Maha Shivaratri

Shivaratri meaning the night of Lord Shiva is one of the major festivals of Nepal. Hundreds of thousands of followers from different parts of country and India crowd the Pashupatinath temple-one of the holiest shrines of the Hindus in Kathmandu to worship Lord shiva on his birthday. Lord shiva is considered as the guardian and protector of everything that exists. Colorful and naked sadhus, the wandering sages who emulate Shiva with ashes over their bodies, give lectures to disciples, meditate, or practice yoga. special attendance camps are set in the courtyards of the temples situated at the opposite bank, where non-Hindus are also free to wander. The curious can witness some rather interesting yogic demonstrations there. Children collect donations from passerby since the morning to buy necessary items to prepare holy meal and bonfire during the evening. People make bonfire at junctions and homes at the evening and warm themselves sitting by the fire eating prasad and the holy meal.

Festival held in: Magh/Fagul Nepali month/Jan-Feb
Places to Observe this festival: Pashupatinath Temple, Kathmandu and other Lord shiva's Temples in the country

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Basanta Panchami (Shree Panchami)

Basanta Panchami is also called Shri Panchami or Saraswoti Puja and is celebrated in the honor of Goddess Saraswoti, goddess of knowledge and learning. This day is very special for students. They take early morning bath, wear clean clothes, worship their books and visit to temple of goddess Saraswoti with puja items. Students believe that worshiping the goddess on this day broadens up their knowledge horizon and their studies will progress further fruitfully. Parents who have toddlers at home take them to temples and make them write on the walls of the temple. This day also bears cultural and religious significance for Buddhists who prioritize this day for worshiping God Manjushree. At Hanuman Dhoka in Kathmandu official announcement is made indicating the arrival of spring. Astrologically, Shri Panchami is an ideal day for couples to tie a marriage knot and also for new born babies name giving sacrament called nwaran.

Festival held in: Magh Nepali month/Jan-Feb
Places to Observe this festival: Saraswoti temples in Kathmandu and other parts of the country

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Maghe Sankranti

In the holy month of Magh the sun enters the southern hemisphere, and the days begin to grow longer and warmer. Lord Vishnu the Preserver is thanked for his efforts. On Maghe sankranti (the first day of Magh) people take an early morning bath in a holy river, visit the shrines of Vishnu, and present flowers, incense and food to him. They read the Bhagwad Gita, also known as The Song of Gods, apply mustard oil over their bodies, and enjoy feast of rice cooked with lentiles, yams or tarul a must and til ko laddu, sweets made of sesame and jaggery (sugarcane paste).

People from many parts of the country rush to Devhat, a confluence of three rivers, to take holy bath in the river on this day.

Festival held in: Magh Nepali month/middle January
Places to Observe this festival: River of nepal and Nepali Home

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Sherpa Lhosar

Sherpas and Tibetans welcome their New Year with feasts, family visits and dancing. Families done their finest clothes and jewelry 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; the colors seem especially brilliant at the Boudha and Swyambhu stupas. Crowds of celebrants at Boudhha bring in the New Year by throwing tsampa (roasted barley flour) into the air.

Festival held in: Magh Nepali month/Jan-Feb
Places to Observe this festival: Boudhanath, Swambhunath, Kathmandu and northern region of Nepal

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Tamu Lhosar (New Year)

Abiding the lunar calendar Tamang, Magar, Gurung and other Himalayan communities of Nepal celebrate Tamu Lhosar as their New Year during the month of December. Monasteries are attractively adorned with colorful decorative items. People take blessings from monks for their progress, prosperity and happiness. Each home raises a flag on top of its roof. A party is organized at home and invitation are forwarded  to relatives and friends. Delicious food, music and dance become the essence of party. Greetings and gifts are exchanged.

