However, throwing caution to the wind, many Nepalis visited the Pashupatinath Temple and other such temples.

The Hindu month of Shrawan, which falls in July and August, is perceived as an auspicious period for Hindus. They typically worship Lord Shiva and fast during this period.

The Hindus visit the temples, and many women end their fast after worshipping Lord Shiva on the last Monday of Shrawan.

However, due to the COVID-19 threat, the local administration imposed rules which barred many devotees from entering the temples and conduct ceremonies outside the temples. As a result, most of the devotees wound up outside the temples in large numbers.

Most of the devotees who were barred from entering the temples wound up worshipping the Shiva Lingas outside.

Stay Tuned to NepaliSansar for Latest Nepal Culture News Updates!

More News:

• As Taliban Captures Afghanistan, Nepal Prepares to Rescue its Citizens!
• Nepal Vaccinates Students Attending In-person Exams Against COVID-19
• Miss Grand Nepal 2021 Audition Dates Announced! Apply Now!
• Food Dept. Files Case Against State-owned DDC for Suboptimal Products
• Nepal COVID-19 Vaccination: Only 15% Received First Dose!

The post Nepalis Ignore COVID-19 Threat as They Visit Pashupatinath Temple in Droves appeared first on Nepali Sansar.

The celebrations are planned on a grand scale beginning with the traditional #bullfight, as every year. Marking the festival day, the country is going to see exciting bullfighting events across different areas.

The bullfighting event will be seen in Nuwakot and Dhading districts, adjoining the Kathmandu valley, as the major highlight of the #MagheSankranti2020 celebrations in Nepal.

Hundreds of public are going to be seen in Taruka village of Nuwakot district to watch the joyful event.

The local sport has its origin in Taruka village and has been played since some 200 years ago in the 19^th century.

Bullfight in Nepal is different from those in other parts of the world! #NepaliBullFight event includes both bulls and oxen, where they will be fighting continuously for nearly an hour period.

Ethnic appearances by the women of Tharu and Magar communities are going to be other highlights of the day.

‘Maghe Sankranti’ – The Auspicious Day

Maghe Sankranti, which falls on the first day of the Nepali month of Magh as per the lunar calendar, marks the transition of Sun into the Hindu zodiac sign called Makara (Capricorn), putting an end to winter and welcoming the other seasons of the year followed by summer.

As per the tradition, Nepali Hindus visit various holy shrines and rivers to observe traditional pujas and Makar Snan (holy river bath) at the confluence of major rivers on this auspicious day.

While the confluence of the holy Kali Gandaki and Trishuli rivers in Devghat hold great significance, devotees also take holy dips at various other rivers such as Dolalghat, Devghat, Ridi, Triveni and Baraha Kshetra, among others across the country.

A large number of people from Sunsari, Ilam, Morang, Saptari, Siraha, and Jhapa districts and a good number of people from various places of India gathered at Kankai River for Makar Snan, the tradition that is observed every year.

Culture and Tradition for Wellbeing

Marking the celebration as the start of New Year, Nepal’s Tharu community people will visit the Kathmandu Valley’s open ground Tundikhel (to commemorate Maghe Sankranti, the community’s biggest festival).

Meanwhile, the Newar Community also celebrates the festival as Ghyo Chaku Sanlhu with delicious dishes like ghee, chaku and remembering their beloved and departed souls.

As per the tradition, the elders apply a little amount of oil to the younger ones who then proceed for holy dip in sacred rivers. It is believed that sharing and eating ghee and chaku, vegetables and yam and sesame seed candy on the festival day adds to a healthy life.

Another special delicious item, a mixture of black gram and rice with hot spices and ghee, called Khichadi is also served on this auspicious festival day. On the occasion, national leaders President Bidya Devi Bhandari and Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli extended their best wishes to the global Nepali community.

Grand Celebrations

In 2019, a three-day-long fair was held in Gulmi at the pilgrimage site of Ridi of Ruru area at a place, a
tri-junction of Gulmi, Syangja and Palpa districts.

Meanwhile, another big religious fair was also celebrated in Devghat of Chitwan district with thousands of participants gathering at Devghat Dham for taking holy dip and observing the festival rituals.

Tharu community people also gathered at Tundikhel on a larger scale to mark the festival celebrations. Dressed in cultural attire, the community performed various cultural and religious dance shows at the event.

A Special Attraction

The traditional bullfight is one most famous animal sports event played as part of the Maghe Sankranti celebrations across Nepal and India. Commemorating the start of Magh and holy Sankranti festival, traditional bullfight sports event will be held across Nepal on January 15, 2020.

While Magh is also celebrated as the feast of molasses, Nepal’s mountainous district Nuwakot looks at it in a different way.

Marking the start of the Magh, the country observes the annual bullfighting event, a traditional animal sport that dates back to more than 225 years.

