Nepal, One of the most beautiful countries in the world lies in the lap of the great Himalayas boarding China and Tibet in the north and India in the southeastern and western border. Nepal is a landlocked country between the giant country India and China. Festivals in Nepal celebrate different festivals with their different religions.
Nepal is one of the Hindu kingdoms during the monarchy dominates the Hindu religion. Nepal is also the birthplace of Buddha (light of Asia). Buddhism is also one of the main religions in the country. Islam Kirat, Christianity, and many other religions protected the country’s territory from prehistoric times.
As Nepal is a country of multi-religion, Nepal has lots of festivals being celebrated throughout the year. Not only the religion of Nepal but also the multi-language and multicultural country. Various ethnic communities are found inside the country. various ethnic communities and groups have different cultures and festivals that are celebrated in the country.
Geographically Nepal is a Neighbour of Tibet in the North and the culture of the northern part of Nepal is influenced by the Tibetan culture and lifestyle. The northern part is particularly called the Himalayas and they have their own Himalayan festivals. While the southern part of Nepal is influenced by the Indian culture and the festivals they celebrate are similar to the Indians.
The southern border people of Nepal have cross-country cultural similarities, so the exchange of marriage can also be practiced like the northern part of Nepalese exchange girls with Tibetan youths for marriage. so Nepalese culture is influenced by Tibetian culture in the north and by India in the south.
We can see the diversity in the culture of Nepalese people, Their race, caste, ethnicity, Geography, and Language, are different from one place to another. Even Religion is different among the people so they celebrate various types of festivals.
There are 100s of festivals being celebrated in Nepal, Among them here Mission Himalaya Treks and Expedition PVT LTD have listed some of the most important festivals of Nepali people.
The popular festivals in Nepal are profuse and varied, its multiculturalism makes it one of the most extensive holiday calendars in the world. For this reason, you can find events in Nepal practically all year round. The traditions and culture of the Nepalese population, mainly Hindu and Buddhist, mark the celebration of the festivities in Nepal.
On the other hand, the traveler must bear in mind that the Nepalese calendar is a different solar calendar from our Gregorian calendar. Be that as it may, the popular festivals in Nepal are spread throughout its entire geography. Let’s see what are the most traditional festivals of this multi-ethnic town.
Festivals In Nepal are:
January – Prithvi Jayanti:
On January 15, Nepalese celebrate Prithvi Jayanti, which is the day that homage is paid to the late King Prithvi Narayan, the founder of the present state of Nepal. This celebration brings together the population in front of the Singha Durbar temple, dressed in garlands with which to decorate the statue of the king.
February – Sonam Losar:
In February, specifically on the fifth, the Sonam Losar takes place, one of the most traditional popular festivals in Nepal. This holiday celebrates the New Year for the Tamang ethnic group, who follow the Chinese-Tibetan calendar. Before the festivities, Nepalese spend their time cleaning and decorating their homes, as well as placing offerings on the family.
March – Maha Shivaratri:
March is a particularly festive month, as it hosts different events in Nepal to celebrate various festivities. We start on March 4 with the Maha Shivaratri or pilgrimage to the Hindu temple Pashupatinath. The faithful go to the temple to ask Shiva for their wishes by making prayers and offerings.
On March 7, groups of Nepalese belonging to the Sherpa, Yolmo, Yupia, or Tibetan ethnic groups celebrate their new year, the Gyalpo Losar. This holiday is related to the Buddhist religion.
Bisket Jatra:
On the day of Baisakh Sankranti New Year’s Day according to our local calendar, a special ceremony is held in Bhaktapur which is at a distance of nine miles from Kathmandu. As a part of this Ceremony Known, as a “Bisket Jatra” two wooden poles are brought to represent Male and female one of which the one supposed to be a male is raised upright at Yasinkhya in Bhaktapur.
Two “Patakas” Cloth flappers are hung down on the erected pole to represent two deceased serpents who were, according to popular belief a Tantric and his wife in snake form. To justify the above rituals and the origin of this “Bisket Jatra” some legendary versions of stories are often repeated.
Once in the day of Yore, it so happened that whoever became the king of Bhaktapur was found dead the same night. once a courageous king of the solar race took over the reign of Bhaktapur who kept awake for the whole night to know the cause of such Mysterious deaths. At about midnight, he found a snake creeping toward him which killed him, and in the morning displayed it to the people.