Festival held in: Poush Nepali month/Late December
Places to Observe this festival: Tamang, Magar and Gurung Socities

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Naag Panchami

Nepalese worship snake gods, also called the Nagas. during this festival. In the ancient time Nagas halted rain from pouring over Nepal. The king of that time also happened to be a Tantric and so he used his power to make Nagas let go of rain. The king succeeded in doing so but he also honored the majestic power of Nagas by turning the day of victory into a festive occasion of Nag Panchami. On Nag Panchami, devotees put a picture of Nag high above their doorway and perform puja with necessary puja items. Offerings in the form of food are left in the yards and paddies for snakes.

Festival held in: Shrawan Nepali month/July-August
Places to Observe this festival: Throughout Nepal at Nepali Home

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Gai Jatra

The gai or cow, is holy to Hindus as she represents Laxmi, the goddess of wealth. It is believed that she guides the souls of the departed to the gates of the heaven. Gai Jatra is an occasion for satire, jokes and colorful processions. People who have lost their family members take comfort in the fact that the holy cow has safely transported the departed souls on their afterlife journey. Children dressed up as cows, and sadhus as well as other Whimsical characters of all sorts fill the streets. Special issues of local magazines are circulated full of satire and jokes of reputed and famous people.

Festival held in: Shrawan Nepali month/July-August
Places to Observe this festival: Kathmandu, Patan, Bhaktapur & Pokhara

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Krishnastami

Krishnashtami is the birthday of Lord Krishna the hero of the Hindu epic Mahabharata. Devotees flock to the ancient Krishna temple in Patan Durbar Square to worship and recieve blessings. It is celebrated across the country at the temples of lord Krishna. In Kathmandu, decorated statues and pictures of Lord Krishna are displayed at many places.

Festival held in: Shrawan Nepali month/July-August
Places to Observe this festival: All Krishna Temples

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Gaura Parba

Gaura Parva is celebrated in far western Nepal honoring Lord Krishna's birthday. The Deuda dance is a major part of the festivities in which participants hold hands and form a circle as they step to traditional music.

Festival held in: Bhadra month/August-Sep 
Places to Observe this festival: Far Western Development Region of Nepal

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Indra Jatra

It is believed that many centuries ago, Indra (King of Heaven)'s mother needed specially scented flowers (Parijaat). Indra looked for them but could not find in heaven. Indra discovered Parijaat flowers in the Kathmandu Valley and tried to steal them for his mother. He was caught and imprisoned by people in the Valley. Indra's mother came searching for him and the people were shocked to know what they had done. They released Indra and dedicated one of the most colorful festivals of Nepal to him to calm down his anger. This festival lasts for eight days with singing, mask dancing and jubilitaion. The chariot of Kumari, the Living Goddess along with chariots of Bhairab and Ganesh are taken through the main streets of Kathmandu with much fanfare. Masks and statues representing Vishnu, Bhairab, and Shiva are shown to the public. Various masked dances like Pulu Kishi (elephant dance), Lakhe, Sawa Bhaku and Mahankali dances ae performed at various places. Indra is thanked for the rains and assured once again that he is respected in the Kathmandu Valley.

Festival held in: Bhadra Nepali month/Early september
Places to Observe this festival: Kathmandu

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Dashain

Dashain is the longest and most favorite festival of Nepal. Skies of Kathmandu filled with kites. Big swings are set on the grounds for children and grown ups alikes. Animals like buffaloes, goats, ducks and chickens are sacrificed to the goddess Durga on Kal ratri (the dark night) to celebrate her victory over evil. Following day, on Nawami, people dress up well and visit elders to recieve large red tikas of vermilion paste on their foreheads. In the following days of Dashain, families and friends unite, feasts are consumed, blessings are imparted and gifts are exchanged.