“This is the tradition which we (farmers) have continued for years. We have been herding the bulls and the government has been giving allowance to buy the tractors. However, we are not getting any sort of help or aid despite preserving the tradition for long,” says Bhoj Bahadur Bhandari, a participant of this traditional bull sport.

This annual bull-taming festival in Nepal is similar to that of the most-famous Jallikattu in Tamil Nadu of India and the Spanish Bullfight.

Apart from being a tradition, this unique bullfighting event is also adding to the promotion of Nepal tourism.

NepaliSansar team wishes all “Very Happy Maghe Sankranti”.

The post ‘Maghe Sankranti 2020’ in Nepal: Bullfight, Mass Gathering, More! appeared first on Nepali Sansar.

Tamu Lhosar marks the beginning of the Tamu Sambat or Gurung Calendar Year. The festival is celebrated on the 15^th day of the Nepali month ‘Poush’ every year.

The Gurungs, also called Tamu, are the indigenous population of west-central Nepal known for their bravery and cultural heritage. The word Lhosar originates from “Lho” meaning Year and “sar” meaning New.

Tamu Lhosar day signifies the end of the winter season and the beginning of spring and is an occasion of great rejoicing for the Gurung community.

Tamu Lhosar Celebrations

On Tamu Lhosar day, people from the community dress in colorful traditional attire and visit various Buddhist shrines such as Swayambhu, Bouddha, and Kapan. They receive blessings from the monks for their happiness, progress, and prosperity.

Flags are erected on the rooftops of all houses, and friends, relatives, and well-wishers get together to exchange greetings and gifts. Delicious food, including sel roti (Nepali Bread) and achaar (Nepali pickles), is savored with the accompaniment of music and dance. Home-made alcohol called raksi is also consumed.

The Government of Nepal has declared a national holiday to celebrate the Lhosar festival. Several programs including traditional dances, rallies and Gurung sports are organized in Kathmandu on this day.

In the United States also, expatriates from the Tamu Gurung community celebrate the occasion at various places such as Pittsburgh-Pennsylvania, St. Paul-Minnesota and Nashville-Tennessee.

Nepal PM and President Extend Greetings

On the auspicious occasion of Tamu Lhosar Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and President Bidya Devi Bhandari extended their greetings to all the Gurung communities in Nepal and abroad.

Prime Minister’s Message

In his address, PM Oli said that the government was working to create an equitable society by erasing existing discriminations and inequalities.

“The government has started the campaign of ‘Prosperous Nepal, Happy Nepali’. Supports and constructive roles from all quarters are needed to materialize the campaign. I hope the Tamu community will cooperate with the government in this campaign,” added Oli.

President’s Message

In her message, President Bhandari wished for the Gurung community and all Nepalis’ happiness, mutual harmony, peace and prosperity. Adding further, she said that the Gurung community has been instrumental in promoting cultural tourism and boosting the rural economy in Nepal.

Bhandari said that such cultural entities are unique in the world and such kinds of cultural diversities should be protected to promote economic tourism in the country.

Nepali Sansar wishes the Gurung community and all of Nepal a very Happy Tamu Lhosar!

The post Nepal’s Gurung Community Welcomes ‘Tamu Lhosar’ 2019 appeared first on Nepali Sansar.

People in Nepal are offering prayers and worship to the Sun God. The Chhath festival is an occasion for human beings to express their gratitude to nature.

The main rituals of the festival are observed over a period of four days including the Arba-Arbain, Kharana, Offering Argha to the Setting Sun and Offering Argha to the Rising Argha.

Today, devotees are observing the Arba-Arbain ritual, also called Nahaya-Khaya. On this day, devotees don’t eat meat, fish, onion, millet and yellow lentils.

They take holy dips in ponds and rivers early in the morning and begin fasting.

Second Day – Kharana

On the second day or Panchami, Nepalis observe the Kharana ritual, which is performed to wash away an individual’s sins.

As part of the rituals of the Kharana, devotees cover the place of the Chhath rituals with a mixture of cow dung and water. A paste of Arba rice flour and water is sprinkled all over the place and the altar for the Puja.

Devotees observe a full day fast (including water) and later offer payas – a rice pudding to the moon after moon rise.

Third Day – Shasthi

The third day or Shasthi is observed by preparing delicacies made from ground rice and wheat flour. All the members in the family are supposed to go to a water body such as a ponds or river and offer various offerings including traditional delicacies such as bhusawa and khajuri, fruits and other articles, while singing devotional and folk songs.

Before giving the offering, devotees have to prostrate five times on the spot. This is followed by the drawing of the aripan in line with the tantric rituals. The devotees then enter the water bodies and pay obeisance to the setting sun.

