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Teej Festival : Festival of Hindu Women

Teej Festival : Background

Nepa is a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and multi-religious nation. People of various cultures and ethnicity reside inside Nepal. Feasts, festivals, and social celebrations are the most important cultural assets of Nepal. Because of religious and social diversities in Nepal, various festivals and celebrations are enjoyed in Nepal with great joy and jubilation. Dashain, Tihar, Chhath, Teej, Lhosar, etc. are some important festivals of Nepalese society.

Among these festivals, Teej is one of the biggest festivals of Hindus and purely a Women’s festival celebrated in Nepal and North India. It is the festival that women celebrate for their prosperous marital life and long life of the husband. According to the Nepali calendar, the Teej festival is generally celebrated on the third day of Bhadra Shukla Paksha which generally falls in early September or late August. It is three days long festival celebrated to welcome the Monsoon season. Teej is the monsoon festival celebrated in the western and Northern and Western states of India and Nepal.

The literal meaning of the word ‘Teej’ is a kind of insect, red in color that comes out of the soil during the rainy season. It is believed that the name of the festival came from the same insect and that’s why the Teej festival is the celebration with the color red. It is the festival that is dedicated to the nature of Gods and Goddess Lord Shiva and Parvati. Moreover, the Teej festival remarks on the celebration for nature, greeneries, rain and much more. This festival commonly involves eating a delicious feast, taking fasting for the day, singing, dancing and much more.

The first day of Teej is often referred to as “Dar Khane Din”. On this day, both married and unmarried women gather at one place on their finest dresses and jewelry (Swara singhar). The grand feast takes place in the evening time. Women enjoy delicious food items called “dar”. The term “dar” is often referred to as heavy or more foods that women are supposed to have the day before of the fasting. Moreover, the celebration also involves dancing and singing on Nepali folk and devotional songs. It is the day when women have full freedom of expression and they enjoy forgetting all their sorrows and problems.

The Second Day

The second day is the most important day of the festival, called the fasting day. On this day, women take fasting until midnight. Both married and unmarried women observe the fasting on the day. Some women take rigid fasting without even taking fruits and a single drop of water whereas some of them take the fruits or water.

On the day, women present themselves in red saris with other beautiful pieces of jewelry and visit the nearby temple of Lord Shiva and enjoy by singing, dancing with others. They offer fruits, flowers to Lord Shiva and Parbati in the temple for their blessings. Married women observe the fast for the prosperity, long life of their husband and progress of family whereas unmarried women take the fast for getting blessed with a good husband. Another important part of this day is the burning of the oil lamp throughout the night by which it is believed to bring happiness in the family.

On the third day morning, women get up early, take the bath and perform the puja to Diyo with banana and holy basil. After the completion of pooja, they break their fast taking solid food. This day is also known as Ganesh Chaturthi. Rishi Panchami The Panchami is mainly devoted to cleaning the body with red mud on sacred Datiwan bush, along with its leaves, in the rivers for any sin or impurity the women folks may have committed during the previous year.

On this day, women worship the seven Rishis in reminiscence of the high ascetic tradition of Hinduism and a notion of purity of descent in their lineage from the ancestral Rishis. Teej is the greatest festival of joy for every woman. Women of every part of Nepal celebrate this festival taking the fast, enjoying by dancing singing and much more. Moreover, married women are invited to the home by their parents for the meal(dar). Women are seen in red saris and valuable ornaments both inside and outside of the valley. Hence, the Teej festival is regarded as the festival of women that brings joy and strengthens the bond between women, husband as well as her family.

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The 12 Major Festivals in Nepal

Local festivals have become major festivals in Nepal because of the over 125 different ethnic groups and 123 different languages that all coexist peacefully there. This is true since each ethnic group has unique holidays and celebrations, which are now observed nationally.

The Nepali festivals listed below are some of the most well-known and should not be missed by visitors to Nepal while they are there at the appropriate time. Please be aware that Nepal uses the lunar calendar, often known as the Bikram Sambat (BS), instead of the Gregorian calendar; at the moment, Nepal is in the year 207 BS. As a result, the dates for each event change annually.

