| In
18th century Englishman observed in Kathmandu, every other
building is a temple every other day a festival " such reality
find you in Nepal calendar including more then 50 holidays plus many
minor holy days. Festivals fall according to the Nepali calendar which
consists of twelve lunar months 28 to 32 days begins in mid-April
of Gregorian calendar. So it always differ the actual dates of festival
in western Gregorian calendar. Every new and full moon days are ritually
important and marked by major puja at important holy sites. |
| GODS AND FESTIVAL OF NEPAL |
 NEW
YEAR
In the mid-april (Baishkh 1) Nepali New Year is celebrated National
wide. However the Bisket Jatra is famous, where the images of Bhaiskh
and goddess Bhadrakali are enshrined din chariots and 25m high victory
poles "Lingo is hoisted upright in an open field. Later it is
crashed by crowed of people on their own side for good and driving
away evil sprits and officially marking the New Year
MACHHENDRA
RATH JATRA ( LORD OF THE FISHES )
Patan's people believes the red machindranath,
the god of rain in widely celebrate for three month while seto
(white Machhendranath celebrate in Kathmandu equally by Hindus
and Buddhists. During Red Machhendranath, the festival ultimates
with the Bhoto Jatra, the showing of Machhendranath's tiny scared
vest to a huge crowd assembled at Jawalkhel, pathan.
BUDHHA
JAYANTI
On the May full moon mars the triple anniversary
of Buddha's birth, enlightment and death. All the stupa and
temple are decorated and white painted. Swayambhunath and Buddhanatah
are the main place to worship in valley while in Lumbini visitors
come from different countries.
JANAI
PURNIMA
A festival on the full moon of Bhadra (September),
high-caste Hindu men change their Janai (secret thread) and
receive a protective cord (dora) tied in the wrist from the
priest in Patan’s Khumbeshwar thousands people gather
whereas in the Gosaikunda, a pond in mountain north of valley
worship by crowd it is exclusively man festival.
GAI
JATRA ( COW FESTIVAL )
The festival is related to death ceremony. Recently berved families
honor their deceased by sending a cow out on parade or a small
boy dressed as a cow. Bhaktapur's Gai Jatra is most imaginative
with liberal doses of homemade alcohol and great processions
following behind blaring brass bands. Now a day’s political
lampoons, mockery and satire are permitted the entire week.
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INDRA
JATRA
The festival indicates the end of monsoon and the beginning
of harvest. Masked dance performance is connect the Kathmandu
with its medieval past. On this dance Prithvi Narayan Shah had
captured Kathmandu's king. During this festival Kumari Jatra
is also celebrated .The appearance of goddess Kumari, and the
king receives Tika from her is main attraction of this festival
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DASHAIN
This is greatest festival celebrating 10 days.
It is family-oriented and happy family visit their relative and friends.
Massive public sacrifices of buffalo which is favor to Durga, who
had killed buffalo-headed demon Mahikhasur to greenery of natural
power. The festival is also related to god Rama who had with the help
of Hanuman victory over Raven. So the festival is also called “Vijaya
Dashami” victory festival.
TIHAR
After two weeks of Dashain the Tihar festival
celebrate for 5 days. Homes are cleaned and many lamps lit to invite
the goddess of wealth.
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