Ghoday Jatra

Ghoday Jatra

Horse participating in Jatra

Head of the state observing the festival

Legends relate that this horse festival was begun after the Kathmandu people buried a demon under the soil of Tudikhel show grounds. They say that he may rise again and cause worry to the world if horses do not trample him on each year. So, every spring, this victory over evil is celebrated in the valley by organizing palanquin process and a fantastic display of show jumping, motorcycling feats and gymnastics.

Maghe Sankranti

Maghe Sankranti

Til ko laddu

Maghe sankranti is observed in the month of January on the first day of the month of Magh, bringing an end to the ill-omened month of Poush when all religious ceremonies are forbidden.On this day, the sun leaves its southernmost position and takes off for its northward journey, so Maghe Sankranti is similar to solstice festivals in many other traditions. People participate in holy bathing in this festival and auspicious foods like til ko laddu, ghee, sweet potatoes etc are distributed. The mother of the house wishes good health to all family members. According to Mahabharata, king Bhisma, who had the power to control his own death, happened to choose to die on the day of Maghe Sakranti. Therefore it is believed that to die on this day might achieve Moksha, a release from the rebirth cycle.

Indra Jatra

Indra Jatra

                     

The Indra Jatra festival begins on the 26th of Bhadon (late August) and lasts for eight days. On the first day a lofty wooden post is erected before the king's palace(Hanuman Dhoka) and dancers from all across Nepal perform with masks. If an earthquake ever occurred on the opening day of the festival this was considered a bad omen and the festival would have to be restarted. On the third day, young virgins(Living Goddes Kumari) are brought before the king and worshipped and then carried through Kathmandu, mounted on oars.

Kumari

Gai Jatra

Gai Jatra
(Gai= cow and Jatra = festival).The festival of cows is one of the most popular festivals celebrated in the Newar community. Traditionally the family who has lost a relative during the past year participates in this festival, with a belief that the bereaved relative then rests peacefully in the heaven.Mostly the people send a cow but if cow is unavailable they send their children dressed up as cow to walk in the procession .Thousands of whimsical characters of all sorts fill the streets on this day.


Gai Jatra is also famous as the festival of humor.Comic dramas and shows are performed. Even the newspapers bring out special editions making mockery out the government on this day.It is considered important as this festival enables people to realize and accept the Truth"death is the destination of life."

Ghintang kishi Dance

This entirely Newar festival is held on the 1st day of Bhadon. Newars who have lost loved ones during the year traditionally disguised themselves as cows and danced around the palace of the king. However, in modern times, the ceremony is performed only as a masked dance with the singing of songs.

History :


King Pratap Malla in the 18th century lost his son which led the queen to depression.Despite his efforts, he could not make the queen smile .So he announced a reward to whoever succeeds to make the queen laugh.So on the day of Gai jatra the people started making mockery out of anything possible which brought a smile on the queen's face.And since then the king ensued Gai Jatra as a festival of humor too.

Such chariots with the statue of the cows are the main tradition of this festival.
The celebration in Bhaktapur is the most interesting one.Tall decorated bamboo poles, wrapped in cloth are carried around the city in memory of the dead.

Janmashtami

Janmashtami


The birthday of Lord Krishna is celebrated in Nepal during the Janmashtami

Devotees in the Krishna Mandir

Janmashtami is celebrated on the month of Bhadon (Mid August), in memory of Lord Krishna. Shops and houses are adorned in celebration.

Famous Krishna Mandir at Patan Darbar square of Nepal is visited by thousands of devotee.

Nag Panchami

Nag Panchami

A devotee worshiping the statue of Nag at Kathmandu

Nag Panchani takes place on the 5th of Sawan(early August) to commemorate the battle between Nag and Garur. The stone image of Garur at Changu Narayan is said to perspire during the festival and priests are sent to wipe the perspiration off with a handkerchief. They later present it to the king and water is used to make it into a snake bite remedy, despite the fact that there are few snakes inhabiting Nepal.

Gathia Mangal

Gathia Mangal or Ghanta Karn


This festival refers to the celebration of the expulsion of a Rakshasa or demon from the country, held on the 14th of Sawan. The Newars make a straw figure which they beat and drag around the streets. The figures are burned at sunset.

Ghantakarna