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Nepali New Year ( 2065 Bikram Era) and Bisket Jatra
Festival (April 14, 2008)
It is known as "Navavarsha" in Nepal. Nepal
has its official calendar that begins from the first
day of the first month Baisakh. This very first day
is observed as Nepali New Year which usually falls in
the second week of April. People go for picnics, have
get-togethers and celebrate the day socializing in various
ways as this day is also a national holiday. The Bisket
Jatra Festival of Bhaktapur coincides with Nepali New
Year. There is a legend that every man who married the
Bhaktapur Princess died the honey-moon night. So, one
brave prince stayed a wake the night to see that two
serpents came out of the two nostrils of the princess
when she was asleep. The prince quickly took out his
sword and chopped the serpents head off the body. The
next day morning, the serpents were displayed in a pole
and the Bhaktapur amidst the celebration which continues
till today in the form of Bisket Jatra Festival. Still
the symbolic pole is erected in Taumadhi Tole of Bhaktapur
during this festival. After two days of the erection
of the pole, images of Lord Bhairab and his female counterpart
Bhadra are enshrined in two large chariots and pulled
through crowds of cheering onlookers. When the chariot
reaches a sloping open square, there is a tug-of-war
between the inhabitants of the upper and lower parts
of the town. Winners are considered to be blessed with
good fortune for the coming year. The festival concludes
with several days of dancing and worship. Thimi, another
ancient town of the Valley, also celebrates the New
Year with special festivities.
Buddha Jayanti (The Birthday
of Lord Buddha, May 27, 2008)
Buddha Jayanti is a great day for the Nepalese. This
day which falls on the full moon of the month of Baisakh
is celebrated to commemorate the birth, attainment of
knowledge, and the death of Lord Buddha the founder
preacher of Buddhism, more than 2500 years ago. It is
a thrice-blessed day. It is the day when he attained
Nirvana (salvation). Prayers are sung and worship is
offered by the Buddhist in leading Buddhist shrines
throughout the country. At Swayambhunath temple for
example, devout Buddhists gather to chant prayers and
burn butter lamps. The next morning, a small shrines
are visited and worshipped. Parading groups walk through
the streets of Katmandu and Patan while special flags
fly from all Buddhist households.
Losar-Sherpa and Tibetan's
New Year ( Feb 27, 2008)
S erpas and Tibetans welcome their New Year with feasts,
family visits and dancing. Families put on their finest
clothes and jewellery and exchange gifts. Buddhist monks
offer prayers for good health and prosperity, and perform
dances at the monasteries. Colorful prayer flags decorate
streets and rooftops; and the colors seem especially
brilliant at the Bouddha and Swayambhu stupas. Crowds
of celebrants at Bouddha bring in the New Year by throwing
tsampa (roasted barley flour) into the air.
Holi or Fagu Poornima (March
11, 2008)
This festival of water and colors that falls between
February/March is also known as "Phagu" in
Nepal. This day is observed to rejoice the extermination
of female demon Holika who together with her King brother
conspired to kill his son Pralhad, an ardent devotee
of Lord Vishnu. This day, playful people especially
the young ones wander through the streets in groups
on foot or vehicles with various colors smeared all
over them and the people in houses make merry throwing
colors and water balloons at each other and also to
these people on the streets.
Ghode Jatra (Festival of Horses,
March 26, 2008)
This festival takes place between March/April and a
grand horse parade takes place at Tundikhel. Although
this festival does not have much of religious aspects,
a large number of people, even from outside Kathmandu
flock around Kathmandu to witness the horse race and
other exciting sports activities performed by the Army
in the presence of the King and the Royal family.
Buddha's birth anniversary is celebrated every year
during May in Nepal. On this day people swarm in Swayambhunath
and Boudhanath to pay homage to Lord Buddha and also
visit Buddha's birth place in Lumbini and chant prayers
and burn butter lamps. Lord Buddha was born as Prince
Siddhartha Gautam but he abandoned his luxurious life
when he realized the misery of mankind and went in search
of enlightenment.
Gai Jatra (Aug 17, 2008)
The festival of "Gai Jatra", the procession
of cows, is generally celebrated in the Nepalese month
of Bhadra (August-September). The festival of cows is
one of the most popular festivals of Nepal. The whole
complex of Gai Jatra festival has its roots in the ancient
age when people feared and worshipped Yamaraj,"the
god of death". However, the ironical sessions synonymous
with the Gai Jatra festival came into tradition in the
medieval period of Nepal during the reign of Malla Kings.
