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Major festivals celebrated in Nepal
Nepal is a nation well known for their cultural diversity. They are also known for their wide ranges of festival. Many major festivals in Nepal are widely linked to the religion and culture of the people of Nepal.
In this article we aim to learn about the major festivals of Nepal.
The top 10 major festivals in Nepal
Here are the list of the top 10 major festival celebrated in Nepal
Dashain
Dashain is the national festival in Nepal. In many parts of the world, Dashain is also known as Dashera. According to myths, Dashain is a festival dedicated to Goddess Durga on her win on the famous Rakshashya Mahisashur. This festival lasts of 10 days. Each day is dedicated to one of the 10 forms of Goddess Durga.
Every year, many devotees sacrifice many chickens, goats and buffalos in the name of Goddess Durga in Dashain.Dashain is also a rare festival in Hindusism where devotees are not forbidded to touch meat products.
In Dashain, you can see a large number of Kite flying, gambling and bamboo swings. Additionally, In Dashian you can see a large number of shopping for new clothes.
During Dashain, most of the service industry are closed as many of their workers return home.
Tihar
Tihar is one of the major festival in Nepal. In many parts of the world it is also known as Diwali and “Yampanchak”.It is believed that Tihar is celebrated to thank all animals, gods and people’s help for you in the whole year. Tihar is celebrated for 5 days.
In each days you will worship the crow, the dog, cow, Goddess Laxmi and in the end we have Bhai Tika in which the sisters worship her brothers.
The Kaag Tihar, worships crows who are believed to be the messenger of death.
The Kukur Tihar is celebrated to thank the contribution of dogs to our society.In additions, it is believed that dogs are the gatekeepers of Hell and the messenger of the hindu god of death, Yamaraja.
In the Laxmi Puja, we worship cow in the morning and goddess Laxmi at night. It is believed that cows are the form of Goddess Laxmi.
In Goverdan Puja, we worship Buffalos who help the farmers allyear. In addition, it is also related to the myths of the young god Krishna protecting humans from the wrath of god of rain and King of Heaven, God Indra.
Bhai Tika, sister worship her brother, in the same way the god of death Yama was worshipped by his sister.
If you have no brothers or no sisters you can go to the Rani Pokhari Temple to wear the tika.
Shivaratri
Shivaratri is a festival dedicated to one of the main god of Hindusism, Lord Shiva. Thousands of devotees travel to Pashupatinath Temple to worship Lord Pashupatinath, a form of Lord Shiva. This festival is celebrated for the Tandava dance of Lord Shiva. It is believed that Lord Shiva saved the earth from major destruction in this day on the bequest of Goddess Parvati.
In this day, you will see many Sadhus from all over the world in the Pashupatinath Temple. Also, devotees also worship Goddess Shakti on the same day.
Teej
Teej is one of the major festival in Nepal. According to myths, due to the Princess Parvati’s dedication and deep meditation she married Lord Shiva, the main god of Hindusism and began to be well known as Goddess Parvati. It is also said that Goddess Parvati is the form of Goddess Durga.
In this day, many girls and women take barta (fasting) for the blessing of finding a good husband and his long life,
Loshar
Loshar is said to be the new year of Tamang, Gurung and Magars. The three type of Loshar each is a new year of each community. In this festivals, family reunite, dance and have a huge celebrations on local costumes.
Holi
Holi is a famous festival in Nepal. According to legends, Holi is celebrated as the win of Prahalad, from his aunt Rakshaya Holika who aims to kill him because of his dedication of one of Hindusism’s major god Lord Vishnu.
This festival is also known for color festival where many devotes smear color in the people’s faces for the celebration of good against evil.
Gai Jatra
Gai Jatra is a major festival in Nepal. It is believed that The former Malla King Pratap Malla initiated this festival for his queen who grieved for the death of their son. The most well known celebration of Gai Jatra is done in Patan, Bhaktapur and Kathmandu.
In this festival, many young boys wear cow masks and smear the picture of the cow to celebrate the life and death and the peace of the deads.
Saraswati Puja
Saraswati Puja or Basanta Panchami is celebrated in the name of the Goddess of Knowledge Saraswati. It is believed that worshipping Goddess Saraswati in this day will get her blessing for a successful study life.
Many children will learn their letter for the first time in this day and also be admitted in school to capture her blessing.
Chath
Chhath is a major festival in Nepal. Chath occurs right after Tihar. This festival is dedicated to the Sun God. In this day many devotees worship the sun god by making offierings on the banks of the river.
It is also said that Chhathi Maiya is the Goddess who is worshiped during the famous Chhath Puja. In the Vedas, Chhathi Maiya is known as Usha. She is thought to be Surya, the sun god’s consort. Some scholars believe she is only Surya’s beloved, while others believe she is Surya’s wife. Dawn is referred to as Usha, or the first light of day. However, she has a more symbolic meaning in the Rig Veda. Usha represents the awakening of divine consciousness in the individual aspirant. Usha and Pratyusha, Sun’s wives, are said to be the main source of Sun. In Chhath, both Usha and Pratyusha are worshiped alongside the Sun.
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