Muni Acharya a famous Tantric found lord Bishwonath of Vanarasi there and chased him so that he could be held here but could not catch him. Therefore he chopped his head when he was trying to escape through the earth in the form of Bhairav.
This head of Bhairav was Installed in Bhaktapur and 643AD King Jagat Narayan Malla is believed to have built a chariot for Bhairav and thus introduced the practice of drawing chariots with Bhairav and Kali around the town of Bhaktapur.
A Lichhavi king named Shiva Deva was attacked by a Kirat king and sought help from the Ganesh Bajrayogini who advised him to consult his preceptor Shekher Acharya who assumed the shape of thousands of tigers and chased the Kirat. After that, He names in his actual form with the help of the enchanted rice.
He was persuaded by his wife to become a serpent. His wife in fear chewed the enchanted rice and became a she-serpent. She tried to get help from the king. The king being unaware, could not do anything. therefore they committed suicide which was discovered later.
The city was a Victim of Draught. the king Sought help from the preceptor. Because of this, in gratitude, the king started the Bisket Jatra Festival In Nepal.
We come on March 17 to celebrate one of the most striking festivities in Nepal, the Ghode Jatra or Horse Festival.
In Kathmandu especially this massive popular festival is celebrated. The month ends with the celebration of Holi, on March 20, a festival deeply rooted in the Hindu population of Nepal. The streets are filled with bright colors, dancing, and songs.
April – Ram Navami:
We continue with the popular festivals in Nepal, this time on April 14, when the Ram Navami takes place, a religious celebration that takes the statues of the gods, Rama and Sita, in procession through the streets of Nepal.
Also in April, on this same day, the Nepalese New Year is celebrated throughout the country according to the official calendar, so you will find numerous events, processions, picnics, food, and traditional music.
May – Buddha Jayanti:
In May, you can attend one of the most sacred holidays in Nepal about the Buddhist religion: Buddha Jayanti, or the birth of Buddha. The cities of the Buddhist tradition, such as Bodnath, are filled with flowers, lights, and flags. The birds that have been in cages up to that time are released and prayers are recited in the temples.
On May 28, however, the country celebrates Nepal’s Republic Day, a day to honor and celebrate democracy.
Unio – Ramjan Edul Fikra:
On June 5, the Muslim population of Hindu origin in Nepal celebrates the end of Ramadan with large banquets, drinks, and music in the company of family and friends. This holiday is known as Ramjan Edul Fikra, and it is an optional holiday that Nepalese may or may not include in their vacation and holiday calendar.
July and August – Raksha Bandhan:
During the hottest months, the Raksha Bandhan, or Feast of the Fraternity takes place in different regions of Nepal. This festival is a way for Nepalese to bring families together to celebrate blood ties together.
September – Hartalika Teej:
September is once again one of the months with the most popular festivals in Nepal. The month begins on the 1st with the feast in honor of the goddess Parvati, the Hartalika Teej, a celebration during which women wear red and celebrate the feasts in honor of their goddess for three days.
Once the Parvati celebration is over, the Rishi Panchami begins on the 3rd, during this holiday, Nepalese Hindus recite the oldest Vedic texts in honor of the seven rishis or sages of the Hindu millennial tradition.
October – Diwali:
October is a perfect month to visit Nepal, not only because of the weather but because it hosts the most famous popular festivals in Nepal. First, on the 8th, the Dashain Festival is celebrated, the most important festival in the country. Kite competitions are held, the streets are decorated and there is abundant typical gastronomy.
The month ends with the celebration of Diwali on the 27th, carpets of flowers and lights flood the streets and houses of Nepal. It is one of the most beautiful and lively parties in the country.
November and December – Guru Nanak Jayanti:
During November, Guru Nanak Jayanti takes place, one of the most important events in Nepal for the Sikh community. The followers of this religion organize evening gatherings to leave offerings in the temples and share gifts and food.
In December, however, the Tamu ethnic group celebrates its New Year, which takes place on December 30. It should be noted that Western Christmas is also celebrated in many places in Nepal.
Now you can make your trip coincide with one of the popular festivals in Nepal to enjoy all the cultural traditions of this incredible country.
Birendra Duwadi by profession a trekking and tourist guide and an enterpreur whose passion is trekking in the himalayas start Mission Himalaya Treks in 2015 with a new vision to introduce Nepal Himlayas to the world. his vision is explore and documentation new trekking routes . Birendra leads Mission Himalaya, a small company that change the qualities of trekking in Nepal.
