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Shivaratri (Feb):
 This is the greatest among the numerous Hindu festivals observed
in honor of Lord Shiva, the god of Regenerations. A great
religious fair takes place in the Pashupatinath Temple and
thousands of people from all over Nepal and India flock the
temple to worship Lord Shiva. Many pilgrims and worshippers
spend whole night lighting sacred fires, singing praises of Lord
Shiva and keeping a vigil to welcome the descent of the deity.
Early next morning, the faithful devotees take a sacred dip in
the Bagmati River to purify their bodies and souls. Then, they
fetch holy water in their cupped palms to offer it to the
phallic symbol of Lord Shiva enshrined in the innermost sanctum
of the temple. People visit the temple throughout the day
offering rice, vermilion, fruits, flowers and coins.
Holi (The festival of colors)
February-March
 Holi, also known as the festival of colors, is celebrated across
the country for eight days. It marks the happy demise of Holika,
a malevolent demoness, at the hands of Lord Bishnu. Revelers
mark the occasion by smearing colored powder and throwing
colored water at each other. In Kathmandu, a ceremonial pole (chir)
is raised in front of the Kumari Chhen at Durbar Square to
announce the beginning of the revelry. The pole, decorated with
fluttering strips of colored cloth, is pulled up amid the
cheering of the crowd gathered around. Gunfire and traditional
music echo in the air. The colorful strips of cloth are said to
symbolize the divine flames that turned Holika and her demonic
intentions into ashes.
Also on the full moon night of Holi, Jyapu farmers of Kathmandu
leave a feast of rice and the middle of the Tundikhel parade
ground for the giant Gurumapa. Long long ago, the giant used to
terrorize city-dwellers by snatching away their children and was
persuaded to give up his ways with the promise of a yearly
banquet.
In the Terai, the southern plains of Nepal, Holi climaxes of
March 2
Ghoda Jatra (The horse festival)
Kathmandu, March
 Ghode Jatra, or the horse festival, consists of colorful
pageantry dominated by horse races at Tundikhel, the parade
ground at the city center. Legend has it that the thundering
hooves of the horses keep the un-absolved spirit of Tundi, a
ferocious demon, buried under that very ground. In recent years,
parachuting, aerobatics, bicycle races and similar other sports
have been included to add to the thrills and stunts of the
traditional horse races. Their Majesties the King and Queen, as
well as various state dignitaries and members of the diplomatic
corps, attend Ghoda Jatra at the Royal Nepal Army Pavilion.
In the Patan version of the Ghode Jatra festival, a horse is
made to rink liquor and the townspeople chase the intoxicated
animal through the streets amidst much cheering and clapping.
Sako Mu-Jatra (The festival of Bajra Jogini)
Sankhu- April
 One of the four major Bajra Jogini temples in the Kathmandu
Valley is located at the hilltop town of Sako, also known as
Sankhu, some 20 km east of Kathmandu. This powerful goddess is
worshipped by both Hindus and Buddhists. Once a year, the
deity’s image is put on a palanquin and carried around the town
in a colorful procession. This is a good day to visit the
charming old town when it comes alive with music, festivity and
feasting.
Bunga-dyo Jatra (Chariot festival of Red Machhendranath)
Patan-April]
 Patan breaks out in color, music, dancing, and feasting in this
month-long religious revelry, the year’s biggest festival in the
city. Bunga-dyo, also known as Rato (red) Machhendranath, is the
Buddhist deity of rain and his chariot festival heralds the
rice-planting season. The deity’s image is installed in a tall
chariot and dragged around the city accompanied by traditional
musical bands. His month-long journey through Patan comes to an
end as the juggernaut lumbers into Jawalakhel for the final
ceremony known as Bhoto Jatra. The auspicious day is determined
by astrologers the festival climaxes with the display of the
bhoto, or sacred vest, to the assembled masses.
Buddha Jayanti (the birthday of Lord Gautam Buddha)
April
 Buddha Jayanti commemorates three important events in the
Buddha’s live-his birth enlightenment and nirvana. The Buddha
was born as Prince Siddhartha in Lumbini of southern Nepal on
this full moon day over 2,500 years ago. And it was on this same
full moon day that he attained enlightenment in Bodhgaya and
passed away into nirvana at Kusinagar of India.
In the Kathmandu Valley, the festival is also known as Swanya
Punhi, or the full moon day of flowers. The main ceremonies take
place around the massive stupa of Swayambhu situated atop a
hillock to the west of the city. From early in the morning,
devotees can be seen thronging the shrine with musical bands.
Offerings of butter lamps, incense and rice are made to the many
Buddha images there. Prayer ceremonies are held and Bajracharya
priests perform ancient ritual dances. Sacred paubha scroll
paintings and Buddha images are put on display.
Indrayani Jatra:
 The colorful Indrayani Jatra celebrated in Kirtipur 6 km to the
southwest of Kathmandu, is designed to propitiate Indrayani
Jatra, one of the Ajimas (mother Goddesses) who protect the
valley. The three day festival happens around Indrayani's two
shrines, one in the town center and the other outside the
ancient township. The first day see a procession with musical
bands in which the deity's image is carried on a kept here for
the town center to the second shrine. It is kept here for the
next two days so that the faithful can pay homage. On the third
day, the goddess is carried back to the main shrine accompanied
by the palanquin of Ganesh, the god of good fortune. The
Indrayani Jatra is one of the most important festivals held in
Kirtipur.
Tihar: (Festival of Lights) Nov.
 This festival is a time of lights and tinsel decorations, fancy
sweets and juicy fruits. The celebrations begin with the
adoration of crows and dogs. Leaf dishes of rice, incense and
light are set out for the dark messenger, while dogs are
worshipped and offer goodies. Laxmi, the Goddess of Wealth, is
worshipped. Rows of lamps are placed on windows and doors, with
the strong hope that Laxmi pleases to reside in light. The
following day belongs to the cow, representative of Laxmi. The
final ceremony of Tihar is the day of brothers, brothers and
sisters honor each other on this day and sisters pray to Yama,
the god of Death, for their brothers' progress, prosperity and
longevity.
Lhosar:
 Lhosar, the Tibetan New Year which this year brings in the year
of the Water- sheep, is marked by festivities and elaborate
prayers. The atmosphere in the two sacred Buddhist shrines,
Swoyambhunath and Boudhanath is marked with prayer chants and
the hum of revolving prayer wheels, the smell of incense and
reverence.
Monasteries and Buddhist homes display new prayer flags against
the Himalayan skyline. In the mountain regions, communities like
the Sherpas, manangs, Tamangs and Gurungs celebrate the New Year
with varying adaptations. Friends and families are visited and
invited to homes for specially cooked meals and a ceaseless flow
of home- brewed wine.
The new year promises new beginnings and homes are cleaned
thoroughly to initiate celebrations. Spectacular masked dances
depicting age- old folklore and myths associated with Lhosar are
performed at monasteries and at Boudhanath Stupa. |