The 12 Major Festivals In Nepal

Dashain festival.

Dashain is the first festival that any Nepali thinks of when discussing national holidays. One of the most well-known festivals in Nepal is Dashain. Which is observed for 10 days overall but is only officially observed for 5 days.

Although the Dashain Festival is observed for ten days, the main festivities begin on the sixth day. The Durga Pooja holiday, which is well-known in India and other Hindu-populated places, is another name for this holiday, which is mostly celebrated by the goddess Durga.

The Dashain Festival or Durga Pooja has its own history and legends, but the major goals of the festival are good triumphing over evil, the truth over falsehood, and the Gods over demons. As Durga is revered as a courageous, mighty, and ever-loving goddess, she is worshiped throughout the festival at every temple and home. So, Dashain is the major Festival of Nepal. 

In Nepal, people sacrifice animals in their homes and temples, and the blood is spilled on goddess idols to appease them (there is a mythical story associated with animal sacrifice).

On the last day of the Dashain celebration, people seek blessings from elders, parents, and relatives while wearing tika, a decoration consisting primarily of rice, curd, and red powder that represents strength, bravery, protection, and devotion.

From the sixth day to the ninth day, the entire family comes together. After that, they travel to the homes of their relatives and in-laws to receive blessings. Which lasts for an additional several days.

Tihar Festival

Deepawali Festival is another name for the Tihar Festival. After Dashain, Tihar is the second-largest and most well-known celebration in Nepal. The five-day Tihar festival includes the brothers and sisters festival as well as the dog festival, crow festival, cow and ox festival, and festival of the crows.

The celebration of Tihar is also referred to as “the festival of lights” since each home is exquisitely decorated with lights and lamps throughout the course of five days, with the last day reserved for the tika-placing by brothers and sisters. Tihar is yet another major festival in Nepal. 

As a result, on the last day of the brothers and sisters celebration, sisters place a tika over their brother’s forehead and vice versa, and they wish one another a long, healthy life as well as prosperity. 

In exchange, brothers agree to support a sister in her hour of need, uphold their love, and come to the Tihar Festival every year to receive blessings regardless of where they are.

Gifts are also exchanged, and the sister prepares and serves the family members delectable traditional Nepali food.

Holi Festival

Another significant holiday in Nepal is Holi , also referred to as the festival of colors. While Holi is observed on one day across the country. In Nepal, it is observed separately on alternate days in the Hilly and Terai regions. It is an outdoor festival because people congregate all over, visit friends and family, and paint each other with various colors.

Even the toughest enemies are said to become buddies starting on the day of the Holi celebration. Because this festival is also celebrated to exchange love. Furthermore, many Nepali youth enjoy celebrating this major festival of Nepal. 

In addition to this, the Holi festival commemorates the triumph of good over evil. This celebration is based on a legend from the revered Hindu classic Vishnu Purana.

Buddha Jayanti

One of the most widely observed holidays, Buddha Jayanti or Buddha Purnima, commemorates the birth of Lord Buddha, the founder of Buddhism and the “messenger of peace,” as well as the day he reached enlightenment and Nirvana (death). For devotees of Buddhism, today is Buddha Jayanti, an important holiday.

Although the majority of Nepalis practice Hinduism, Buddha is also considered one of Lord Vishnu’s eighth incarnations. Buddha Jayanti is a national holiday in Nepal. Moreover, many Buddhists celebrate this major festival in Nepal. 

People visit monasteries, gumba, and Buddhist shrines to offer their regard and be thankful to Lord Buddha, for the principle he propounded. Historical sites in Nepal like Lumbini (the birthplace of Lord Buddha), Swayambhunath, Boudhanath, Patan areas, etc. remain busy with devotees.

Apart from these devotees also visit monasteries and shrines and offer gifts to monks and needy people.

