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World > Asia > Nepal >
Kathmandu
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Basanta Panchami and Saraswati Puja (January) |
Basanta, or spring, ushers in the loveliest time of the year. Crowds
gather at Kathmandu's Durbar Square while His Majesty the King and
other dignitaries welcome the season as a band plays the traditional
song of spring. A different celebration occurs at Swayambhu and at
the Nil Barahi shrine near Lazimpat. Saraswati, the goddess of
learning, arts and crafts is worshiped at her temples. Artists,
musicians, teachers, and students bring flowers, unbroken rice, and
other gifts to please her.
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Maha Shivaratri (February) |
Lord Shiva is one of Nepal's most popular gods. During Maha
Shivaratri, his ` "Great Night", followers throughout the Indian
sub-continent crowd the Pashupati temple to worship him. On this
occasion "there is no space even for a sesame seed": Colorful sadhus,
the wandering sages who emulate Shiva, rub ashes over their bodies,
give lectures to disciples, meditate, or practice yoga. Devotees
pray to Shiva's image inside the temple at midnight and may queue
for up to six hours to look at the image. Bonfires are lit,
neighbours and friends share food, and devotees enjoy two days and a
night of music, song, and dance throughout the Pashupati complex and
in the streets.
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New Year's Day (April) |
The Bikram Era is Nepal's official calendar. This solar calendar was
started by King Bikramditya. The new year 2057 of the Bikram Era
corresponds to 2000-2001 of the Christan Era. New Year's Day is an
official holiday. Devotees visit the Pashupati temple to take a dip
in the holy Bagmati river.Pilgrims also visit other religious spots
and spend the day picniking. It is a day to seek blessings from
family priest and one's elders as well.
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Buddha Jayanti (May) |
The ever benevolent Buddha was born in Nepal, and the religion he
preached is the, second most popular in the kingdom. On May 6, a
full moon day, the Lord's birth, enlightenment, and salvation are
applauded throughout the valley with celebrations. Swayambhu and
Boudhanath Stupas are prepared for the oncoming festivities several
days in advance. Monasteries are cleaned, statues are polished,
bright prayer flags waft in the breeze, and monks prepare to dance.
On the Jayanti day, people reach the stupas before dawn, go around
them and give offerings to the many Buddha images there.
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Teej (September) |
Pashupati, the temple of Shiva, is drenched in crimson during Teej
as women in their fine red wedding saris crowd the temple grounds.
This unique women's festival is marked by fasting, folk songs, and
dancing as the women recall Parbati's devotion to her husband Shiva.
Married women visit their fathers' homes. All daughters and sisters
receive gifts from their male kin, and an elaborate feast is
prepared for them. It's a loud and cheerful celebration until late
at night, when strict fasting discontinues.
Unmarried women who fast on this day will have good luck in finding
suitable husband. Married women who fast will find their husbands
faithful and will see the bond of love grow. The blessings of Shiva
and Parbati ensure that family life will be joyous for all.
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Dasain (October) |
Dasain is the longest and most favourite festival of Nepal. Everyone
stays home with their families, offices close and Radio Nepal plays
Dasain music. The skies of Kathmandu are filled with kites and the
marketplaces are filled with farmers bringing their buffaloes, goats
and chicken to sell. The animals are to be sacrificed on the night
of Kal Ratri to the goddess Durga to celebrate her victory over
evil. On the day of Dashami, everyone puts on new clothes and goes
to honor their family elders, where they receive large red tikas of
vermilion paste on their foreheads. In the following days of Dasain,
families and friends unite, feasts are consumed, blessings are
imparted and gifts are exchanged. Nepal's most beloved festival ends
with the full moon.
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Tihar (November) |
Tihar, known as the Festival of Lights, is a time of candlelight,
tinsel decorations and festive colored sweets:. On different days,
there are offerings and small celebrations for crows, dogs, cows and
oxen. On the night of Lakshmi Puja, garlands are hung and lamps are
lighted to invite Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth into the home. Maha
Puja, the New Year's Day according to the Nepal Era is the day of
the self, when people give themselves blessings to remain healthy
and happy for the rest of the year. Bhai Tika, the last day of Tihar,
is the day when sisters make offerings to their brothers. The
rituals of breaking a walnut, putting on garlands of makhamali
flowers and encircling brothers in rings of mustard oil protects
them from Yama, lord of the Netherworld.
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