Festivals of Nepal
Nepalese festivals abound and rarely does a two week period go by when businesses are not closed due to holiday. This has been frustrating for climbing teams in the past, for seemingly without a moment’s notice, Kathmandu will shut down due to some festival or holy day. Festival dates are not based on a fixed calendar, but rather are determined through a combination of lunar and religious calendars.
Festivals tend to be religious in nature. Nepal and Tibet share intertwined histories and rituals. As Buddhism took over the Po animistic religion, many remnants of animism have been incorporated into present day worship. So Tibetan Buddhism, with its vestiges of Bon Shamanism had has significant impact on Nepalese practices. Superstitions and animistic beliefs, or awareness that spirits inhabit the physical world permeate the more formal religions.
Following is a list of some of some the more important holidays in Nepal.
Nawabarsa
Nepalese New Year (please note difference between Lhosar, the Tibetan and
Sherpa New Year)
Aama Ko Mukh Herne Din
Mother’s Day - literally Mother’s Face Looking Day
Gokarna Aunsi
Nepalese Father’s Day
Rate Machhendranath
Festival of Lokeswar, one of the patron gods of Kathmandu.
40 foot tall chariots are pulled through the streets
Buddha Jyanthi
Celebrates the birth of the Buddha
Gunla
Buddhist Lent or Ramadan-like holy month of penance and pilgrimage
climax in celebration
Naga Panchami
Festival devoted to the snake gods, who most Nepalese believe ruled the valley,
before the coming of people
Gai Jatra
Festival of the sacred cow - celebrated in a fun spirited Carnival like manner.
With lots of
practical joking. Some have deemed it a combination of Mardi Gras and April
Fools Day
Kartik
Festival to worship various animals and gods. Takes place during Oct-Nov.
Indra Jatra
KTM festival celebrating the legendary capture of Indra, King of the Gods in
the
Kathmandu valley. This week-long festival is celebrated with processions, street
dances,
and the annual blessing of the King by the living Goddess in KTM.
Dasain
Festival of Durga, the Hindu goddess of destruction
Diwali
Festival of Lights, celebrated throughout Nepal and India. It is also the time
to honor the
Hindu goddess Laxmi. Laxmi is the goddess of wealth and prosperity.
Lhosar
Tibetan and Sherpa New Year
Holi
Festival of colors. Kids run through the streets with colored power with
which they
proceed to douse every passerby. A grand free-for-all.
Magha
Celebrates the arrival of spring. Takes place between Jan-Feb on the western
calendar.