Most of the festivals celebrated in Nepal are religion
oriented. The dates of most festivals are determined by
famous astrologers in consultation with the lunar
calendar.
Dasain
is the biggest festival of Nepal, celebrated nationwide
in the month of October and is the most important of all
Nepali celebrations featuring the biggest animal
sacrifice of the year.
Tihar (lighting festival
dedicated to Goddess Laxmi)
Celebrated in November in which crows, dogs and cows are
esteemed and Sisters Offers Tika to the brothers for
prosperity and long life with delicious food served to
brothers and relatives.
Other important Hindu festivals are colorful Holi
in March, lively Indra Jatra in September and
Chaitra Dasain in April. Some of the local festivals
in the Kathmandu Valley are epic affairs - the Red
Machchhendranath Rath Jatra (May-June) at Patan
features incredible chariot parades to honor Lord
Krishna. Followers of Shiva celebrate Haribodhini
Ekadashi (November) and Maha Shivaratri
(March) with great processions of holy men from Nepal
and India at Pashupatinath.
As Buddhism is a philosophy rather than a religion,
Buddhist festivals are fewer comparing to Hindu
Festivals. However, Losar (Tibetan New Year, held
in February) is celebrated with masked chaam
dances at Swayambhunath, Bodhnath and Tibetan
monasteries across the country. Other important Buddhist
feast days include Mani Rimdu (November) in Solu
Khumbu and Buddha Jayanti (Buddha's birthday in
May) is widely celebrated in Kathmandu and Lumbini.
Please contact us in advance to combine your choice
tour/trek with various festival observations. We can
create a plan according to your requirements indulging a
suitable timeframe for you. |
