Famous festivals of Nepal an enjoyable and fun to observe as well taking part in various joyous events that take nearly all-around months of the year.
A country of world highest mountains with dramatic landscapes and high-green hills to deep valleys and ravine that extends further down to low and warm flat-land of Terai belt.
The amazing and wonderful Himalayan country makes Nepal one of the best scenic paradises for wide-world travelers and visitors to soak into its lively colorful cultures with various festivals celebration throughout Nepal.
Nepal’s famous festivals an interesting and impressive event to observe where one can find one of the few countries with more than 60 ethnic groups and 70 native spoken languages.
Certainly, a great special place where various festivals take place, great delight and exciting events to capture of great moments, travelers visiting Nepal can enjoy the festival at the right time and season-wise, to witness the colorful festival around the main city of Kathmandu and beyond.
Nepal the Land of Festivals
Nepal not only famous as the country of high Himalayan and mountains; it is also the land of varied colorful festivals, where more than fifty festivals celebrated all around Nepal every year.
While main national festivals have fixed dates, religious festivals are set by astrologers following Hindu or Buddhist lunar calendar, the best thing to know about Nepal famous festivals, is that all events are celebrated with the same enthusiasm and galore.
As it was for hundreds of centuries and years ago where people had no other means of entertainment and the festival event was the main highlight of Nepalese simple traditional and heritage way of life.
Nepalese Rich Traditions and Religions
Religious practices and traditional culture go hand in hand as well as an important part of Nepalese life.
Mythologies of various different Hindu gods and goddesses abound around the country, where cultural values are based on ancient philosophies of holy books, which is important to know for all visitors to Nepal and to respect the pristine natural environment and mountain spirits as part of the culture.
Famous Festivals of Nepal
Nepal famous festival with various tribes from warm low southern Terai to green mid-hill villages and around high Himalaya Mountains where festivals are of their own type as per the culture and religion-wise and events of various new year celebration or anniversary of gods and deities.
Where festival can be divided into two main religions of the country Hindu and Buddhism, where the main 60 % population of Nepal is Hindu with 35 % Buddhist and 5% other minor religions of Christian to Islamic and Sikh.
Hindu Festivals in Nepal
Nepalese New Year observed in a grand way which also the festival of great Bisket Jatra of Bhaktapur which is interesting to observe along with Nepalese New Year known as B.S (Bikram Sambat) which happens during the Christian calendar year on April 14 / 15 2018 and Nepalese 2076 New Year day.
A difference of 57 years and ahead than the international / Christian calendar started during the time of the Lichhiva period era in Nepal.
Teej festival for women
Around the end of August and 4-5th months of Nepalese calendar
Fasting festival of women in Nepal. Married women observe Teej fast to honor Lord Shiva and for the long and healthy life of their husband, the unmarried girl also observes fast on this day for a good husband. Teej celebration lasts for three pious days.
Traditional dances and songs are performed as the main feature of Teej celebrations. The red color is considered auspicious for women observing Teej fast and so most of them dress up in red or bridal clothes.
The Biggest Hindus festival Dashain
The main Hindu festival celebrated throughout the country makes as the national festival of Dasain the longest and prime festival of Nepal.
Everyone stays home with their families, the skies are filled with colorful kites and the marketplaces filled with farmers bringing goats, buffaloes, ducks, and chickens to sell.
The animals are sacrificed in the night of ‘Kal Ratri’ to goddess Durga to celebrate victory over evil, on this day of Dasami, everyone wears brand new clothes and visits their family elders for blessings, where they received large red ‘Tika’ of vermilion paste on their foreheads. In the following days of Dasain, families, and friends unite, feasts are consumed, the blessing is imparted and gifts are exchanged. Nepal’s most beloved festival ends with the full moon.
Tihar/Deepawali (festival of lights)
Nepal’s second big and main festival of Hindu also known as the festival of lights, on different days, offerings and celebrations for crows, dogs, cows, and oxen.
On the night of Laxmi Puja (the darkest night of the season), where marigold garlands hung and lamps are lighted to invite the goddess Laxmi of wealth and fortune, Tihar and Laxmi Puja it means Festival of Lights- Worship of Goddess of Wealth celebrate with great pomp and grandeur all over the Kingdom of Nepal.
The last day of Tihar is a big day called Bhai Tika festival where sisters mark their brothers’ forehead with Tika, garland, sweets and pray for their long life and prosperity.
Other main festivals are Magh Sankranti, falls in winter times of January, where all Nepalese celebrates specially Tharu tribes of low warm Terai area which are their main events, as well for hill Magar People also.
Eating underground roots like sweet potatoes and Yam is the main food of the festival celebration along with other luxury meals includes drinks, dance, and merriment.
Other religious festivals and events celebrated with great enjoyment like the birth anniversary of Lord Buddha in May, with Shiva in February and so on.
Buddhist and Mountain Festivals
Buddha Jayanti
Buddha was born in Nepal, and religion is preached as second most popular in Nepal, on full moon day, Lord’s birth, Enlightenment, salvation are applauded throughout the valley with celebrations.
Swayambhunath and Bouddhanath Stupas are prepared for the oncoming festivities several days in advance.
Losar falls
Losar means New Year in the Tibetan language celebrated by various for different hill and mountain tribes of Sherpa-Tamang and Gurung with Manang-Dolpo and Loba of Mustang area.
Other Mountain Festival is famous Mani Rimdu around the Everest region including Everest Base Camp Trek during the month of October / November as per Buddhist Luna calendar, similarly, Tije is another important festival that takes place in high Mustang areas around the month of April and May.
