Ice Cap Adventure on March 13, 2020
Nepal is not only famous for its high peaks, but it is also known as the land of festivals. Every year, more than 50 festivals are celebrated in Nepal. The national festivals have fixed dates, whereas religious festivals are set by astrologers following the lunar calendar. The best part about the festivals in Nepal is that all the events are celebrated in the same way they used to be hundreds of years ago, when people had no other means of entertainment.
Dashain is the main festival of Nepalese people. Every ethnic group in Nepal celebrates Dashain, which is also known as Bijaya Dasami. It is the longest and most favorable festival in the Nepalese annual calendar. The festival falls in September or October; it starts with the Shukla paksha of the month and ends on Purnima, the full moon. It is celebrated for 10 days, and the most important days are the first, seventh, eighth, ninth, and tenth. But the tenth day is very important because on this day all members of the family gather together, get tika from an elder, and take the blessing. This festival is also known for its emphasis on family gatherings. People return to their homes from all parts of the world to celebrate together. During this time, all government offices, educational institutions, and other private offices remain closed during the holiday period.
This is the festival of the light that comes between October and November. This festival is celebrated for five days, and people worship Laxmi, also known as the goddess of wealth. On this occasion, the houses are cleaned and decorated with the belief that Goddess Laxmi will enter the houses that are the cleanest, and people light candles, oil lamps, and other lights for illumination. During the five days, animals like crows, dogs, and cows are worshiped and honored with vermilion and garland, and we give them delicious food for what they have done in our lives. Crows are regarded as messengers. Dogs are the most obedient animals and guard our house, whereas cows are also a symbol of wealth in Hinduism. The festival ends with Bhai Tika’s birthday, when his sister worships him for his long and healthy life to safeguard the lives of his sisters.
Nepal has an official calendar that begins on the first day of the first month of Baisakh. And it is referred to as “Navavarsha” in Nepal. On this day, there is also a national holiday. On this occasion, people celebrate as they wish, like get-togethers with friends or family members by eating delicious foods, going for a picnic, going to different temples for worship, and many other ways.
Janai Purnima is a Hindu festival celebrated all over the country, with the gathering of a family member and feasts of Kwati. On this day, Hindu men renew their Janai, and people crowd to Shiva temples in different parts of the country. On this day, Shamans from the valley and around Nepal gather to perform their ancient rites in places like Kumbeshwar in Patan and Gosaikunda in Langtang. Brahman priests tie yellow or red sacred threads around the wrists of the faithful. Janai Purnima is also known as Gunhi Punhi in Kathmandu Valley, Newars, and they prepare a soup of a mixture of beans called Kwati as a special food for the day. Kwati is made from sprouted beans. It is celebrated on the full moon day of Shrawan.
Nag Panchami celebrated the 5th of Shrawan to honor the battle between Nag and Garur. A garur stone image of Changu Narayan is said to cause people to sweat during the festival, and priests are sent to wipe the sweat off with a handkerchief. It is also believed that Nag Panchami welcomes the other festivals in Nepal.
Krishna Janmashtami is celebrated on the birth anniversary of Lord Sri Krishna. It is believed that Lord Sri Krishna will be the 8th incarnation of Lord Vishnu in August/September. All the devotees gather in Krishna Mandir to offer their prayers, flowers, food, sweets, and chant hymns too.
Ghode Jatra is also known as the Festival of Horses. This festival is celebrated between March and April, and a grand horse show takes place at Tundikhel. On this day, many horse events are shown by the Nepal Army. Although this festival does not have many religious aspects, many people from outside and inside gather to watch the show.
Buddha’s Jayanti is celebrated every year in May in Nepal on the occasion of Buddha’s birth. On this day, many people go to Swayambhunath and Boudhanath to pay respect to Buddha. Some people also visit the birthplace of Lord Buddha in Lumbini and chant prayers and burn lamps. Lord Buddha was born as Prince Siddhartha Gautam, but he left his luxurious life when he realized the misery of mankind and went in search of enlightenment.
Lhosar is known as the Tibetan New Year, and the Sherpas of Nepal also celebrate the New Year, which falls in February. Buddhist monasteries in Kathmandu, like Boudhanath and Swayambhunath, are decorated with colorful prayer flags pulling the masses. The people perform many traditional dances and welcome the New Year with feasts by gathering family, friends, and relatives wearing their traditional clothes and jewelry and exchanging gifts.
Shivaratri is one of the major festivals in Nepal. This day is dedicated to the lord of lords, known as Lord Shiva or Mahadev, who lived on Mount Kailash in the Himalayas. In the Hindu religion, Lord Shiva is the most worshipped god. Thousands of Hindu devotees from India and Southeast Asia gathered weeks ahead of the festival and gathered in and around Pashupatinath temple to pay their respects to Lord Shiva on his birthday. On this holy day, worshippers take a dip and bathe in the holy river at early dawn, fast for the whole day, and stay around a bonfire to keep warm as it is still winter in Nepal. The devotees also freely luxuriate in using marijuana and other intoxicating substances, as these things are believed to please Lord Shiva.
