Festival Calendar in Nepal

It is said about Nepal that every other structure is a holy shine and every other day a festival. Well, if the number of annual festivals, both religious and national, is any indication, the saying could not be more true. Festivals are an essential part of Nepalese life that garners tremendous local participation. Festivals also offer visitors a valuable opportunity not only for having fun but gaining insight into various aspects of Nepalese culture. The religious festival follows the lunar calendar, while national festivals have fixed dates. Wherever or whenever you arrive in Nepal, you can be pretty sure of being at the right time for one or more special events. Some of the major and interesting festivals are presented below.

Navavarsha (April): The Nepalese New Year's day usally falls in the second week of april. I.e. The first day of Baishak. The day is observed as a national holiday. The people celebrate it with a great pomp and show. On the occasion, bisket Jatra is held in the city of Bhaktapur.

Baisakh Poornima (April): As Nepal is the birthplace of Lord Buddha, the Light of Asia, the triple anniversary of the buddha's birth, enlightenment and death is observed with many colorful ceremonies on this day. People celebrate the occasion with great veneration paying homage to Buddha at places like Swayambhunath, Bouddhanath and Lumbini.

Red Machchhendranath Rath Jatra (May – June): This festival is the biggest socio-cultural event of Patan. The wheeled Chariot of a deity known as Bungdyo or Red Machchhendranath is made at pulchowk and dragged through the city of Patan in several stages till it reaches the appointed destination (Lagankhel). The grand finite of the festival is the "Bhoto Dhekhaune" or in the English "Showing of a vest". A similar kind of chariot festival to Machchendranath (White) is also held in Kathmandu city in the month of March- April.

Dumji: it is celebrated in all the Sherpas settlements in the month of July. The Sherpas of Kahtmandu and Helambu regions participate in dancing on this day.

Gaijatra (Cow Festival): (July – August) it is a carnival that lasts eight days. Dancing, Singing, Comedy and anything that causes mirth and laughter are its highlights.

Krishnastami (July – August): it marks the birthday of lord kroshna. On this Day, Impressive ceremonies are conducted at the Krishna Temple in Patan and at Changu Narayan.

IndraJatra (august- September): The festival of Indra, the god of Rain, is observed with great enthusiasm in Kathmandu Valley. The festival lasts for eight days. The chariot of kumari, the living Goddess, is taken out in procession through the main streets of Kathmandu. The festival is specially noted for the echoes of drums and dancing feet of the masked dancers almost every evening.

Dashain or Durga Puja (September – October): The dashain festival is the most important festival of the Nepalese. The entire country is in enthusiastic holiday mood at the time of the festival.

Tihar (Deepawali) (October- November): known as the festival of lights, Tihar is celebrated for five days, Houses are illuminated at night and special sweets of different varieties are prepared.

Constitution Day: The new Democratic Constitution of the kingdom Nepal was promulgated on November 9, 1990. Since then, this day is observed as the Constitution Day.

Vibhaha Panchami (November – December): this is a famous festival of janakpur in the eastern part of terai. The occasion commemorates the marriage of Sita to Ram, one of the most venerated Hindu divinities. It attracts thousands of pilgrims from India to Janaki Temple in Janakpur.

Birth Day of His Majesty King: the auspicious birthday of His Majesty King Ganendra Bir Bikram Shahdev falls on july 6/7 (Ashar 23). This occasion is celebrated with great enthusiasm all over the kingdom.

Prithivi Jayanti: This occasion is celebrated in honor of King Prithivi Narayan Shah, the founder of modern Nepal, with a colorful ceremony in front of the singha Darbur gate in Kathmandu on January 10/11 (Poush 27th).

Lhosar: The Sherpas most impressively observe this festival Lhosar in the month of February. They organize folk songs and dances on this occasion. These dances can be seen in Khumbu, Helambu, and other Northern regions of Nepal also at Bouddhanath in Kathmandu.

National Democracy Day: This day is officially observed as Rastriya Parjatantra Divas or National Democracy Day as a mark of respect to the people's Revolution of 1950-51. It generally falls on February 18, i.e. Phalgun 7.

Maha Shivaratri (February): Shivaratri or the Night of Lord Shiva is observed in February-March. It is celebrated in honor of lord Shiva. A great religious fair takes place in the Pashupatinath Temple and thousands of people from all over Nepal and India flock the Temple to worship Lord Shiva.

Ghodejatra (March – April): Known as the festival of horses, it is one most exciting festivals of Kathmandu. Horse race and other sports take place at Tundikhel on this day. In other parts of the city, various deities are carried shoulder high on Palanquin to the accompaniment of traditional music.

Teej (August- September): Teej is a hindu festival celebrated by women. Dancing, folk song and the red colour of women's weeding saris dominate the days of Teej. Women observe a fast and flock to Shiva temples where unmarried ones pray for a happy conjugal life and unmarried ones for a good husband.

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