Archives: Festivals

Biska Jatra (Mid-April): Celebrated for nine days, Biska Jatra marks the advent of a new year according to the official solar calendar. though observed only in Bhaktapur, it is one of Nepal’s greatest festivals. The festival commemorates the death of a legendary tantric adept and his stubborn wife. During the festival the upper and lower… Continue reading Biska Jatra (बिस्काः जात्रा)

Initiated in Kathmandu during the 15th-century to console a bereaved queen, the festival sees a parade of colorful cow floats, as well as children dressed liked the sacred animal proceed around the city. All Hindu families who have lost a family member during the past one year are required to go around the prescribed route… Continue reading Gai Jatra/Saparu

Yenya Punhi (September-October): The three day festival is noted for the parade of Airavat, the elephant vehicle of Indra – King of all gods and goddess, who chases a demon that is harassing the locals with his demonic acts.

Sithi Nakha (May-June): The festival marks the day allocated for cleaning wells . Cleaning wells was made part of the religious calendar because at one time they were one of the main sources of drinking water for the populace. The palanquin of Goddess Bhagavati is taken around Taumadhi Square on this day.  

Krishnastami (August) : The festival celebrates the birth of Krishna, the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. On this day, a procession carrying palanquins decorated with images of the savior deity circumambulate Bhaktapur, stopping to worship at the city’s scattered Krishna shrines.

Nag Panchami (July-August): On this day milk is served to serpent deities and colorful portraits of snakes are pasted above doorways, all in hope of appeasing the gods and getting plenty of rain in the approaching season of paddy cultivation.

Tihar/Swonti (October-November) is celebrated for five days. Also called the ‘Festival of Lights’ for the illumination all through the five days, it prays for the good of all living beings. While the first two days sees worships of crows and dogs, the third day sees adoration of Laxmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity. The… Continue reading Tihar/Swonti

Mohani/Dashain (October) : Mohani, the greatest festival of Hindus, commemorates the victory of righteous-ness over the forces of evil.. Observed for 15 consecutive days, it sees sacrifices of he-buffaloes, he-goats and cocks, all symbolizing Mahishasur, the buffalo-headed demon, who was slain at the hand of Goddess Bhagavati . Besides the feasting and frolicking’s, the festival… Continue reading Mohani/Dashain

Janai Purnima is Sacred Thread Festival. On this day, Hindu men, especially the Brahmins and Chettris perform their annual change of Janai and all who celebrates this festival put a sacred thread around their wrist. Gosaikunda, the sacred pond in high altitude, witnesses the great celebration on this day.

Holi is a very colorful and playful festival. It is celebrated in the Kathmandu on one day, and in and tarai on the next day. People smear colored powders on their friends, relatives and family members, and throw colored water and water balloons. It’s important not to take any valuables out with you on this… Continue reading Holi

Vasanta Panchami/Shree Panchami (February): On this day devotees throng the shrines of Saraswoti, the goddess of art, learning and wisdom. For adults, it is a propitious day for commencing new ventures, and for children, it is a day for learning the first alphabets. And of course, it is also a blessed day for all those… Continue reading Shree Panchami

A Buddhist festival, it is celebrated only in Nepal and on different dates by all the three cities in the Kathmandu Valley. In Kathmandu it is observed every 12 years; in Patan every five years; and in Bhaktapur every year usually in January and for two days. The festival especially honors Dipankara Buddha who predicted… Continue reading Samyak Dan