Religions and Festivals of Nepal

RELIGIONS AND FESTIVALS OF NEPAL

Nepal is a secular country. Nepal is a melting pot of different cultures and religions, and is home to some of the most vibrant and colorful festivals in the world However, Hinduism is the main religion of the Nepalese people. The trinity of Hinduism – Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva – and the pantheon of numerous other Hindu gods and goddesses are devotedly worshipped in Nepal. The female consorts of these gods are equally venerated here as the manifestation of ‘Shakti’ (power or cosmic energy). The goddesses are worshipped in different forms, such as NavDurgas (nine Durgas), AstaMatrikas (eight mother goddesses) and SaptaMatrikas (seven mother goddesses).

Buddhism is an equally important religion in Nepal. Mahayana Buddhism and Vajrayana Buddhism – a combination of Hindu and Buddhist religious faiths influenced by Tantric cult – have been followed particularly in the Kathmandu Valley since medieval times. In the high Himalayan region, Tibetan Buddhism, or Lamaism, and other forms of Nature worship are also practised by the people.

Siddhartha Gautama, later known to the world as Lord Buddha, was born in Lumbini in mid-southwestern Nepal in 6th century B.C. There are more than two dozen sites around this area which are closely related to the life of the Buddha and Buddhism.

In the course of history, Buddhism as a religion spread and became popular in the high mountain regions, mid-hills and in the Kathmandu Valley. Buddhism has profoundly influenced the Nepalese way of life, culture, arts and architecture.

Here are some of the major religions and festivals you can experience in Nepal:

Hinduism: Hinduism is the dominant religion in Nepal, with over 80% of the population following this ancient faith. The country is dotted with temples and shrines dedicated to various Hindu deities, and Hindu festivals are celebrated throughout the year.

Buddhism: Buddhism is another major religion in Nepal, and the country is home to some of the most important Buddhist sites in the world, including the birthplace of the Buddha in Lumbini. Many Nepalis practice a syncretic form of Buddhism that incorporates elements of both Hinduism and Buddhism.

Islam: Islam is the third largest religion in Nepal, and is practiced by a small but significant minority of Nepalis. There are several mosques in Kathmandu and other major cities in Nepal, and the country celebrates Islamic festivals like Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.

Christianity: Christianity is a relatively small but growing religion in Nepal, and is practiced by a small number of Nepalis as well as foreign expats and missionaries. Christmas is celebrated in Nepal as a secular holiday, with many shops and businesses decorated for the occasion.

Customs

The Nepalese way of life is regulated by religion through the performance of various rites and rituals, seeking God’s grace for the well-being of the family, prosperity and mokshya (salvation) for the self. Religious custom guides every step of a Nepalese from birth to death and beyond. Every important event in the life of a person from cradle to pyre is marked by performing certain religious rites and functions. These rituals may generally differ from community to community. A new-born child undergoes ChhaithiNwaran, the naming ceremony (6th day of birth), and Annaprasan, the rice-feeding ceremony (5th or 6th month of birth depending on whether the baby is a girl or boy). Then we have the ‘coming of age’ ceremony (gufarakhney for Newar girls at pre-puberty stage or gifting of Guneu-cholo – a set of adult female dresses. For the boys, there is the Bratabandha or Upanayana ceremony, performed before he reaches teenage when his head is shaved and given the ceremonial loin-cloth and sacred thread to wear. Thereafter, obviously, the most important event is marriage, which contains very elaborate rituals that go on for more than a day. On the death of a person, there are very solemn rites to be performed by the family.

Religious Symbols

Nepalese art is highly influenced by symbolism. The use and development of symbols in Nepalese art emerged during the medieval period when Vajrayana and Tantricism flourished in the valley. Symbols have deep rooted meaning. Above the hemispherical white dome of the Swayambhu Maha Chaitya, on each of the four sides of the square, facing the four directions, are a pair of half-closed gentle eyes and a nose depicted as a question mark. Learned scholars have interpreted the semi-closed eyes as the all-seeing eyes of the Buddha looking in all the four directions so that no one can hide any wrong doing from Him. And the nose in the form of a question mark symbolises Dharma, or Virtue, as the one path which leads all people to Sukhaavati, or the Ocean of Happiness.

