In addition to the beauty of the Himalayas and abundant natural resources, Nepal is popular for its distinct culture and bright, vibrant festivals. Despite being small, the Himalayan nation is home to diverse nationalities and ethnicities. However, each has its traditions and celebrations. Most Nepalese festivals have religious overtones. Whereas some are based on significant events from ancient mythology and epic literature.
There are few destinations with a wide range of nature, culture, religion, lifestyle, and other factors in Nepal. In Nepal, each village celebrates its traditions in its way. Most of these customs date back centuries. Besides they are observed for specific reasons and with color.
Nepal is also famously known as the Land of Festivals for a reason. The number of festivals on the calendar is much. This is because of the concentration of numerous localities. Each group values and appreciates solitude with the culture of the others. This is the primary basis behind Nepal’s peaceful lifestyle and harmony.
Alpine Club of Himalaya is one of the reliable trekking companies in Nepal. we offer tours around the festive sites of Nepal. Are you are thinking of visiting Nepal and want to experience Nepal’s cultural and religious beauty? Plan with us to witness these 10 major festivals in Nepal.
This blog will talk about important and interesting 10 major festivals in Nepal.
Dashain
Dashain is Nepal’s most important and largest Hindu festival. The celebration honors Goddess Durga’s nine manifestations and the triumph of good over evil. Dashain is a ten-day festival.Bijaya/Vijaya Dashami or Bada Dashain are other names for this festival. The event commemorates Lord Ram’s victory over Ravana.
Goddess Durga is revered with tremendous fervor. She is the true embodiment of power, bravery, harshness over vices, and many other virtues.
It’s also the season for folks to come together with friends and family for a feast. People put on new garments on this day. They take tika on their foreheads and Jamara from their elders’ hands.
Tihar
Tihar is considered Nepal’s second most important celebration. It is observed for five days. It’s a festival of light and color. People paint their surroundings, hang beautiful lights, and celebrate the event. Especially with their sisters’ Tika rituals.
Tihar is the festival of brothers and sisters too. It is celebrated to reinforce their bonds. Crows, dogs, oxen, and cows are worshiped for four days. The goddess Laxmi, the goddess of wealth, is also worshipped on the fourth day. The fifth day is Bhai tika. On this day, sisters decorate their foreheads with colorful tikas. Blessings are provided in exchange for a long and healthy life. Cooked variants are delicious.
Teej
Teej, also known as Haritalika Teej, is a three-day holiday that women celebrate. Hindu Nepali ladies all across the world commemorate this event. During this event, women pray to Lord Shiva for particular blessings. Women pray to get a wonderful husband in their lives. Women honored Teej for her husband’s long life too. Also for their long and strong relationship in this life and in the lifetimes to come.
Buddha Jayanti
Buddha Jayanti is also the most important Nepal national festival. It is celebrated with great pomp and circumstance. On this day, Lord Buddha was born in Lumbini. Therefore, Buddhists from all over the world flock to Nepal for the event.
Prayer flags and butter lamps adorn Boudhanath, Swayambhunath, Lumbini, and Monkey Temple. Monks assemble to chant Buddhist chants and give prayers. People eat vegetarian meals, avoid alcohol, and practice dan-dharma. Local women go to viharas to study Buddhist sutras. During Buddha Jayanti, every Buddhist prepares kheer or sweet porridge.
Gai Jatra
Gai Jatra, or the festival of cows, is one of Nepal’s most popular holidays. It commemorates the deaths of people throughout the year. According to local belief, cows can assist the departed in reaching Yama, the God of Death. This is one of Nepal’s most distinctive events. On this day, people dress up like crows and parade around the streets and alleyways.
Families of the deceased accompany the parade and hand out food packs and fruits to those in need. Locals participate in rallies where men do woman’s clothing. People enjoy singing, ridicule, and traditional Ghinta Ghisi dance. These are all done to alleviate the pain and anguish of departed spirits. During Gai Jatra, mask dancing is also performed.
Ghode Jatra
This celebration takes place in Nepal’s valley areas. There will be a horse parade at this festival. According to legend, there is a demon burial beneath Tundikhel. Therefore the horse procession ensures that his spirit does not escape. During this holiday, the valley’s Newar communities throw feasts and celebrations.
Tundikhel also hosts several acrobatic acts and parades by the Nepalese army. On this day, you can see special rites in the temples of Kankeswari, Bhairav, and Bhadrakali.
Chhat Parwa
The Mithila people celebrate the Chhat festival, the Terai community’s most famous festivity. This festival’s ceremonies intend on paying homage to the Sun God. People worship the sun god his benevolence and light over the people. During the day, the residents fast to pray for success and money.
They sit down for a magnificent feast after admiring the sunset. Other essential festival customs include:
- Taking a holy dip in the river.
- Water diving.
- Making special foods for the Sun God, among others.
Maha Shivaratri
Thousands of monks flock to celebrate Mahashivaratri in Nepal’s several Shiv temples. It is observed particularly in Pashupatinath massively. As the temples lit up with lamps, devotees fast for the entire day. They worship Shiva Linga at night. Devotees clean Shiva Linga in holy water and Panchamrit. Then they present flowers, mango leaves, and peepal leaves, among other offerings to shiv linga.
You should not miss the visually stunning evening prayers and aartis. Mahashivaratri is one of Nepal’s most sacred celebrations.
Biwaha Panchami
Biwaha Panchami is the day of the Bibaha Utsav of Sita and Ram. Thousands of people travel to Janakpur, Nepal, to see Mata Sita sculpture. She was born in Janakpur and married Bhagavan Sri Ram there.
Bibaha Panchami is a Nepalese festival that is also famous in Jabalpur, India. The birthplace of Ramayana’s Mata Sita is Janakpur, Nepal. The Bibaha Panchami event commemorates Bhagavan Sri Ram and Mata Sita’s wedding.
Holi
Fagu Purnima, named Holi, is a Hindu festival. People celebrate this festival on a full moon day in the month of Falgun. Nepal’s most popular event, filled with vibrant colors, friendliness, and love.
As a sign of affection, people gather and put colors on one other. The residents of Nepal’s Terai region celebrate Holi the day after Kathmandu. It’s a fantastic experience for people from all around the world.
In addition to these festivals, Regional, community, and seasonal festivals abound in Nepal. Because there are so many festivals, it’s possible to have a festive experience at any time of year. Alpine Club of Himalaya can help you plan your vacation to Nepal’s fascinating festivals.
