 Most of the festivals celebrated in Nepal have religious
significance. The dates of most festivals are fixed by
famous astrologers after consulting the lunar calendar.
Dasain is a biggest festival of Nepal, celebrated
nationwide in month of October, is the most important of
all Nepali celebrations and features the biggest animal
sacrifice of the year. And Tihar (lighting festival
dedicated to Goddess Laxmi) in November when crows, dogs
and cows are respected and Sister Offers Tika to the
brothers prosperous and long live give delicious food to
the 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) in
Patan features incredible chariot parades to honor Lord
Krishna. Followers of Shiva celebrate Haribodhini
Ekadashi (November) and Maha Shivaratri (March) with
great traffic of holy man from Nepal and India at
Pashupatinath. As Buddhism is a philosophy rather than a
religion, Buddhist festivals are thinner on the ground.
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 - held in May) in Kathmandu and Lumbini. |
