have various elements to them. One of the most crucial elements of Newari tradition is the masked dances of various Gods and Goddesses which are celebrated differently in all parts of the valley. Their history is contained only with the locals and some have already been lost to time, in today’s modern world most just cherish these events temporarily and, in the moment, not bothering to understand its symbolic history and importance.
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.
Celebrated as the day of Lord Shiva, Maha Shivaratri is one of the most important celebrations for the devotees of Lord Shiva and Hindus around the world. Maha Shivaratri falls on Mid-February or March in the Gregorian calendar. Also known as the Great Night of Lord Shiva, the biggest hub in Nepal during the night is the Pasupati-Nath Temple in Kathmandu.
Legends state on the day, Lord Shiva is said to have saved the world from annihilation. On the condition that from the day forward people worship him with great pride and enthusiasm. Other legends state how the day marks the wedding day of Lord Shiva and Parvati. Believers also know the auspicious night as the night of "Tandava", the primal dance of creation, preservation and destruction. According to Linga Purana , it is believed during Shivaratri Lord Shiva manifested himself into the form of a Linga.
Thousands of devotees, aesthetics, yogi's visit the Pashupati-Nath Temple in Kathmandu, one of the holiest shrine of the Hindus.
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.
Lord Shiva, one of the three main deities of Hinduism, has numerous devotees all over Nepal and the Indian subcontinent. He also has many temples all over the country.
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.
Here’s a chance to participate in a festival that’s pretty boisterous, a festival in which two huge wooden chariots are pulled by hundreds of enthusiastic folks — in all directions!
