In Nepal, the majority of the festivals are devoted to the gods and goddesses. Asking them for a long life, prosperity in agriculture, and happiness. The most exciting aspect of Nepalese festivals is the variety of delectable, festival-inspired meals that are prepared by the locals. If you are considering visiting Nepal in the near future, these are the top 10 festivals worth traveling to Nepal.
Every day is a celebration in Nepal, where people are dressed in the vivid colors of various celebrations and civilizations. A celebration that offers causes to get together and create memories with those you care about. Nepalese festivals are a cultural expression of numerous spiritual rites and rituals carried out for a variety of purposes.
Dashain
Dashain, Nepal’s longest and most auspicious festival, is observed for fifteen long days during the month of Ashwin (September to October). The event, which honors Goddess Durga, is observed by Nepalese people worldwide.
The family gets together to celebrate this event, which also involves pujas, and tasting various foods. And asking elders for blessings in the form of Tika and Jamara. The most thrilling aspect of Dashain is witnessing the vibrant kites soaring through the sky. Moreover, families enjoy a game of cards, people resplendent in their new attire, and kids and adults swinging.
The primary six days of the fifteen-day celebration are Ghatasthapana, when people plant the sacred jamara, and Kojagrata Purnima, which is a full moon worship day dedicated to the goddess of wealth and good fortune. Therefore, it is one of the top 10 festivals worth traveling to Nepal. The seventh day of the celebration, known as Fulpati, falls between the first and last days.
On this day, Brahmins go from Gorkha to Kathmandu carrying the sacred Jamara, banana stalks, and sugar cane wrapped in red fabric. The cattle are killed on the eighth day of the festival, and the family is given the meat as a snack. On the ninth day of the celebration, Maha Navami, people sacrifice animals in an effort to prevent car crashes in the upcoming year.
The tenth day, Vijaya Dashami, is the biggest festival. The family’s elders bless and place Tika on their children’s foreheads on Dashami. People go to their relatives’ homes to be with their family and to ask for blessings.
Tihar
Tihar, Nepal’s second major holiday, is a celebration of vibrant colors, lights, and lovely flowers. The event, which lasts for five days straight, pays tribute to the goddess of riches, Laxmi, and the God of death, Yama.
The first day is known as Crow Day or Kag Tihar. The Kag are revered and fed to make them happy because they are thought to be the messengers of death; this is done in the hopes that they won’t deliver any bad news to their home. Today is Kukur Tihar (Dog), the second day.
Dogs are credited in Hinduism for guiding the deceased to paradise and serving as Lord Yama’s guardian. The third day is dedicated to cow worship.
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The holy cows are thought to be one of the avatars of Goddess Lakshmi in Hindu mythology. On this day, people tidy their homes, light oil lamps, and add vibrant, colorful lighting to make them look lovely. The primary purpose of the decorations is to welcome the goddess Laxmi into their home.
Three significant festivals take place on the fourth day: Govardhan Puja, Mha Puja, and Goru Puja (oxen). This day is dedicated to the worship of oxen, Govardhan Parvat (a delicacy produced from cow dung), and Mha Puja, which is celebrated by the Newari community. On this day, which heralds the start of the New Year, people worship their spirits. Bhai Tihar is the final day of Tihar (brother).
Sisters honor their brothers on this day because of their longevity and success. Sisters use the exquisite Sapta Rangi Tika (seven colors) to adorn their brother’s head. In addition to Tika, the girls give their brothers candies, dry fruits, Sel roti, and a lot more.
Therefore, it is one of the top 10 festivals worth traveling to Nepal. With the promise to safeguard their sister for the remainder of their lives, the brothers in exchange bestow upon their sister gifts, blessings, and cash.
Children in the neighborhood play Deusi and Bhailo by visiting every home from the second to the last day of Tihar. In exchange for the presents, food, and cash that the host house offers, the children bestow blessings.
Lhosar
Lhosar, the indigenous communities’ new year, is observed three times a year. These are specifically the Tamang community’s Sonam Lhosar, which is celebrated on the first moon day of the month of Magh (March).
Tamu Lhosar, the Gurung community’s New Year, is observed on the fifteenth Poush (December/January) of each year, whereas Gyalpo Lhosar, the Tibetan community’s New Year, is observed over three days on the 29th day of the 12th month of the lunar calendar.
The locals honor the day by cooking and indulging in a variety of cuisines, spending time with friends and family, and worshiping the local gods and goddesses. People dressed in traditional clothing, singing, and dancing to traditional music, and generally enjoying the festival celebrations are visual treats.
A significant occurring event is planned for Kathmandu, Nepal. In addition, to commemorate the day, the community makes a local beer using Chhaang.
Chhath
Every year in the months of Kartik/Mangsir (October/November), Nepal celebrates Chhath Parva. During the three-day celebration, people worship the Sun God and express gratitude to him for providing life on Earth. On the first day of Chhath, people get ready for fasting and clean their kitchens. On the second day, followers fast, and in the evening, they congregate to watch the sunset along a river or pond’s edge.
After lighting lamps and singing, the devotees head back to their homes. The following day, they reenact the identical routine as they await the arrival of the sun’s first beams. Devotees give prayers and holy water as the sun rises. The worshipper cooks various delicious treats and fasts for the health and prosperity of the family members.
Teej
Every year, on the third day of the full moon in the Hindu month of Bhadrapad (August and September), Hindu women in Nepal celebrate Teej. The Hindu goddess Hartalika and Lord Shiva were married on this day in history.
