Bisket Jatra

Four days prior to the arrival of new year began Bhaktapur’s week-long Bisket Jatra on April 9, 2018, marking the start of the solar Nava Barsha (New Year).

This is the only Nepali festival that does not follow the lunar-based Nepali calendar and is majorly celebrated across Bhaktapur and parts of the Kathmandu Valley.

In Bhaktapur, the festival begins with a special tantric ritual in the Bhairab temple in Taumadhi Tole of Bhaktapur.

Then, the main deities (Bhairav and Bhadrakali) are placed on large chariots and pulled through huge crowds across the eastern and western parts of the town before finally taking them down the steep road leading to the river. Here, a 25-m-long lingam (vertical pole) is erected as part of the ritual.

On the following day, the pole is pulled down and crashed marking the arrival of the new year.

Thimi and Balakhu also celebrate Bisket Jatra along with other festivals such as Jibro Chhedne Jatra and Sindhoor Jatra, respectively.

Whereas, the festival began on April 14, 2018 in Tokha of northern Kathmandu on the first day of New Year 2075, Baishak-1. Here, it’s a four-day event and witnesses a similar procession of carrying deities on the chariots or carts. However, the deities are Goddess Ganesha and Kumari here that are taking through the town before erecting a wooden pole (Lingo) near a Ganesh temple of Thanelachhi Chok.

Various deities are worshipped as part of the festival and the rituals are meant to ensure protection of public from evil spells.

Also see: Bisket Jatra Live

Sindhur Jatra

This is another important Nepali festival celebrated on the second day of the arrival of Nepali new year in the month of Baishak.

This is a colourful festival celebrated with orange-colored powder or vermillion and marks the arrival of spring season.

The festival celebrations include playing of Dhimey (traditional Newari musical instrument) along with dancing and walking with oil lamp. The lighting of the lamp marks the beginning of the new year.

As part of the festival tradition, locals also carry 32 khats (palanquins) across the streets of Layeku in Madhyapur Thimi. A special khat carrying the idol of Lord Ganesh comes from the village of Nagadish.

The streets are filled with colors and the public enjoyment reaches peaks when khats come closer at a point as the public throw sindhur or vermillion on each other.

The tradition also involves a tongue-boring ritual as part of Sindhur Jatra.

The post A Glance at Nepal’s New Year Festivals: Bisket Jatra and Sindhur Festival appeared first on Nepali Sansar.

2074 has really been the year of transformation for Nepal as evident in the developments the country has witnessed during the period.

Wish You a Happy New Year 2075 Nepal!

A Unique Aspect

New year for Nepal is something different from that of others as the country follows its traditional Hindu calendar called Bikram Sambat.

Nepali New Year falls in the month of Baishakh as per Bikram Sambat.

With more than 60 ethnic groups with respective cultures, languages and traditions, Nepal celebrates nine different new years in different parts of the year, reflecting its nature of unity in diversity.

However, the one that comes in the month of Baishakh is considered as the national new year and the country’s official calendar starts on that particular day which usually coincides with April 14 of the Georgian calendar.

Bikram Sambat derived its name from the Indian Emperor Vikramaditya and has been the official calendar of Nepal since times.

Now, let’s take a closer look at some of the interesting events and celebrations on the eve of Nepali New Year 2075:

PM Address to Nation

Marking the eve, the new Prime Minister of Nepal KP Sharma Oli has scheduled his first public meeting for Nepali New Year 2075 from Rara and inaugurated the Karnali Rara Tourism Year in Rara Lake.

Karnali Province

On the eve, the Karnali Province has also decided to observe the New Year 2075 as the Rara-Karnali Visit Year-2075. Towards this end, the Karnali Provincial Government has called on all domestic and international tourists to make a visit to Rara to experience the beauty of Karnali.

My New Year 2075

As part of the national health program ‘My Year 2075’, by the Ministry of Social Development ‘My Year 2075’, Province 1 i.e., Biratnagar has planned a health awareness campaign under the theme ‘Responsible for Health, Basis for Prosperity’.

Tilicho Lake

Tilicho Lake of Manang District is increasingly gaining popularity as the most-sought destination for new year celebrations.

Hundreds of people reaches out to the Lake as part of new year celebrations, every year. According to the Annapurna Conservation Area, Manang, 2074 saw around 500 domestic tourists at the lake for new year celebrations.

The number is expected to be higher for 2075, says the Chairperson of the Tourism Entrepreneur Association of Manang Binod Gurung adding that the hotels in and around the place remain packed during new year time.

Tilicho Lake is known as the world’s highest lake for its size and is a popular trek destination in the Annapurna Circuit trek.

Bhairahawa Street Food Festival

Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) has also planned a sponsored street food festival in Bhairahawa on the eve of the new year.

The festival to be held along the Belhiya-Butwal trade road is being held for the third time consecutively since the last three years at the entrance of Lumbini in Bhairahawa.

Narayangadh Food Festival

For the first time, Chitwan has hosted the ‘Narayangadh Food Festival’ on the occasion of New Year 2075. The festival that began on April 13, 2018 will continue till April 16, 2018. As many as 60 food stalls have been placed with varieties of food items. Around Rs 2.5 million is estimated to be spent during the festival.

Special Concerts

Marking the 2075 celebrations, a special musical program has been planned in Bardaghat of Nawalparasi District on April 14, 2018.

The concert will present special musical performances by various special performances by Reds Band of Chitwan, T Seven Dance Group of Sunawal, Thai DJ C Quain, Dubstar Michaeil Dancer from Kathmandu, DJ Atit from Butwal and other local artists.

For Hilly Areas

The West Bengal Newar Development & Cultural Board has planned various celebrations in the hilly areas of Nepal on the eve of the New Year 2075.

“Almost everyone in the Hills often talk about the Lakhey dance. The people know that it is a Newari dance ritual, but there are several other rituals or programmes like the Bhalakhey and the Bhucha-khacha. Our cultural unit will perform and showcase the different cultural items on the occasion of Nepali New Year-2075 on April 14 in Kurseong,” said Sunil Pradhan, Chairman of the Board.

The Board is also planning to bring Nepali Newari experts to teach different Newari traditions and culture to the people living in the hilly areas.

NRNA Portugal

For the first time in Portugal, the Non-Resident Nepalis Association (NRNA) Portugal has planned for special celebrations marking the arrival of New Year 2075 promoting Nepali folk and art.

According to the Chairman of NRNA Portugal Kuber Karki, the event is also aimed at promoting Nepali tourism in European countries.

As part of the event, various stalls promoting Nepali garments, handicrafts, products and Nepali dishes, among others will be held.

Fewa New Year Festival

Prior to the arrival of the New Year 2075, a five-day 15^th Fewa New Year Festival has begun on the banks of Phewa lake, Pokhara on April 11, 2018.

“The main attraction of Pokhara, Fewa lake is shrinking year by year due to pollution and other reasons. The festival seeks to promote tourism here by spreading awareness about the conservation of the lake at the same time,” says the Western Regional Hotel Association Pokhara (WRHA) General Secretary Ganeshraj Pahari, informing that the festival is expected to witness over 100,000 visitors.

Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) is promoting the event.

The post Nepal Welcomes New Year 2075, Celebrations Saga All the Way! appeared first on Nepali Sansar.