Nepal's Religious Festivals January to June July to December Nepal's Festivals Festivals January to June January MAGHE SANKRANTI A Sankranti signifies the first day of any month in the Nepali calendar year. Makar means Capricorn. Makar Sankranti, therefore, means the first day of the month when the sun enters that part of the zodiac which is symbolized by Capricorn. In the Nepalese belief this day marks the division of the Winter and Summer solstice. Bathing in rivers is prescribed for this day, especially at the river confluence and feasting with rich foods of special preparation is common in the family. February MAHA SHIVARATRI Shivaratri, or the night of Lord Shiva, is observed in February-March. It is celebrated in the honour of Lord Shiva. A great religious fair takes place in the Pashupatinath Temple and thousands of people from all over Nepal and India visit it on this occasion. February TRIBHUVAN JAYANTI The birthday anniversary of His Late Majesty King Tribhuvan is observed throughout the kingdom. This day is officially observed as Rashtriya Prajatantra Divas or National Democracy Day (it generally falls on February 18) as a mark of respect to the memory of the late king who successfully led the people's revolution of 1950-51 . The event shared in democracy after a century of Rana autocracy. February SRI PANCHAMI Sri Panchami also known as Basant Panchami announces the advent of the spring season in Nepal . On this day a religious function known as Basanta Shrawan is held at the court-yard of Hanuman Dhoka Palace. Saraswati shrines all over the Kingdom are filled with the crowd of school children and other students on this day. Around the city are seen numerous wedding processions. Saraswati temples at Swayambhu and Neel Saraswati at Gairidhara are worth visiting during the morning. March LOSHAR This festival is most impressively observed in the month of March by all the Tibetan speaking populations including the Sherpas. They organize folk songs and dances on this occasion. These dances can be seen in Khumbu, Helambu and other northern regions of Nepal and also at Bodhnath in Kathmandu. March PHAGU POORNIMA Phagu Poornima also known as Holi is the festival of colour. It is observed for eight days just before the full moon of Phalgun during which time townsmen indulge in colour throwing at each other. This festival is observed with most joy and gaity in the Terai region of the country. The festival is terminated with the burning of the pole on the night preceding the Phalgun full moon. April GHODE JATRA Ghodejatra or the festival of horse is held on-the fourteenth of the dark half of the Chaitra . The festival has two sides of its celebration. Its cultural side involves the Newars of Kathmandu who celebrate it for several days. The idols of the gods of many localities are taken in a procession in their area in portable chariots. Horse race and acrobatic shows are presented at this time in which His Majesty the King is present. The deities are brought in their portable chariots. The same festival is repeated at night in Tundikhel. April NAVABARSH The Nepalese New Year's Day usually falls in the second week of April. The day is observed as a national holiday. The people celebrate it with great pomp and show. On this occasion, Linga Jatra or the Bisket, as it is, it is locally known, is held in the city of Bhadgaon. April BAISAKH PURNIMA As Nepal is the birthplace of Lord Buddha, the Light of Asia, the triple anniversary of the Buddha's birth, enlightenment and death 'is observed with many colourful ceremonies on the day of Baishakh Purnima. It is a national holiday. People celebrate the occasion with great veneration paying homage to the Buddha at places like Swayambhunat and Lumbini. April RED MACHHENDRANATH RATH JATRA This is one of the spectacular chariot festivals in Patan. It lasts for several days in the month of April. A similar kind of chariot festival of Machhendranath (White) is also held in Kathmandu city in the month of March-April, and lasts usually for four days. April MATATIRTHA AUNSI This day is observed as the Mother's Day with the expression of proper regards towards one's mother. It is individually performed by persons out of filial piety. Those whose mothers are already dead go to bathe and offer ablutions to their dead mothers at Matatirtha near Thankot village. The fortunate ones whose mothers are alive present her with gifts of sweet meats and receive blessing from them. This day is an official holiday in Nepal. April May BUDDHA JAYANTI Buddha Jayanti is a great day for the Nepalese. This day which falls on the full moon of the month of Baisakh is celebrated to commemorate the birth, attainment of enlightement and the death of Gautama Buddha, the founder preacher of Buddhism, more than 2500 Years ago. It is a thrice blessed day. It is the day when Buddha was born, when he was enlightened and when he got Nirvana (Salvation). prayers are sung and worship is offered by the devotees in leading Buddhist shrines throughout the country including Lumbini in the Rupandehi district, which is the birth place of Lord Buddha, the Light of Asia. There is a great fair held at Lumbini on this day. June July GHANTA KARNA Ghanta Karna is also known as 'Gathyamuga'. This festival is a relic of the be!ief in demonolatry by the people of the Valley. Ghanta Karna, a demon and other evil spirits are propitiated and exercised on this day. An effigy made of green reeds is erected at all the main cross-roads of the town in the day. A person is painted in all kinds of colour till he looks like a grotesque figure representing the demon Ghanta Karna. This symbolic demon goes begging in the locality. At the end of the day he is dragged to a river on the green reeds symbolising the driving away of the demon from the locality.