Teej is a three-day celebration that begins with a feast organized by ladies who sing and dance till midnight. On the second day, ladies visit Lord Shiva-focused temples and fast for the entire day without consuming any water. While the young single females pray for a good marriage, the married women, dressed in vibrant red saris, ask for health and a long life.
Women bathe in a river with red mud on the last day of Teej in order to atone for their sins and then worship the Sapta Rishi, or Seven Saints.
Shiva Ratri
Shiva Ratri is a yearly event that commemorates Lord Shiva and is observed on the fourteenth day of a fortnight in the month of Magh (January/February). Maha Shiva Ratri is the name given to the Great Night of Shiva, on which Shiva does the Tandav, the heavenly dance.
Therefore, it is one of the top 10 festivals worth traveling to Nepal. This celebration is celebrated at night, in contrast to other festivities. The followers of Shiva wake up all night long, do prayers, fast during the day, and pay their respects at Shiva temples.
The atmosphere of the temple is packed with curious tourists as they watch Sadhus meditate and pose for pictures. Married ladies pray for their husbands’ health and longevity on this day, while single women pray for a Shiva who resembles a husband.
Following a full day of fasting, people congregate to plan a bonfire. Summer also arrives with this festivity. This celebration is lovely because of the exquisitely decorated temples, the nude Sadhus, the women dressed in red saris, and the chanting of the sacred mantras.
Holi
Hindu mythology states that the celebration dates back to Mahabharat’s era. The haughty King Hiranyakashyap is said to have forbidden people from worshiping Lord Vishnu. Nevertheless, Prahlad, who defied his father and was a devoted follower of Vishnu, adored the Lord.
That was the night of the full moon when the monarch gave his sister Holika the order to burn the prince. Nevertheless, Prahlad escaped unharmed while Holika perished in flames thanks to Lord Vishnu’s blessings above his head.
People sprayed colorful water to celebrate the triumph of virtue over evil, and ever since, Hindus all around the world have observed this day to honor goodness and detest evil. The celebration, which takes place in the months of Falgun/Chaitra (February/March), is well enjoyed.
People close their businesses on this day and give their friends and family water and color spray paint. The festival’s hub is presumably Kathmandu Durbar Square. Where attendees sing, dance, splatter each other with water and powder, and more. You feel inspired to participate in the celebration because it is so fascinating.
Indra Jatra
Indra Jatra, sometimes referred to as Yenya, is Nepal’s biggest street celebration. The eight-day celebration takes place during the month of Bhadra, which is August or September. The celebration is held in order to pray for a bountiful crop. And is dedicated to the mother-son pair, Dagini and Indra, the deity of rain.
People plan the chariot procession, dance, sing, and worship the gods and goddesses during this event. The Lakhey dancers, who don masks, perform street dances to honor the day. That God Indra visited Earth in search of a flower for his mother Dagini. Therefore, it is one of the top 10 festivals worth traveling to Nepal.
The Indra Jatra and Kumari Jatra are the two phases of the festival celebration. The construction of a 10-meter flagpole outside of Hanuman Dhoka and the display of Bhairava’s mask. Which has a furious visage, are two of the festivities surrounding Indra Jatra.
The family of the departed lights a butter lamp on the first day of Kumari Jatra in remembrance of their loved ones. People wait in line to see the stunning Newari girl who represents Goddess Taleju during the live goddess Kumari’s chariot procession.
The chariot is paraded through Kathmandu’s alleyways, trailed by the chariots of Bhairav and Ganesh. The flagpole is lowered at the conclusion of the eight-day celebration to signify its conclusion.
Buddha Jayanti
Buddha Jayanti, a significant day for both Buddhists and Hindus, commemorates the birth of Gautam Buddha, the Asian light. Observed on the full moon day of Baisakh (April/May), Buddhists remember the role that the Buddha played in bringing about world peace.
People visit Buddhist shrines, adorned with prayer flags, vibrant lights, and butter lamps, to commemorate the birth. The birthplace of Lord Buddha, Lumbini, along with other Buddhist shrines in the region, such as Boudhanath and Swayambhunath, host a significant festival.
At this event, Buddhists eat vegetarian meals and provide food and clothing to the underprivileged while monks recite prayers and sing mantras. To commemorate the day, people prepare kheer and porridge.
Tiji Festival
The Mustang region’s most vibrant celebration is the Tiji Festival. Tiji, which translates to “pray for world peace,” is a festival observed with that intention. The interesting three-day Tiji celebration, which celebrates the victory of Good over Evil and God over Demon, is filled with Tibetan rites. People sing mantras and dance while dressed traditionally during this celebration.
The Chodhey monastery is in charge of organizing the Tiji festival dances. The festival opens with a stunning performance of the “Tsa Chham” dance by monks, which tells the tale of “Dorjee-Sonam,” a Buddha who took on the appearance of a demon.
The demon’s torment of the Mustang people will be acted out by the monks. “Nga Cham” is performed on day two. The Dorjee Sonam attempts to bring the demon back to the Buddha Realm in this deed. You will become more intense during these activities because of the manner the Monks carry themselves. The monks conduct the “Rha Chham” dance on the third day of the festival. Which depicts Sonam defeating the bad demon and leaving Mustang.
Conclusion
The most vivid, exotic, and picture-perfect festivals in Nepal are those that are listed above; they are visually stunning. If you’re thinking about visiting Nepal for the first time, this might be the ideal opportunity to learn more about its distinctive and varied cultures. Plan your visit with us now, then.
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