Indra Jatra

Indra Jatra is a well-known celebration in the Kathmandu Valley, primarily celebrated by the Newari Community but now celebrated all throughout the country with the valley serving as its epicenter.

This Jatra, also known as Basantapur or Kathmandu Durbar Square, is an eight-day festival that begins with the erection of a wooden pole from a pine tree in the city’s center. However, the first day is one that is fully observed. Moreover, this major 

During the occasion, hundreds of worshippers and residents congregate in the Basantapur region, along with senior government figures like the head of state. Devotees crowd out to receive her blessing as the chariot of living goddesses KUMARI is paraded along the main street. This is also the opportunity for onlookers to have a close-up view of the Kumari and take pictures of her.

Another one-day Hindu holiday, Ram Navami, is mostly observed by Hindu communities in Nepal, India, and other countries. Ram Navami commemorates the day that Lord Ram, the seventh manifestation of Lord Vishnu, was born to King Dasharatha and Queen Kaushalya in the Indian city of Ayodhya during the Solar Dynasty.

Ram Navami is observed with tremendous excitement and adoration in honor of Lord Ram, who is revered as “Maryada Purushottam,” a representation of the “Perfect Man,” for his devotion to his family, country, brothers, and bride Sita. Moreover, many Hindus celebrate this major festival in Nepal. 

On this day, devotees go to the Lord Ram temple to seek his favor. They also clean their homes and decorate their Lord Ram, Sita, and Laxman idols with lovely colors and flowers.

Teej Festival

Ram Navami is observed with tremendous excitement and adoration in honor of Lord Ram, who is revered as “Maryada Purushottam,” a representation of the “Perfect Man,” for his devotion to his family, country, brothers, and bride Sita.

In addition, they observe a three-day fast, go to the temple of Lord Shiva, and undertake ritual ceremonies for the long life of their husbands, children, and other family members as well as for single women. 

The purpose of Teej is to seek Lord Shiva’s blessing for a happy future marriage and good family relationships. Married women dress in red sarees, whereas unmarried girls dress in various styles.

Janai Purnima

Another one-day holiday, Rakshya Bandhan of Rakhi festival, is called Janai Purnima in Nepal. People attend temples early in the morning on this unique occasion, wrapping a holy thread around their wrists, and visiting their sisters to present them with colorful Rakhi. Similarly, this is also one of the major festivals of Nepal.

Brothers swear to protect their sisters in all circumstances, and sisters bestow good fortune, wealth, and long lives on their brothers. They also trade gifts.

Another well-liked event in the Kathmandu Valley is the Gai Jatra, which was once famous just among the Newari people but is now well-known among other groups. Around the year 170 AD, King Pratap Malla established the Gai Jatra event to help his Queen recover from the loss of their son.

People from every house enter the street in disguise to demonstrate their love and respect for the departed soul during this Gai Jatra festival, which is today observed in memory of their loved one.

Bisket Jatra

An annual event called Bisket Jatra lasts for a week in Dhapasi, Thimi, Bhaktapur, Tokha, and other locations in Nepal. On April 14th, it is celebrated and lasts for nine days. Its main draw is powering newly constructed chariots.

The two chariots in Jatra stand for the angry god Bhairav and the goddess Bhadrakali. However, due to variations in astronomical positions and the lunar calendar, the time fluctuates.

The “Festival after the Death of the Serpent” is another name for Bisket Jatra. In an effort to avoid future difficulties and disasters, the people present food and pray. Thimi also has a “tongue piercing festival” where people pierce their tongues for religious reasons.

Maghe Sankranti

Around mid-January or the first day of Magh, is when Maghe Sankranti occurs. Hindus assemble with their families to share meals and take ceremonial baths in the sacred river. The cuisine is unique on this auspicious day. Sweet potato, sesame seed laddus, ghee, yam, and molasses are all on the menu of Nepalese cuisine.

The first day of Magh is also known as Maghi, or their New Year, by the Tharu population in the Terai region. They participate in community get-togethers with family and friends, wear traditional Tharu attire, and enjoy themselves over the entire week. If you are in the Terai area, you must never miss Maghi.