Day by day Dashain festival

Day 1: Ghatasthapana
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7: Fulpaati
Day 8: Maha Asthami
Day 9: Maha Nawami
Day 10: Bijaya Dashami, Tika

Festival held in: Ashoj Nepali month/September-October
Places to Observe this festival: All over the country at Nepali Home

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Tihar

Tihar is celebrated as the second biggest festival after Dashai. It is the Festival of Lights tinsel decorations and sweets. On different days, people worship crows, dogs, cows and oxen with vermiliion, garland and delicious food for their important role in the society. On the night of Lakshmi Puja, Houses are cleaned and decorated with candles, oil lamps and other lights with the belief that Goddess Laxmi will enter the house that is bright and cleanest. Garlands are hung at the doors and windows and lamps are lit to invite Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, into the homes, shops and workplaces. Newar community in Nepal also observes Mha Puja, a ritual of worshipping one's own body and sould to remain healthy and happy for the rest of the year. On Bhaitika, the last day of the festival is the day when sisters make offerings to their brothers for their longivity to safeguard the lives of his sisters and brothers in return reward them with valuable goods. The rituls of breaking a walnut, putting on garlands of Makhamali flowers and encircling brothers in rings of mustard oil are performed to protect them from Yama, lord of the death.

day by day on Tihar festival
Day one: Worshiping Crows
Day two: Worshiping Dogs
Day Three: Worshiping Cows
Day four: Worshiping Oxen
Day five: worshiping Brother

Festival held in: Ashoj-Katik Nepali month/October
Places to Observe this festival: Throughout Nepal at Nepali Home

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Nepal Sambat (Newari New Year)

According to local legends, a citizen of Kathmandu named sankhadhar Sakhwa paid off the debts of all the people of Nepal. To commemorate the event, a new era was established known as Nepal Sambat. Newar community from all over the country mark the new year with different festivities and cultural programmes. The Nepal sambat follows the lunar calendar. It consists of 354 days per year and an added one month every third year. This calendar came into being and into official use during the reign of King Raghabden, immediately after the completion of Mandev sambat 304 (881 AD). Nepal sambat is an unique calendar in the whole world as all other calendars are named after some rulers or religious leaders where as Nepal sambat is the only calendar which is named after a country. Gorkha king Prithvi Narayan Shah brought Shaka Sambat into official use after conquering Kathmandu in 1769 AD.

Festival held in: Asoj Nepali Month/October 
Places to Observe this festival: Throughout Nepal

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Mani Rimdu

Mani Rimdu is the most important festival in Tengboche. Trips to the Everest region can be rewarding if they can be organized during the days of the festival It consists of nice days of ceremonies and meditation (Drupchen). This is concluded by a special blessing ceremony given by Tenboche Rinpoche to the public and the world renowned Mask dances performed by the monks at Tengboche Monastery.

The following are the approximate dates of Mani Rimdu events this year based on the Tibetan lunar calendar.

• Preparations including making the sand Mandala and Tormas
• Drupchen ceremonies
• Monks pratices dancing without masks
• Giving the blessing to the general public (Wang)
• Famous Mask Dances performed by the monks in a special day long ceremony. Afterwards the sherpa community sing and dance the whole night long.
• Concluding Fire Puja.

Festival held in: Ashoj/October
Places to Observe this festival: Tengboche Monastery and in Everest Region

Source: Tengboche Monastery Development Project

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Chhath Parva

This festival is mainly celebrated in Janakpur by Maithali-speaking people as well as in the rest of the country. It has been a cultural convergence of both the Maithali-speaking people and the people migrated to Janakpur from Hill areas. Chhath festival is marked for four days. Men and women prepare special dishes made up of special rice and molasses and taste them after an audience to the moon. They take a dip in Ganga Sagar, the famous lakes of the area. during the four-day-festival, the devotees worship the rising and setting sun. They have a belief that worshiping the sun would help cure the diseases like Leprosy and bring about longevity and prosperity to their family members. Local people say that the festival has become more important after migrants from the hills also adopted it as their own cultural asset.

