Festivals in Nepal

Nepal is the land of festivals and there are many festivals in Nepal. Odds are you are going to see at least one of those celebrations that are vibrant and colourful. It isn't easy to predict as their exact dates are just decided a year in advance when they will be held, but to make certain to grab one September and August is jam-packed with festival fever. Listed below are.

Shivaratri (Feb/March period).

Shiva's birthday falls on the new-moon afternoon of Falgun (Nepali month). The main celebration can be understood in Pashupatinath and it is fairly a sight. Countless Sadhus arrive from all over India and Nepal to celebrate, many of them walking thousands of miles barefoot just to be at Pashupatinath. It is also the one day when hashish is legal in Nepal, therefore walking around these temples may provide you quite a high! In my experience, I must state

Holi

Holi is Nepal's most colourful festival, also referred to as the Festival of Colours or Fagu. It falls on the full-moon afternoon in the month of Falgun. Water is wrapped about soon to arrive. However, don't wear clothes which you're especially fond of in this day because the water is generally coloured with Tikka (and red seems to be the favourite!). If you want to play with, but keep an eye over as the locals often set up camp in their rooftop and bombard you if you're brave enough to leave your resort you will get fun!

Bisket Jatra (April-May).

Nepali New Year begins in mid-April. Even the Bisket chariot festival is a great way to see in and is said to be one of the most exciting events in the valley. To have a real feel for this festival that the best place to be is Bhaktapur. For this festival I would recommend heading to Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha (though if this is a little from the way Swayambhunath (the Monkey temple), Bodhnath and Patan are also put on a good show for this festival.) The highlight of this party is the colourful Monk dances.

Gai Jatra (Aug/Sept period)

The Cow festival is among the hottest in Nepal. Cows are led through the streets with this day and you see boys dressed as cows! Newars believe that when you die they will be guided by cows to Yama. And if you're lucky enough to be holding onto a cows tail, this journey is going to be made easier. Just like most of the festivals, to get a feel for it you should go to one of the Durbar Squares, either Kathmandu, Patan or Bhaktapur.

Teej (Aug-Sept period )

The girl's festival. To become very involved in this festival I'd recommend spending Teej's major day at one of those Durbar Squares. The whole place will develop into a sea of saris. This festival combines feasting and fasting! The women pray for bliss, the wellbeing of children and the spouses and purification of their souls. On one of the days, the girls are expected to bath their husband's feet and then drink the water!

Indra Jatra (Aug-Sept time)

The festival is named after Lord Indra who is known as heaven's king and also as a god of rainfall. This festival has 8 days of singing, dance and feasting. On the next day of the festival that the Kumari (the living goddess) is taken around the capital at a chariot.