In some villages in Nepal, Lhosar is the time to celebrate the new year. Unlike other festivals, Lhosar is observed at various periods by the Gurung, Tamang, and Sherpa cultural communities. The celebration is primarily observed by the Tamu (Gurung), Tamang, and Sherpa groups of Lhosar. Similarly, many gurung community people celebrate this Major Festival in Nepal. 

“Sar” means “new” and “Lho” means “year”. The term “Lhosar” denotes the start of a new year or an era. People come to sing, dance, and enjoy great feasts while wishing each other well and donning their traditional attire. 

The Mud Festival in Nepal:

The Nepalese celebrate this incredible mud celebration on Ashad 15. Mud Festival falls during the monsoon and marks the beginning of the rice-planting season. “Is playing in the dirt okay?” If you’re wondering, I’ll tell you that playing in the mud is beneficial.

This fosters creativity, improves fine motor skills, sharpens the senses, and develops leadership and direction-following abilities. Additionally, it will encourage interaction with nature, compromise, cooperation, and sharing.

The country of agriculture is Nepal. Despite this, there are still many areas of Nepal without rice-planting contemporary technology. While singing and dancing to “Ropai songs” and eating Dahi-Chiura (curd and beaten rice), local alcoholic beverages (as preferred), fruits, pickles, and other foods, the men plow fields while the ladies plant the rice seedlings.

The joy of field plowing produces the splashing of mud. A genuine Nepali festival is created by the singing of regional music, which imbues the atmosphere with magic. You can take part in this incredible festival in Nepal. If you are traveling there in late July when the monsoon season begins.

FAQs for Major Festivals in Nepal

What is the major festival of nepal .

Ans: For Nepalis, Dashain is the most important holiday. They all celebrate Dashain equally, regardless of caste or religion. Buddhists respect it as well. Throughout the months of October, it is observed for 11 straight days.

How many festivals are mostly celebrated in Nepal?

Nepal is known as the “Land of Festivals,” with celebrations taking place in at least one region practically every day of the year. Every year, Nepal celebrates more than 50 festivals. While national holidays in Nepal have specific dates, religious holidays are determined by astrologers using the lunar calendar.

What are the Hindu festivals in Nepal?

Dashain, Tihar, Chhath, Bala Chaturdashi, Teej, Maha Shivaratri, Krishna Janmashtami, Buddha Jayanti, Losar, and Makar Sankranti are a few of the main celebrations in Nepal.

What is the five-day festival in Nepal?

The five-day festival of lights called Tihar commemorates Laxmi, -“the Goddess of Wealth”, while Yama, “the God of Death”, is also honored throughout the celebrations.

The Yama informant is worshiped on the first day of Kaag Tihar, which is also known as the “day of the crow.”

What is the religious festival in Nepal?

One of the most revered religious holidays in Nepal is Mahashivaratri. At Nepal’s renowned Pashupatinath Temple and other Shiva temples across the nation, Mahashivaratri is observed. For the event, thousands of pilgrims visit Pashupatinath. During the occasion, worship is offered to the god Shiva.

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The Dashain festival of Nepal: Its past, present and future

Jiba raj pokharel.

The national festival of Nepal, Dashain, has now folded into the pages of history. Every year, it triggers Nepalis into motion to different places inside the country. This year, more than a million people are said to have moved outside from Kathmandu, the capital city, to other cities and villages. Not all of them have now returned as quite a few of them remain to celebrate yet another festival, Tihar, which is just a fortnight away. It is during Dashain that the family members meet, some, after a long time. Especially, on the tenth day, or Vijaya Dashami, people visit their senior relatives seeking blessings for health and happiness.

One has to delve considerably back to the history in order to understand the present form of Dashain.

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People throng new bus park to go home for dashain festival, into the 'other' world: an anthropologist's journey.