Hence, the present form of Gai Jatra is a happy blending
of antiquity and medievalism.
According to the traditions since times immemorial,
every family who has lost one relative during the past
year must participate in a procession through the streets
of Kathmandu leading a cow. If a cow is unavailable
then a young boy dressed as a cow is considered a fair
substitute. In Hinduism, a cow is regarded as the most
venerated among all the domestic animals. It is believed
that the cow, revered as a holy animal by Hindus, will
help the deceased relative's journey to heaven.
Krishna Janmastami ( Aug 23,
2008)
The birth anniversary of Lord Sri Krishna, believed
to be the 8th incarnation of Lord Vishnu falls sometime
in August/September. All the devotees assemble in Krishna
Mandir, the ancient Krishna Temple in Patan Durbar Square
and other temples with the idol of Sri Krishna and offer
prayers, flowers, food, sweets and chant hymns too.
Teej ( Aug 26, 2006): This is a Hindu married woman's
day for her man. This festival is celebrated in August/September.
Women clad in beautiful red saris with shining potes
(glass beads), singing and dancing is the sight almost
everywhere in Nepal during the festival of Teej. On
this day women observe a fast and pray Lord Shiva for
the long, healthy and prosperous life of their husbands
and their families. The unmarried women also observe
this festival with unabated zeal with the hope that
they will get to marry good husbands. From early dawn,
women queue up in the multiple lines in Pashupatinath
to offer their prayers to Lord Shiva.
Indra Jatra ( Sep 17, 2008)
The festival is celebrated by both the Hindus and Buddhists
with great enthusiasm. The festival continues for eight
days during which time there is much rejoicing, dancing
and feasting. On the first day, along wooden pole is
erected in front of the ancient Royal Palace at Hunuman
Dhoka, in order to propitiate Indra, the god of rain.
Classical dancers also assemble at the spot wearing
different kinds of masks and dancing around the courtyard
of Hanuman Dhoka to celebrate Indra's visit. On the
third day of the festival, the Living Goddess or "Kumari"
is taken out in a procession in a chariot. Three chariots
of Kumari, Ganesh and Bhairav are taken round the city
for three days. The King also pays homage to the Kumari
during this time. The festival's many other interesting
dances including the Mahakali, Mahalaxmi, and Dasha
Avatara masked dances, are staged on the plinth of Narayan
temple, just opposite the Kumari temple. On the last
evening of the festival, the long wooden pole erected
on the first day is lowered amid religious ceremonies
and animal sacrifices.
Dashain (October 06-Oct 10,
2008)
During the month of Kartik (late September and early
October), the Nepalese people indulge in the biggest
festival of the year, Dashain. Dashain is the longest
and the most auspicious festival in the Nepalese annual
calendar, celebrated by Nepalese of all caste and creed
throughout the country. The fifteen days of celebration
occurs during the bright lunar fortnight ending on the
day of the full moon. Thorough out the kingdom of Nepal
the goddess Durga in all her manifestations are worshiped
with innumerable pujas, abundant offerings and thousands
of animal sacrifices for the ritual holy bathing, thus
drenching the goddess for days in blood. The festival
is celebrated for 15 days but the main celebration and
festivities are on 7th day ( Fulpati), 8th Day ( Maha
Ashtami), 9th Day ( Mahanavami) and 10th Day ( Vijaya
Dashami).
Tihar (Oct 12-30, 2008)
This festival of lights that falls between October/November
is the second biggest festival after Dashain. This festival
lasts for five days and people worship Laxmi - the Goddess
of Wealth. All the houses are cleaned and decorated
with the belief that Goddess Laxmi will enter the house
that is the cleanest and people lit candles, oil lamps
and other lights and the whole place looks illuminating.
During the five days, crows, dogs and cows are worshipped
and honored with vermilion, garland and delicious food
for what they have done in the lives of humans. Crows
are regarded as the messenger that brought news even
during the times when there were no postmen and no postal
services. Dogs are the most obedient animals and they
guard our house as true guardians. Cow is also a symbol
of wealth in Hinduism and she is also the national animal
of Nepal. During Tihar, the Newari community in Nepal
also observes Mha puja - a ritual of worshipping one's
own body and life. On this very day, the Newari New
Year which is also known as Nepal Sambat begins. The
festival ends with Bhai Tika - brothers' day when his
sisters worship him for his long and healthy life to
safeguard the lives of his sisters. This is also a gambling
time in Nepal as gambling is not illegal during this
festival.
