Festivals of Nepal

Nepal is very rich in its culture and tradition. People of different castes, ethnic groups following different religions live here. They have their own culture and traditions. Festivals reflects social, religious and cultural life of Nepal. They are mostly religious and social in nature. Some festivals are based on important events in the past. So, festivals of Nepal can be put into three categories: Religious Festivals, Social Festivals and National FestivalsGeographically , Nepal is divided into three physical features: Mountain, Hill and Terai. Each of these geographical regions celebrates different religious festivals. In the mountain region,'Lhosar' is their main festivals. In the hills , Bhoto Jatra, Gai Jatra, Maghe Sankranti, Saune Sankranti, Dashain and Tihar are the main festivals. The people of Terai mainly celebrate Chhath, Holi, Ramnawami and Bibahapanchami. These religious and social festivals are based on Lunar or Solar calender. According to Lunar calender, festivals celebrated are Haribodhani Ekadashi, Krishnashtami, Ram Nawami and Fagu purnima. According to the Solar calender, festivals celebrated are Maghe Sankranti, Saune Sankranti etc. Here we discuss some of the festivals based on Lunar or Solar calender.

RAM NAWAMI:

It is a very significant festival for the Hindus. It is celebrated with great joy and respect to Ram. Ram Nawami marks the birth to Lord Ram who is also regarded as the incarnation of Lord Vishnu. This festival falls on the Chaitra Shukla Nawami. Shree Ram was the prince of Ayodhya. We learn a lot from the life history of Shree Ram.He was an ideal person and ideal son. The life history of Shree Ram teaches us obedience to parents, respect for elders, love for juniors and qualities like patience, tolerance and forgiveness. A special fair is held at Janakpur where people from different parts of Nepal and India come to celebrate this important day.

MAGHE SANKRANTI:

Among various festivals celebrated according to the Solar calender, Maghe Sankranti or Makar Sankranti has its special importance. It is observed on 1st Magh, which is during the winter season. It is belived that from this day the sun gradually starts to move towards the Northern hemisphere. On the day, people get up early in the morning, go to the nearest river and takes a holy bath and worship. On this day, the preparation of food is also different. People eat special food, rich in protein and minerals, called khichadi, boiled or baked roots, sweet laddu prepared with lots of sesame seed often called ' Til ko laddu'. People also apply oil on their bodies.

The roots or Taruls ( yam) are boiled or cooked the previous night of Poush, called 'Masanta' and eaten the next day that is on the 1st of Magh or Maghe Sankranti, Because the roots are boiled or cooked in Poush and eaten in Magh, they call it Poushko pakya, Maghma khaya.

Tharu community celebrates this day as Maghi in the terai. It is their new year and the main festival.

On this day, fairs are held in many parts of the country. People visit these fail with joy and enthusiasm. They cherish these sweet memories for the rest of the year. This is the richness and uniqueness of our culture which must be a treasure for us.