Early humans used to hover around alone but later began to live in families. Gradually, they developed into a community, society and a country. They collaborated with one another but also had confrontations. The later would lead to fights and even wars. These would result after injustice meted to one by the other.

The injustice was portrayed as evil, and there was a belief that good would prevail over the evil.

Two of the largest wars in the Ramayana and the Mahabharata episodes were stark examples of the battle of the good against the evil.

Ram fought a victorious war against Ravana because the later kidnapped Sita, the consort of Ram.

Ram was thus the icon of good and Ravana that of evil.

Similarly, the Mahabharata war was also waged for the defeat of evil. The Kauravs consisting of a hundred brothers were labeled as evil as its elder brother Duryodhan tried to strip the daughter-in-law Draupadi naked in the assembly.

At the end of the war, the Kauravs were killed one after another by the Pandavs, the five brothers.

In order to secure the victory, energy was required, which was drawn by paying homage to the Gods. Ram is believed to have worshipped at the Rameswaram Temple before crossing over to Lanka for war. He is believed to have sent Hanuman to bring the Shiva Linga from Benaras, but there was a delay in the arrival of Hanuman.

He made a Shiva Linga out of sand and paid homage to it.

Similarly, Ravan also is said to have revered Shiva, but as he was a wrong-doer, the blessing of Shiva fell on the epitome of truth, Ram, and not on the eviler Ravan.

Dashain is thus observed in the memory of the conquest of the good over evil, the victory of Ram over Ravan.

The male domination, however, slowly drifted to the female arena with the emergence of several Mother Goddesses in places where the dead body of Sati Devi, the consort of Mahadev, disintegrated into several bits and pieces.

The Mother Goddess, Bhagawati in the guise of Mahishmardini Durga, started being venerated for drawing strength required for achievement and accomplishment in daily life as she was instrumental in killing the demons mounted on water buffaloes,who tormented the Gods and hence the name, Mahishmardini.

This word of mouth or Sruti culture can be seen to have taken physical form during the time of the Licchavis who ruled Nepal till the ninth century. Consequently, a Bhagwati image was installed in Palanchok, also known as Palanchok Bhagwati, a multi-handed Goddess holding arrows and piercing through the heart of the demons.

The inscription existing in the temple premise of the year 503 describes how such an image of Vijayeswori Devi was installed by the consort of Samrat Grihapati,Bijayaswamini during the reign of King Mandev.

In India, this fable seems to have received iconic form by the time of the Gupta period who ruled from the fourth to the sixth century.

The image of Palanchok Bhagwati was so beautiful that the two fingers of the sculptor were chopped off in order to ensure that he did not make any better images in the future. But he contrived the image of Bhagwati at Nala, for which he had to lose his right hand. Even then he assembled the image at Sobha Bhagwati, and for this, his left hand suffered the same fate. Even without both the hands, he was successful increating the image of Bhagwati at Naxal.

It is not only in the east that such incidents took place. Even in the west, the Norman architect, Lanfrey, was beheaded after he designed the castle of Irvy in the year 1094. King Harsha Dev, the father of King Shiba Dev, was ruling in Nepal during this time.

Because of such an interesting past, the Dashain is being celebrated with increasing fervour in the present. People spend money lavishly for decorating their houses, putting on good clothes and eating delicious food. It also contributes to the economy of the country. It is said that about 100 billion rupees are spent during the festival, which isa little more than 2 per cent of its Rs 43 trillion economy.

Dashain has also been combining the heart and mind of the people practising diverse religions in Nepal.

The glaring example is the exchange of good wishes by Muslim priests and civil leaders with Hindus during the festivalin Nepalgunj.

It restored the cordial relation existing between the two communities when it had been dampened by a recent inter-religious disturbance.

It will be further strengthened by the reciprocation of wishes by the Hindus during the forthcoming Islamic festivals to their Islamic brothers and sisters.

The future, however, appears dimming due to shrinking economy of the country. Even this year, people are reported to have bought lesser goods compared to last year. Due to the flight of young people abroad, the country is left with only senior citizens. It has led to a decline in agricultural and industrial production.