Festival held in: Kartik Nepali Month/Late October
Places to Observe this festival: Pashupatinath-Gujeshwori Bank river and Terai Regions of Nepal

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Bala Chaturdasi

It is another festival to appease the souls of the dead of any wrong committed against them while they were still alive. The rites of this Chaturdasi are in honor of Bala, a burning ghat laborer who accidentally ate a piece of burnt flesh and became a demon addicted to cannibalism. Several different stories narrate the tale but the motif common to all is that Bala was tricked by a gesture friendship and killed. His vanquisher then began the custom of scattering grains for the dead this day, to atone for the fatal subterfuge. The mela begins at dusk the evening, prior, with devotees assembling in the vicinity of Pashupatinath for all night vigils. Ceremonies and ritual bathing begin at dawn, followed by a long, 2-3 hour procession through a rough course over which the participants scatter grains. This continues until a horn sounds the termination in the evening.

Festival held in: Kartik Nepali Month/Middle of November 
Places to Observe this festival: Pashupatinath and other Shiva Temples

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Bibah Panchami

All the people of the Hindu world know the story of the marriage of the hero Ram and the princess Sita, as told in the epic Ramayana. King Janak, Sita's father, proposed a test of strength for the suitors of his daughter: to string the great bow of Lord Shiva. Warriors, kin-s and chieftains came from afar, butno man could even lift the bow. Ram lifted the bow with ease and when he tried to string it, the bow shattered into pieces. Ram and Sita were married in Janakpur,  now in southern Nepal, and their mariage is celebrated to this day. Each year, idols of Ram and Sita are brought out in procession and their Hindu wedding ceemony is re-enacted during a week-long religious fair. Bibah Panchami reflects the devotion of Hindus to Ram, perhaps the most popular among the incarnations of Vishnu, and to Sita, the model of the ideal Hindu woman.

Festival held in: Mangsir Nepali Month/middle of November
Places to Observe this festival: Janaki Temple in Janakpur (Southern Nepal)

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Udhouli Parba (Kirant Parba)

Udhouli festival is celebrated by Kirat, Rai and Limbu ethnic groups during the harvest season which falls in the month of November/December, mainly to exhibit the gratefulness to the nature for the plentiful harvest and to receive the approval to harvest from the land. The literal definition of Udhouli is the migration of animals and birds from northern higher region down to warmer southern low lands. This migration towards south gave the festival its name Udhouli literally means downward movement.

Festival held in: Mangsir Nepali Month/November or December
Places to Observe this festival: Kirat Community

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Yomari Punhi

People of the Kathmandu Valley offer worship to Annapurna, the goddess of grains, for the rice harvest on this full moon. According to the legends Suchandra and Krita, a married couple, first experimented with fresh yield of rice from their field at present day Panauti in ancient times. And what took shape turned ouot came to be known as yomari. The new delicacy was eventually distributed among the villagers. As the food was liked by all, the bread was named yomari, which literally means ‘tasty bread’ in Newari language. A yomari is a confection of rice-flour (from the new harvest) dough shaped like fig and filled with brown cane sugar and sesame seeds, which is then steamed. This delicacy is the chief item on the menu during the post-harvest celebration of Yomari Punhi. Groups of kids go neighborhood to beg yomari cakes from housewives in the evening. Sacred masked dances are performed in the villages of Hari Siddhi and Thecho at the southern end of the Valley to mark the festival. 

Festival held in: Mangsir Nepali Month/First week of December
Places to Observe this festival: Newari home

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Jani Poornima

On Janai Poornima, a full moon day, high caste Hindus chant the powerful Gayatri mantra and change their Sacred Thread (Janai), while a rakshya bandhan, a red or yellow protection cor, is tied around the wrists of other Hindus and Buddhists. Pilgrims journey to Gaosaikunda Lake (sacred lake). They pray to Lord Shiva by bathing in the sacred lake. Kumbheswar Mahadev temple at Patan is also crowded with pilgrims where a pond is espcially prepared for the festival.

Festival held in: Shrawan Nepali Month/First week of August
Places to Observe this festival: Throughout Nepal, Pashupatinath area, Kumbheswor patan and River Banks

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