festivals
Seto (white) Machhendranath Festival
Date: March 23, 2010 to March 26, 2010 Location: Kathmandu (starts from Teen Dhara Pathshala, Jamal and moves around the Kathmandu Durbar Square and surrounding areas) In this festival, a wooden chariot containing a white mask of god Machhendranath is pulled through the narrow lanes of Kathmandu city for four days starting from Chaite Dasain [...]
Fathers’ Day
Date: September 8, 2010 Venue: All over the country, especially in Matatirtha (near Thankot), Kathmandu This event is celebrated to thank fathers for their role in the upbringing of the children. Special rituals are held in Matatirtha, Kathmandu for the parents who have passed away. Children visit their parents and provide sweets, clothes and their [...]
Chhath Festival
Date: October 24 – 25, 2009 Venue: Ponds and river banks in the south eastern part of the country; Bagmati River bank in Thapathali and Rani Pokhari in Ratnapark in Kathmandu This four day long festival is dedicated to the Sun god. People also worship the Chhathi Devi – from whose name the festival is [...]
Newari New Year
It is the start of the Newari calender and the fourth day of Tihar. It is believed that the calendar started from Kathmandu valley during the middle ages. On this day, people from Newar community perform ‘Maha Puja’, worshipping the self. In other parts of the country, oxen are worshipped. People also celebrate the festival [...]
Bhai Tika
Bhai Tika is the final day of Tihar. It is the day that celebrates the brotherly and sisterly love. On Bhai Tika, sisters recall the myth of Jamuna who tricked Yamaraj into postponing her brother’s death indefinitely, by blessing their brothers and giving them tika, garlands and sweets. Brothers in return give their sisters gifts [...]
Laxmi Puja
It is the third day of Tihar. Tihar is a festival of lights. It is celebrated for five days, starting two days before the new moon. This festival is associated with Yamaraj, the God of Death and Laxmi, the Goddess of Wealth. On Laxmi Puja, cows are honored with flower garlands, both as a symbol [...]
Fulpati
Date: October 14, 2010 Venue: All over Nepal, especially the Durga Temples It is the seventh day of Dasain. Dasain is Nepal’s biggest annual festival. It is celebrated for fifteen days starting from the new moon of Asoj (September or October). Also known as Durga Puja or Dashera, this festival marks the victory of goddess [...]
Nawami
Date: October 16, 2009 Venue: All over Nepal especially the Durga temples It is the ninth day of Dasain. Dasain is Nepal’s biggest annual festival. It is celebrated for fifteen days starting from the new moon of Asoj (September or October). Also known as Durga Puja or Dashera, this festival marks the victory of goddess [...]
Astami
Date: October 15, 2010 Venue: All over Nepal especially the Durga temples Astami is the eight day of Dasain. Dasain is Nepal’s biggest annual festival. It is celebrated for fifteen days starting from the new moon of Asoj (September or October). Also known as Durga Puja or Dashera, this festival marks the victory of goddess [...]
Bijaya Dashami
Date: October 17, 2009 Venue: All over Nepal It is the tenth day of dasain. Dasain is Nepal’s biggest annual festival. It is celebrated for fifteen days starting from the new moon of Asoj (September or October). Also known as Durga Puja or Dashera, this festival marks the victory of goddess Durga over the demon [...]