TENTATIVE FESTIVAL DATES FOR 2005/ 2062
B.C
Festival Of Nepal
It is said about Nepal that every other structure
is a holy shrine every other day of festival. Well
if the number of annual festival. Both religious
and national, is any indication, the saying couldn’t
be more true Festival is an essential part of Nepalese
life that garner emend us local participant. Festival
also offers visitors valuable opportunity not only
for having fun but gaining insight into various
aspects of Nepalese culture.
The religious festivals follow the lunar calendar.
While national festivals have fixed dates. Wherever
or whenever you arrive in Nepal, you can be pretty
sure of being at the right time for one for one
more special events. Some of the major and interesting
festivals are presented below.
Maha Shivaratri: (March 2005) Shivaratri
or the Night of Lord Shiva is observed in 18 February
2004. It is celebrated in honor of Lord Shiva. A
great religious fair tales place in the Pashupatinath
Temple and thousands of people from all over Nepal
and India flock the temple to worship Lord Shiva.
(Navavarsha) Nepali New Year (14 April 2005):
The Nepalese New Year’s Day usually
falls in the second week of April. i .e. the first
day of Baisakh. The day is observed as a national
holiday. The people celebrate it with a great pomp
and show. On this occasion, Bisket Jatra is held
in the city of Bhaktapur.
Ghodejatra: (April 2005) Known
as the festival of horses, it is one of the most
exciting festivals of Kathmandu. Horse race and
other sports take place at Tundikhel on this day.
In other parts of the city, various deities are
carried shoulder-high on palanquin (khat) to the
accompaniment of traditional music.
Baisakh Poornima (16 May 2005 Lord Buddha’s
Birth Anniversary): 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 colorful ceremonies on this
day. People celebrate the occasion with great veneration
paying homage to Buddha at places kike Swayambhunath,
Bouddhanath and Lumbini.
Red Machchhendranath Rath Jatra (May-June):
This festival is the biggest socio-cultural event
of Patan. The wheeled chariot of a deity known as
bungdyo or Red Machchhendranath is made at Pulchowk
and dragged through the city of Patan in several
stages till it reaches the appointed destination
(Lagankhel). The grand finale of the festival is
called the ‘Bhoto Dekhaune’ or the “showing
of a vest”. A similar kind of chariot festival
to Machchhendranath (white) is also held in Kathmandu
city in the month of March-April.
Teej: ( August 2005) Teej is a
Hindu festival celebrated by women. Dancing, folk
song and the red color of women’s wedding
saris dominate the days of Teej. Women observe a
fast and flock to Shiva temples where married ones
pray for a happy conjugal life and unmarried ones
for a good husband.
Gaijatra (Cow festival): (August 2005)
It is a carnival that lasts eight days. Dancing,
singing, comedy and anything that causes mirth and
laughter are its highlights.
Indrajatra: (September 2005) The
festival of Indra, the God of rain, is observed
with great enthusiasm in Kathmandu Valley. The festival
lasts for eight days. The chariot of Kumari, the
Living Goddess, is taken out in procession through
the main streets of Kathmandu. The festival is specially
noted for the echoes of drums and dancing feet of
the masked dancers almost every evening.
Dashain or Durga Puja: (October 2005) The
Dashain festival is the most important festival
of the Nepalese. The entire country is in enthusiastic
holiday mood at the time of the festival.
Tihar (Deepawali): (Last Oct/Firs Nov-2005) known
as the festival of Lights, Tihar is celebrated for
five days. Houses are illuminated at night and special
sweets of different varieties are prepared.
Lhosar:- This Festival is belong
to Gurung and Sherpa peoples of Nepal, but they
celebrate separately because Lhosar means this is
new year of those (Gurung and Sherpa) people. Gurung
people celebrate end of the English (December) month
like new year.. They organize folk songs and dances
on this occasion. These dances can be seen in Kathmandu,
Pokhara and some villages where the Gurung people
live in.
SHERPA BUDDHIST FESTIVALS are held
spring, summer, autumn, and winter throughout SoluKhumbu.
Dance dates and times are set from the Tibetan lunar
calendar, but are fine-tuned by divination. Thus,
published festival dates may be altered at the last
moment. Our English-speaking guides will assure
that you arrive at the monastery in plenty of time
and that you have comfortable rustic lodgings during
the rituals.
We are delighted to introduce small, interested
groups to the marvelous beauty of traditional Tibetan
Buddhist masked dancing in a Sherpa Gompa setting.
Some personal knowledge of and affection for Tibetan
Buddhist beliefs will enhance your enjoyment. However,
because the festivals support SoluKhumbu's planting
and animal breeding cycles, most anyone can understand
their basic meanings.
Our devoted Buddhist guides will be happy to answer
all of your questions, or they'll find you a Lama
who can!
SHAR-KHUMBU (Solu-Khumbu) Nyingmapa Buddhist
Festivals
| SEASON |
GOMPA LOCATION |
DISTRICT |
FESTIVAL NAME |
| spring |
Jung Gompa |
Shar-Khumbu |
Dumchi (Lama Dance) |
| autumn |
Chi-wang Gompa |
Shar-Khumbu |
Dumchi (Lama Dance) |
| spring |
Golla Gompa |
Shar-Khumbu |
Dumchi (Lama Dance) |
| spring |
Sakar Gompa |
Shar-Khumbu |
Dumchi (Lama Dance) |
| spring |
Kil-khor Dingma Gompa |
Okhaldunga |
Mani Rimdu (Lama Dance) |
| autumn |
Kil-khor Dingma Gompa |
Okhaldunga |
Dumchi (Lama Dance) |
| spring |
Lo-Men-thang Gumpa |
Mustang (Lo) |
Tiji (Lama Dance) - 1 |
| summer |
Luk-lha Gompa |
Khumbu |
Dumchi (Lama Dance) |
| summer |
Khum-jung Gompa |
Khumbu |
Dumchi (Lama Dance) |
| autumn |
Tengbu-che Gompa |
Khumbu |
Mani Rimdu (Lama Dance) |
| summer |
Pangbo-che Gompa |
Khumbu |
Dumchi (Lama Dance) |
| summer |
Thame Gompa |
Khumbu |
Mani Rimdu (Lama Dance) |
| summer |
Nawuche (Nauje) Gompa |
Khumbu |
Dumchi (Lama Dance) |
| summer |
Manang Area |
Manang Area |
Mitha (Archery Contest) |
| summer |
Lo-Men-thang Gumpa |
Mustang (Lo) |
Tiji (Lama Dance) - 2 |
| autumn |
Mukti-nath |
Mustang Area |
Yarthung (Horse Riding) |
| summer |
Manang |
Manang Area |
Yarthung (Horse Riding) |
| summer |
Rimi-jung Gompa |
Pharak |
Dumchi (Lama Dance) |
| autumn |
Shey Gompa |
Dolpa |
Nekor |
| late autumn |
Jalsa Gompa |
Shar-Khumbu |
Chhechu-Chham (Lama Dance) |
| autumn |
Okharane Gompa |
Sindupalchok |
Dumchi (Lama Dance) |
| first new Moon of Tibetan year, early spring |
Where-ever there are Sherpas, there is Lo-Sar!
(Lo=year, Sar=new) Major celebrations in Kathmandu,
Darjeeling, New York, & San Francisco |
Bouddhanath Stupa in Kathmandu and all Sherpa
Gompas |
SHERPA LOSAR |
| late spring |
originally a Newar festival, now enjoyed by
Kathmandu Buddhists of many backgrounds |
in Kathmandu |
Buddha's Birthday - "Buddha
Gayanthi" |
|