People of lower economic status have been experiencing difficulty in celebrating it with the desired pomp and pleasure.

The future, however, appears dimming due to the shrinking economy of the country. Due to the flight of young people abroad, the country is left with only senior citizens. It has led to a decline in agricultural and industrial production

A version of this article appears in the print on October 31, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.

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Celebrate the Vibrant Festivals of Nepal | Discover Nepal’s Cultural Traditions

Nepal is a land of vibrant and colorful festivals that reflect the cultural diversity and religious fervor of its people. The country’s calendar is adorned with numerous festivals celebrated throughout the year, each with its own unique customs, rituals, and significance. From religious festivals rooted in Hinduism and Buddhism to cultural festivals highlighting the traditions of various ethnic groups, Nepal offers a rich tapestry of festive celebrations that captivate both locals and visitors alike.

One of the most prominent festivals in Nepal is Dashain, a grand Hindu festival that lasts for 15 days. It celebrates the victory of good over evil and is marked by the worship of goddess Durga, intricate rituals, vibrant processions, and the flying of colorful kites in the sky. During this time, families come together to exchange blessings, share meals, and engage in various traditional activities.

Another significant festival is Tihar, also known as Diwali, which is a five-day festival dedicated to worshipping different deities. Each day has its own special rituals and celebrations, including lighting oil lamps, making intricate rangoli designs, and offering prayers to the goddess of wealth, Laxmi. The festival is also known for its unique tradition of honoring animals, including dogs, cows, and crows, as they hold special significance in Hindu mythology.

Nepal is also famous for its Buddhist festivals, with one of the most important being Buddha Jayanti, which commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and death of Lord Buddha. Devotees visit Buddhist monasteries, offer prayers, and participate in peaceful processions while chanting sacred mantras. The atmosphere is serene and filled with a sense of spiritual devotion.

The Holi festival, known as the “Festival of Colors,” is celebrated with great enthusiasm throughout Nepal. It marks the arrival of spring and the triumph of good over evil. People joyfully play with colored powders and water, dance to traditional music, and indulge in festive treats. The air is filled with laughter, cheer, and a vibrant display of colors.

Other festivals celebrated in Nepal include Teej, a festival dedicated to the goddess Parvati and celebrated by women with fasting, singing, and dancing; Ghode Jatra, a horse racing festival that marks the victory over a demon and ensures good fortune; and Bisket Jatra, a New Year festival celebrated with street processions, chariot pulling, and various cultural performances.

The festivals of Nepal not only showcase the religious and cultural heritage of the country but also provide an opportunity for people to come together, celebrate, and strengthen social bonds. They offer a glimpse into the traditions, beliefs, and values that have been passed down through generations.

In conclusion, the festivals of Nepal form an integral part of the country’s cultural fabric. They are a testament to the rich religious and cultural diversity of the nation, bringing communities together and spreading joy and harmony. Whether it’s the resplendent Dashain, the vibrant Tihar, or the lively Holi, each festival leaves an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of those who experience them. Nepal truly comes alive during these festive occasions, and witnessing the celebrations is an unforgettable experience for both locals and visitors alike.

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List of 17 Festivals in Nepal

Festivals in Nepal are the center of attraction for thousands of visitors. Nepal is popularly known as the land of festivals. For Nepalese, our festivals are pride and a way to represent who we are. Even if you are not visiting Nepal for any festival or event you might encounter one or the other way back to your hometown.

You might be amazed at the country’s colorful energetic ways of celebrating. This might leave you some memories to share with your colleagues or close ones. Festivals in Nepal are the source of religious and cultural events celebrated effectively and virtually every year.

Festivals are the source of social, mythological, religious, and historical backgrounds. All the festivals celebrated reflect their uniqueness. Dashain and Tihar are the festivals that carry national significance in Nepal. Different cultural and religious diversity is visible while celebrating different festivals. Read below to learn about the major festivals of Nepal

Table of Contents

Dashain is one of the important festivals all over Nepal. The victory of good over evil has been a symbolic meaning to celebrate this festival. Dashain is one of the longest festivals in Nepal; it is celebrated for 15 days.