Fourth Day – Parvan Rituals

On the fourth day, devotees go to the bank of the pond or river and conduct the same rituals of the previous evening and offer argha to the Sun God. Following this ritual, they listen to a priest chanting the Surya Purana scripture and the Chhath fasting.

The Chhath festival also celebrates the Chhathi Goddess. The festival was earlier celebrated only in the Mithilanchal region but now is celebrated all across Nepal.

According to oriental philosophy, human civilization developed on the banks of rivers and the sun and water of the five elements have played a crucial role in the sustenance of human life.

The Chhath festival pays a tribute to all the five elements.

The post Nepal Observes the First Day of Chhath Puja 2019 appeared first on Nepali Sansar.

On the occasion, Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli extended his greetings to Nepalis at home and abroad with the message that ‘Tihar is the festival of a balance between various sides of the nature.’

The Prime Minister added that the festival has helped maintain balance between various sides of nature and self-respect through worship of humans and different animals.

“Worshipping of animals and birds including the crow, goddess Laxmi, cow and ox reflects the balance between various sides of the nature,” said PM Oli.

He further added that Tihar can also be perceived with different angles such as the festival of light, festival of flowers and the union of brothers and sisters.

pic.twitter.com/PtGBbpP6iX

— K P Sharma Oli (@kpsharmaoli) October 27, 2019

President Bhandari’s Tihar 2076 Greetings

President Bhandari extended her greetings to all Nepalis wishing them peace, progress, prosperity and happiness on the auspicious occasion of Tihar.

In her message, Bhandari identified Deusi-Bhailo as an integral part of Tihar and said that it would further strengthen fraternity, mutual harmony, social goodwill and tolerance.

The President’s message further highlights the significance of the festival in enhancing mutual affection between brothers and sisters.

She also wished that the festival of light and colors will contribute to sustainable peace and stability in the society and economic prosperity.

The post Nepal Prime Minister, President Extend Tihar 2076 Greetings appeared first on Nepali Sansar.

According to religious belief of Mithila, this day is considered auspicious as it is said that Goddess Durga travels back to her consort Lord Shiva on the day of Dashami, after visiting and staying in her maternal home for nine days.

People prepare clay statues of the Goddess and worship her on this day. The deity is then given a farewell by immersing her clay statues in rivers and ponds, reminiscent of her return to Lord Shiva’s abode.

As per religious belief, all the ten gates of heaven are opened on Dashain paving way for people to undertake new ventures, get married or start a journey.

People from the Mithila region consider it auspicious to site a Neelakantha bird. Devotees go to trees where these birds are perched to get a glimpse of the bird. It is believed that Lord Rama had seen this bird on his way to defeat Ravan.

As part of the religious practices of the day, devotees burn the effigy of Ravana, whom Lord Ram defeated after praying to Goddess Durga.

The post Mithila Region Observes Jatara Parb 2019 appeared first on Nepali Sansar.

The President was received by Nepal Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Minister Yogesh Bhattarai, Culture Ministry Secretary Kedar Bahadur Adhikari and Pashupathi Area Development Trust (PADT) officials among others.

The Pashupatinath temple on Monday welcomed a large number of women devotees since early in the morning on Teej day 2019.

As customary every year, the PADT has made arrangements to accommodate the large number of devotees to the temples. All the four temple doors were opened from 3 AM in the morning, including the eastern door that has remained closed to visitors since 11 years.

Four thousand security personnel including Nepal Army, Armed Police Force, Nepal Police, National Investigation Department and PADT were deployed in the Pashupati area on Monday, in line with an integrated security plan formulated for the festive.

The area also had scouts and volunteers from different organizations to facilitate the devotees visit to the temple and conducting a peaceful worship.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli Haritalika Teej 2019 Greetings

On the occasion of Teej, the Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli extended his greetings to all Nepali women wishing them happiness, peace, prosperity, health and longevity.

“On the occasion of the celebration of the great festival of Nepalese women, good wishes for happiness, peace, prosperity, health and longevity of the sisters living at home and abroad,” tweeted the Prime Minister.

नेपाली महिलाहरुको महान पर्व हरितालिका तीजको अवसरमा स्वदेश तथा विदेशमा रहनु भएका दिदीबहिनीहरुमा सुख, शान्ति, समृद्धि, सुस्वास्थ्य र दीर्घायुको हार्दिक शुभकामना ।

— KP Sharma Oli (@PM_Nepal) September 1, 2019

Nepal Teej 2019 Celebrations in a Reel

The post Nepal Haritalika Teej Celebrations 2019 appeared first on Nepali Sansar.

The festival is also locally known as Buwa ko Mukh Herne in Nepali language, which means looking at father’s face.

According to the religious belief Pitru Devo Bhava, sons and daughters take their father’s blessings on Gokarne Aunsi. Children feed their fathers deliciously cooked meals which include sweets, meat and other gifts, showing respect to them.

