tion throughout Nepal.
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Fagun-(February-March)
National Democracy Day
The
Birth of Anniversary of the Late King Tribhuvan .This is
celebrated all over the Kingdom to observe the 7th of
Fagun 2007 BS(1951 AD) when the Nepalese people, led by
the Late King Tribhuvan, overthrew the autocratic Rana
regime. All government offices remain closed on this day
and parades, processions and other celebrations take
place throughout the country.
Shivaratri-The
night of Shiva
This festival, taking place at Pashupati temple on the
outskirts of Katmandu, is dedicated to the god Shiva. On
the morning of Shivaratri day and also on proceeding
days, thousands of worshippers make their way to the
ancient and revered temple of Shiva, many of them
undergoing one or more days of fasting. It is customary
to offer gifts both in the temple itself and to the
temple priests. The priests in turn, give back a small
portion which is considered a gift from Lord Shiva and a
sign of his blessing. While these religious rites
continue until the evening, there is along military gun
salute at Tundikhel parade ground in central Katmandu to
acknowledge the important occasion. In the evening, His
Majesty the King, accompanied by the Royal family, also
pays homage at Pashupati temple.
As darkness falls, hundreds of wick lamps are lit around
the temple vicinity while on the surrounding hills,
bonfires are lit. Throughout the night, prayers, singing
and chanting continue; many worshippers also take holy
baths at three-hourly intervals. Bonfires are also lit
at important crossroads and in village and town
courtyards throughout the valley.
Fagu
Fagu, also known as Holi, is a weeklong festival
celebrated all over Nepal. In Katmandu, it starts at
Hanuman Dhoka with the setting up of a "Chir" - a long
pole whose upper portion consists of wooden frames
decorated with strips of colorful cloth. These strips of
cloth are believed to carry special power to ward off
the evil. The following six days of festival are almost
normal; however, the last day is wildly celebrated with
people throwing colored powder and water at each other.
In every town of the country, there are jubilations in
the streets as the celebrants throw small balloons
filled either with ordinary or colored water. At the end
of the festival, the chir is taken down and burnt.
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Chaitra-(March-April)
Ghode
Jatra
The festival of horses is a yearly sports event-taking
place at Tundikhel parade ground in central Katmandu.
Its roots go back several hundred years, though, it is
also associated with other older religious traditions.
For example, at midnight at the parade grou
nds, the images of Bhadra Kali and her sister goddess
are carried from their respective temples and placed in
the middle of the dark expanse. A third sister goddess
is then brought from another locality and made to bow
before the first two images. The actual horseracing is
conducted with great gusto and spectators come from all
over the valley, as well as from more distant parts, to
witness the exciting event.
Seto
Machchhendranath Jatra
Held annually, the main feature of this festival is a
weeklong chariot procession of Seto Machhendranath
Katmandu. A long chariot-decorated with flowers and
greenery, with the replica of the main deity, is taken
out in procession through the main throughfares of old
Katmandu.
Janai Poornima, Teej, Chaite
Dashain, Ram Nawami, Dumji and
Losar are other
important festivals of Nepal.
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