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]]>The festival is believed to have originated during the time of King Jagajyoti Malla. According to a legend, whoever married his daughter, the princess of Bhaktapur, was destined to die on the first night of the marriage. After many grooms lost their lives because of this curse, one prince who married the princess decided to stay awake the whole night to find out the cause. He observed two serpents coming out of the nostrils of the princess and killed them immediately. In the morning, the serpents were displayed on a pole to the local people who celebrated the occasion and initiated a tradition which continues till today as the Bisket Jatra festival.
During the first two days of the festival, a symbolic 25-foot pole displaying the serpents in the form of long ribbons is erected in Taumadhi Tole. On the third day, chariots with the idols of Lord Bhairab, the presiding deity of Bhaktapur and his consort Goddess Bhadrakali are paraded through the streets. Residents of the eastern and western sides of the city indulge in a competitive tug of war event to pull the chariots to their side, as the winning side is considered to be blessed with good luck and fortune. The pole is pulled down on the evening of the new year day.
A prominent feature of the Bisket Jatra is the tongue-piercing ceremony where one person spends the whole day with an iron spike piercing out of his tongue and roams through different parts of city carrying a fire torch on his shoulder.
A large number of visitors both from Nepal and abroad attend the Bisket Jatra festival each year. Tourists are advised to plan their trip well in advance, as hotels and other accommodations in Bhaktapur experience a heavy demand during this period.
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]]>As per the lunar calendar, the festival falls on the third day of the bright fortnight (Shukla Paksha) in the month of Bhadrapad. Teej coincides with the monsoon season and heralds the arrival of rains. During the Teej festival, married women pray for the longevity, prosperity and happiness of their husbands, while girls who are yet to tie the knot pray for attaining a happy married life. The Teej celebrations last for three days with each day having its own importance.
The first day of the festival is known as “Dar Khane Din” and is a time for merrymaking. Women dressed up at their best in red or bridal clothes gather at a common place to celebrate with traditional dancing and singing. They partake in a grand feast called “Dar” with a variety of foods that include rice porridge, yogurt, sel, puri, fruits and desserts. The celebrations continue until midnight after which the 24-hour period of fasting begins.
On day two, women and girls observe a strict fast without consuming even a drop of water. They visit the nearby Shiva temples and make offerings of flowers and fruits to the deities. The Pashupatinath temple in Kathmandu is thronged by a large number of devotees. Lighting of the oil lamp is considered an important part of the puja and the lamp is kept lit throughout the night to avoid any bad omen.
Rishi Panchami is the third day of the festival when women take a holy bath with the red mud from the roots of the Datiwan bush, which is believed to purify them from all sins. The seven rishis of the Hindu pantheon are then worshipped. Karkalo vegetable with rice and ghee is consumed as the major food on this day.
This year Hartalika Teej falls on Thursday 24th August. A large number of tourists from abroad have been visiting Nepal in recent years during the Teej period to experience the grand celebrations which include Teej fairs, folk songs and colorful dances. Teej in Nepal is a period of great rejoicing and also the time for strengthening the relationships between women, couples and their families.
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]]>Buddha Jayanti commemorates the three most important events in Gautama Buddha’s life – the day when he was born, the day he attained enlightenment and the day he passed into Nirvana. Hence, it is considered a thrice blessed day.
In Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha in the western Terai plains, thousands of devotees from Nepal and abroad gather and offer worship. A traditional ceremony is conducted at the Swayambhunath Stupa, the most sacred Buddhist monument in Nepal. The ashes and relics of the Buddha are brought out of the stupa and displayed on this auspicious day. Devotees circumambulate the shrine and make offerings of butter lamps, flowers, incense, candles and rice.
At the Boudhanath Stupa, which is another world heritage site in the Kathmandu valley, a large procession is taken out with an image of Lord Buddha mounted on an elephant. Hundreds of lights illuminate the stupa and present a wondrous sight to all the devotees.
Buddhist families decorate their houses for this joyous occasion and prepare a special altar with a statue or picture of Lord Buddha. Colorful flags in red, blue, yellow and white are put up on the rooftops.
Buddhists read and recite the scriptures, sutras and other important teachings of Lord Buddha. They reaffirm their faith in Panchsheel or the five precepts, comprising the basic teachings of conduct. These include respect for life (no killing), respect for others’ property (no stealing), respect for one’s pure nature (no sexual misconduct), respect for honesty (no lying) and respect for a clear mind (no intoxicants).
Caged birds and animals are bought and freed from confinement in accordance with the Buddhist teachings of ahimsa or non-violence. Acts of charity such as donating food and clothes to the needy are carried out on this day.
Buddha Jayanti is not just an occasion to celebrate the birth of Lord Buddha, but also a wonderful opportunity to imbibe his virtues and teachings into our everyday materialistic lives.
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]]>Tihar, the festival of lights, is a five-day-long Hindu festival celebrated in Nepal. Also known by the names Deepawali and Yamapanchak, Tihar is the second biggest Nepalese festival after Dashain and usually falls in the month of October or November every year. Yamapanchak, meaning the five days of Yama, honors Yama Raj, the God of Death. Laxmi, the goddess of wealth and luck is widely worshipped during this period.
Kag Tihar is the first day of the festival when crows are worshipped and offered food. Crows are considered to be the messengers of death and the belief is that by propitiating them, they would not bring any news of sorrow to the family. On the second day Kukur Tihar, dogs are worshipped as the Nepalis believe that the dog can lead the souls of the dead to heaven.
The third day is the most important day of the festival. Cows are worshipped on this day called Gai Tihar as they are believed to be a form of Laxmi. Laxmi puja is performed with great fervor by all the devout Nepalis. In the evening and throughout the night, homes are illuminated with bright lights, oil lamps and candles, with the doors and windows kept open to welcome prosperity and good fortune into the household. People enjoy themselves by lighting fireworks or playing cards.
Goru Tihar is the fourth day, when the ox is worshipped. On this day, followers of Vaishnavism perform the Govardhan puja, while people in the Newari community perform the Mha Puja and worship themselves. The last day of Tihar is known as Bhai Tika. On this day sisters adorn the foreheads of their brothers with tika as part of the ritual for their long life and good health.
This year Laxmi Puja is on 19th October, while Govardhan Puja and Bhai Tika fall on the subsequent days. Visitors to Nepal during this time can enjoy the grand Tihar festival in Kathmandu with colorful night lighting and many cultural and religious celebrations. Rani Pokhari temple, which is open to the public only on the fifth day of Tihar each year, is another attraction. The five days of the Tihar festival provide a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the Nepalese hospitality and leave with memories that last a lifetime.
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