Nepal streets are a sight to behold on Kushe Aunsi, when married girls are seen walking with gifts to their maternal homes to meet their fathers, despite busy schedules.

In the event of their father’s death, children go to Gokarneswor Mahadev temple or other holy places and perform a ritual called Shradh. It is believed that by doing this, their generations will remain stable forever.

Many people go to the Shiva temple, Gokarneswor Mahadev, in Gokarna, the suburbs of Kathmandu, Betrawati of Rasuwa and Bishnupaduka in Dharan to bathe and make offerings on Amavasya, the new moon day.

Hindus in Nepal celebrate the day by bringing Kush, a holy grass, home. They believe that by keeping Kush that has been cut and blessed by priests, will bring prosperity to their homes.

The Hindu community across the world treats Kush or Tulsi, peepal and shaligram as the symbols of Lord Bishnu.

Nepali Sansar extends its jouyous greetings to all Nepalis on the occasion of Kushe Aunsi!

Nepal Celebrates Kushe Aunshi:

The post Nepal Celebrates Kushe Aunsi 2019 appeared first on Nepali Sansar.

This year, Nepal will be celebrating Krishna Ashtami on August 23, 2019. Krishna Ashtami is observed as the celebration of Lord Krishna’s birthday.

Krishna, considered as the avatar of Lord Vishnu, was born as a dark-skinned boy in the midnight of the eight day of the dark moon of August, which is known as Ashtami. The name Krishna in Sanskrit means dark or black. The deity is fondly called with many other names, including Hari, Gopal, Murari, Nanda Lala, Makhan Chor and Shyam among hundred other names.

Why do Nepalis Celebrate Krishna Janmashtami

As per the Bhagvad Gita (the holy book of the Hindus), Krishna was quoted saying that whenever there is a dominance of evil and the decline in good deeds, I will take birth again and again to end the evil and save the good. Krishna Ashtami is celebrated as a reminder of victory of good over evil. God promises that he will come to rescue his people when sins exceed good deeds in the world.

Krishna is considered as the eighth avatar of Lord Vishnu. He was the eighth son of Mathura’s King Vasudev and Queen Devaki. He took birth to end the evil doings of his maternal uncle King Kansa.

Shree Krishna Janmashtami Celebrations In Nepal – Live Updates

Nepal cherishes Lord Krishna and celebrates his birth by paying worship at Krishna temples all over the country. Kathmandu Valley’s Krishna Mandir in Patan Durbar Square is the center of all Krishna Ashtami celebrations in Nepal.

Hundreds of devotees visit the temple on this day during midnight and beyond to pay homage to Lord Krishna. Men and women participate in joyful singing and dancing in the temple courts. People chant shlokas and sing bhajans and light small oil lamps to show their devotion and love for their favorite deity.

People also carry Lord Krishna’s images in processions accompanied by music and singing on the streets in the Kathmandu. People in old Kathmandu display pictures of episodes from Krishna’s life.

The sight of small cribs with the statue of Balgopal (Baby Krishna) fills almost every temple in Nepal.

Nepali Sansar wishes its readers a joyful Krishna Ashtami! May the little Lord Krishna fill your homes with joy and peace. (#HappyJanmashtami)

The post Nepal Observes Krishna Ashtami (Gokulashtami) 2019 Updates! appeared first on Nepali Sansar.

The Janai is a sacred cotton string, which is worn by Hindu men around the chest and is only given to males during a religious ceremony called ‘Bratabandhan‘. Bratabandhan is a formal process of bringing an individual into Hinduism.

The Janai marks the beginning of a male’s journey from boyhood to manhood, reminding them to devoutly follow their religion. It is considered as a symbol of body, speech and mind.

Janai Purnima is usually observed in the month of Shrawan.

On this day, people visit Shiva temples to participate in worship. For families, it is a time of togetherness and a time to relish the taste of Kwati (sprouted lentils).

The day is also important to ‘Shamans’, who gather from around the country to perform ancient rites in holy sites such as Patan’s Kumbeshwar, Langtang’s Gosaikunda and Dolakha’s Charikot.

At Khumbeshwar, religious heads place a richly decorated Shiv Lingam on a raised platform in the middle of the pond for devotees to worship Lord Shiva.

On the full moon day of Janai Purnima, a large number of Brahmins visit holy riverbanks where they take a dip in the water to cleanse themselves. After this, they change their threads. Brahman priests also tie a yellow thread around the wrists of the faithful.

In another ceremony Byan-ja Nakegu that takes place on this day, people offer rice to frogs as token of gratitude for good rains.

Newars in Kathmandu Valley recognize this day as Gunhi Punhi and prepare the traditional Kwati dish as part of the celebrations.

The post Nepal Celebrates Holy Festival of ‘Janai Purnima’ appeared first on Nepali Sansar.