Mani-Rimdu (Nov 13-16, 2008)
The first celebration of Mani-Rimdu at Monastery of
Tyangboche(Everest region) seems to have taken place
some time in 1930. It originates from Rongbukh Monastery
in Tibet Mani-Rimdu is a prayer ceremony where the Monks
put on masks representing divine personages and perform
ritual dances.The spectators of devotion come from many
village to gain Sonam (merit) from the head Lama's blessing
and making corn and grain contributions to the Monk's
community. Mani-Rimdu normally takes place every year
in the month of November (full moon, it can be changed
depending upon Tibetan Calender) and at-least for three
days. This period coincides with the cessation of work
in the village at the end of harvesting. Mani-Rimdu
is the only big social event that draws together large
crowds from all villagers in the Khumbu region.
Saraswati Pooja ( January 23,
2008)
Goddess Saraswati is regarded as the goddess of learning
or wisdom and this festival is dedicated to her. Saraswati
Puja, also known as Shree Panchami is the day basically
for students and teachers. They visit the Saraswati
Temple or install the Saraswati Image at home or at
school and peform rituals. They also worship the books,
pen etc. As one acquires knowledge and education through
reading books and writing with pens, students will worship
their books or school bags! People also throng around
the idol of Goddess Saraswati, especially in Swayambhunath
and offer flowers, sweets, fruits, etc. On this day,
small children are taught to read and write and people
write on the stones and slabs with chalks and pencils.
This day which falls between January/February is regarded
as a very auspicious day for marriages too as it is
believed that Goddess Saraswati herself blesses the
couples. Normally it is the astrologers who fix the
marriage date and time in Nepal.
Maha Shivaratri ( Feb 23, 2008)
Shivaratri or the night of Lord Shiva that falls sometime
between February/March is one of the major festivals
of Nepal. This day is dedicated to the Lord of the Lords
- Lord Shiva or Mahadeva who lived in Mt. Kailash in
the Himalayas. Lord Shiva is the most worshipped God
in the Hindu religion. More than 100,000 of Hindu devotees
from India and Southeast Asia throng weeks ahead of
the festival and gather in and around Pashupatinath
temple - one of the holiest shrines of the Hindus in
Kathmandu to pay their homage to Lord Shiva on his birthday.
"Pashupatinath" literally means "the
Lord of animals" as Lord Shiva is considered as
the guardian and protector of everything that exists
in the Himalayan Kingdom. On this holy day, worshippers
take dip and bath in the holy river at early dawn and
fast for the whole day and stay around fire to keep
them warm as it is still winter in Nepal. The devotees
also freely indulge in using marijuana and other intoxicating
substances as these things are believed to please Lord
Shiva and marijuana use is legal only on this sacred
day.
Lhosar (Tibetan New Year, Feb
28, 2008)
This is the New Year of the Tibetans and Sherpas of
Nepal which falls in February. The Buddhist monasteries
in Kathmandu like Boudhanath and Swayambhunath are decorated
with eye catching colorful prayer flags pulling the
crowd. The people perform their traditional dances and
welcome their New Year with feasts and family gatherings
wearing all the new clothes and finest jewelries and
exchanging gifts.
Tiji Festival of Mustang (13-16
May, 2008)
The Tiji festival is a three-day ritual known as "The
chasing of the Demons" that centers on the Tiji
myth. The myth tells of a deity named Dorje Jono who
must battle against his demon father to save the Kingdom
of Mustang from destruction. The demon father wreaked
havoc on Mustang by bringing a shortage of water (a
highly precious resource in this very dry land) and
causing many resulting disasters from famine to animal
loss. Dorje Jono eventually beats the demon and banishes
him from the land. Tiji is a celebration and reaffirmation
of this myth and throughout the festival the various
scenes of the myth will be enacted. It is of course
timed to coincide with the end of the dry winter / spring
season and will usher in the wetter monsoon season (the
growing season for Mustang). Tiji comes from the word
"ten che" meaning 'the hope of Buddha Dharma
prevailing in all worlds' and is effectively a spring
renewal festival. |
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