Dashain generally falls on the month of Ashivn or Kartik (i.e. September to November). The starting day of Dashain is Ghatasthapana and ends at Kojagrat Purnima. On the 7th day of Dashin in Pulpati the flowers and red cloth are brought from Gorkha to Kathmandu. Goddess Durga is worshiped throughout the festival and on the 10 th day of Dashain people receive tika, jamara, and blessings from their elders.

Some of the activities that can be seen peeking in Dashain are flying kites, playing cards, and playing swing. These festivals bring joy to every individual participating. Read more about Dashain .

Tihar is a festival of lights, colors, and flowers. It falls after two weeks of Dashain. The festival is for 5 days; during these days goddess Laxmi, the goddess of wealth is worshiped.

During these five days, people all around Nepal clean their houses and decorate their premises with lights and flowers. Later, in the evening group of people gather together and celebrate by playing Deusi-Bhailo, singing, and dancing.

Moreover, the festival unites the relationship between brothers and sisters, Bhai Tika . Sister puts Santa-rangi tika (seven-colored tika) on her brother’s forehead wishing for a long and happy life.

Chhath is a festival celebrated by the majority of people living in the Terai region. The festival runs for 4 days to worship the god Surya, the only god that has existed to people to date.

The devotees fast all day wishing for the happiness of the family and the next day they end the festival by worshiping the rising sun. During Chhath, people use new utensils to cook delicacies for the people fasting and praying. It is believed that praying for the sun during Chhath eliminates skin disease. On this auspicious day, people gather on the river bank to worship the sun in the evening.

Teej is another festival for Hindu women all over the country. The festival will be celebrated for three days and the women stay fasting. Teej falls on monsoon in the month of Shravan ( June-July ). There is a belief that if unmarried girls fast without the consumption of water or any food, they get a husband like Lord Shiva.

Moreover, married women wish for a long life for their husbands. Nepalese women celebrate the festival by singing and dancing. On the first day, all the women gather together to have a feast popularly known as “Dar” and they call it Dar Khane din. The following day they fast and visit the Pashupatinath temple. On the third day, the women pay homage to saints and end the festivals by taking a bath.

Holi is popularly known as the festival of colors, the festival of love, and the festival of spring. This festival will be celebrated by playing with water and colors. Hoil falls in the spring season and during Chaitra (March).

The importance of Holi is to celebrate the death of “Holika”. Holi is significant for the divine love of Radha Krishna. People often forget their grudges and ask for forgiveness exchanging sweets. Terai region also celebrates Holi with great passion.

Lhosar is one of the festivals that carries significance for Buddhist people all over Nepal. People from Tibet called it Losar and it means the beginning of a new year.

At this festival people decorate their house, all the family gather together and enjoy singing and dancing. In addition, people visit monasteries, wear their cultural dress, drink homemade alcohol, and have a mask dance. Lhosar is classified into different types according to the communities.

• Tamu Lhosar : celebrated by the Gurung community.
• Sonam Lhosar : celebrated by the Tamang community.
• Gyalpo Lhosar : celebrated by the Sherpa community.

Punhi is popularly known as Yomari punhi and is the festival celebrated in the Newar community. This festival is celebrated at the end when rice is harvested. In Nepali, Purnima represents full moon day, so yomari punhi falls on full moon day (2nd month of the Lunar Calendar).

Annapurna is the goddess of grain and is worshiped on this day. Yomari is a mixed sweet made from rice flour and mixed sesame seeds. Yomari in winter keeps you warm and gives you energy. The stuffing in Yomari can be anything you like, so you alter and try new recipes as well.

Indra Jatra:

Indra Jatra is a religious festival that is popular among Hindus and the Buddhist community. Also, Indra Jatra is popular as Yenya. The festival takes place in Kathmandu Durbar square where all the people gather and celebrate.

Indra Jatra is generally famous for masked dances like Lakhe nach with the scary image(mask) on their face. With the festival being performed, Kumari Jatra also performs where the living goddess Kumari is taken for a ride in Charritot. People use lamps along the routes in remembrance of their loved ones.

Buddha Jayanti:

Buddha Jayanti is celebrating in remembrance of the birthday of Lord Gautam Buddha. On this day, a prince was born as Siddhartha Gautam who later founded Buddhism. Buddha’s birthday is celebrated all over Asia.

Generally, his followers visit Swayambhu, Bouddha, and monasteries on this day. His followers gather in a place, stay fasting in his name, sing the prayers, and enjoy this day.

Udhauli & Ubhauli:

The Kirat community has great influences and celebrates Udhauli & Ubhauli every year. This festival is celebrated twice a year ( summer and winter ). Kirati people celebrate Udhauli in the month of Mangsir to thank the nature god for providing them with enough harvest for the year.

People begin to migrate down the hill to protect themselves from the cold. Ubhauli is celebrating the month of Baishak which denotes the beginning of the farming season and also people start to migrate upwards.

Shivaratri:

Shivaratri is the greatest festival in the Hindu community where we worship Lord Shiva. Devotees take a deep bath in the river and stay fasting for the whole day. Generally, People visit the Pashupatinath temple. Shivaratri falls on Falgnu (February or March).

Later at night, People also enjoy sitting on fire and keeping themselves warm. There is a ritual of vang and datura to please lord shiva.

Janai Purnima:

Hindu people celebrate Janai Purnima on the day of Purnima (full moon day). This festival is widely popular as Raksha Bandhan where the sister ties a band called rakhi on the brother’s hand for their safety and long life.

On this day boys who have done bratabandha wear Janai (a sacred thread) and both men and women wear Raksha Bandhan in their hands. People celebrate this festival by eating kwati, a mixed soup of nine sprouted beans.

Gai Jatra is a traditional festival that carries the remembrance of loved ones. The newar community enjoys this festival with great pride. The festive fall on Bhadra (August to September)

On this day people roam around the city wearing face masks and enjoy dancing and singing in the street. People also remember the loved ones who passed away and share their feelings and believe that their loved ones are in heaven.

Krishna Janmashtami:

Krishna Janmashtami is the major festival of Nepal where people celebrate the birthday of Lord Krishna. There is a specific group of devotee who follows Lord Krishna known as Krishna Pranahmi. People often call it Krishnashtami, SaatamAatham, Gokulashtami, Yadukulashtami, and Srikrishna Jayanti. It falls in August and lasts for 2 days.

On this day Lord Krishna was born; devotees of Krishna fast and worship Shiva wholeheartedly. On top of it, the next day people play games such as Dahi handi (famous among Indian Hindus) and fly kites.

Biska Jatra

Biska Jatra is a popular festival celebrated in Bhaktapur, Nepal, during the Nepali new year. The festival is characterized by the erection of a tall wooden pole, known as a linga, which is adorned with colorful flags and offerings. A highlight of the festival is the pulling of a chariot carrying the god Bhairab and his consort Bhadrakali, which is believed to bring good fortune to the participants.

Rato Machindranath Jatra

Rato Machindranath Jatra is a month-long festival celebrated in Patan, Nepal, during the summer months. The festival centers around the pulling of a chariot carrying the god Rato Machindranath, who is believed to bring rain and good harvests. The chariot is pulled through the streets of Patan by devotees, and the festival culminates in the erection of a bamboo pole adorned with prayer flags.

Matatirtha Aunsi

Matatirtha Aunsi is a traditional Hindu festival celebrated in Nepal on the new moon day in the month of Baisakh (April-May). The festival is a day to honor and show gratitude to mothers, both living and deceased. Devotees visit the Matatirtha temple in Kathmandu to perform rituals and make offerings to their mothers, seeking blessings for their well-being and prosperity.

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