Both Hinduism and Buddhism take recourse to symbolic animals and birds to represent their deities. For example, the Garuda (mythical bird) representsLord Vishnu while the rat is the carrier (baahan) of Lord Ganesh. Erotic carvings portraying the male and female in various sexual postures are a common sight in a number of Hindu temples and Buddhist vihars, or monasteries. Such erotic display in the temples and monasteries is very intriguing, but it is symbolic and carries much meaning, which only those knowledgeable in Tantricism can truthfully interpret. The Hindu gods and goddesses are known by their respective attributes, or divine weapons – again symbols with deep spiritual meaning. Among the Hindu trinity, Brahma the Creator has four heads looking in four directions to show that he sees in all directions, and hence is all-knowing. He carries a kalash – a water vessel – in one hand, which is a symbol of the Earth. The other trinity, Vishnu, holds a conch, a discus, a mace and a lotus in his four hands. The conch is the symbol of the mind and cohesive tendency; the discus signifies primeval knowledge and the notion of individual existence; the mace is the sign of causal power of illusion from which the universe arises and the tendency towards dispersion and liberation; while the lotus is the symbol of the five elements denoting the origin of existence. The third trinity, Shiva, or Maheshwar or Mahadev, has three gleaming eyes representing the sun, moon and fire. These three sources of light illuminate the earth, space and sky. It is with these three eyes that Shiva sees the past, present and future.

Similarly, Mahayana Buddhism has numerous symbols. The Vajra, or thunderbolt, symbolises the inseparable unity of wisdom and skillful means. It destroys all kinds of ignorance and is itself indestructible. Swastika,or fylfot, a kind of mystical cross, is an ancient auspicious symbol common to the Hindu, Buddhist and Jain religions. It is a symbol of good fortune. In Buddhism, it is regarded as one of the 65 divine marks (lakshan) of a great-soul (mahapurusha). The swastika symbol is found on the imprint of the Buddha’s foot. It also appears on the chest or lotus throne of some Buddha images. Hindus and Buddhists alike believe and have great faith in the eight auspicious symbols: they are the (a) Srivatsa, or endless knot or chain, (b) Dhwaja, or the victory banner, (c) Kalash, or the vase containing the nectar of immortality, (d) Chamar, or fan which drives away diseases, (e) Matsya, or a pair of golden fish, symbolising the unity of wisdom and compassion, (f) Chhatra, or the precious parasol that symbolises royalty and which protects one from evil influences, (g) Sankha, or conch, that symbolises awareness and (h) Padma, or the lotus, that symbolises purity of the body. It is believed that if the Sankha (conch) is blown with skill, the vibrant resonance can drive away evil spirits and destroy harmful germs and microbes.

There are many spiritual symbols in Nepalese culture used in different rites and rituals. Shree Yantrais one such very popular symbol. The Yantra is a mystical, systematic, geometrical (triangular) diagram depicting, in a synthetic form, the basic energies of the natural world which are represented by the deities. It represents the Universal Goddess. It symbolises the union of Shiva with Shakti (or Parvati). It is the main Yantra of Tulaja Bhavani and the Living Goddess Kumari. Each deity has its own Yantra (design) in which it dwells during the ritual use of the Yantra.Yantras are frequently used by Saktas. Shatakon, or the six-pointed star, is composed of two triangles inverted and juxtaposed against one another. The triangle is an important yantra of manifold meanings. An upward-pointing triangle symbolises Agni, or fire, and the linga, or phallus, hence, also the male principle of the cosmos, as well as Shiva and Shaivism. A downward-pointing triangle symbolises the yoni, or vagina, and the female principle of the cosmos, hence also Shakti, (also Vishnu in the female form as Mohini) and Vaishnavism. Therefore, it also symbolises the synchronisation between Shaivism and Vaishnavism.

In Buddhism, a triangle pointing upwards symbolises the Tri-ratna, or three jewels – Buddha, Dharma and Sangha. In Nepal, Shatakon also represents Saraswati, the goddess of learning. Every Buddhist shrine, temple, stupa and monument has Mani prayer wheels. On the prayer wheels, ‘Om Mani Padme Hum’, the mantra of Chenrezig, the Protector, is embossed, etched or painted on the outside. A Mani wheel, or a prayer wheel, can be big or small, free standing or in a row with many others along the walls. Its literary meaning is ‘Hail to the Jewel (or Buddha) in the Lotus’. There are numerous other symbols in Nepalese art. One of the most common is the tika, or red mark, on the forehead as a symbol of good luck, devotion to the deities and blessing of the seniors and elderly persons. It has special meaning to the womenfolk. For them, it signifies a happy married life. Hindu widows refrain from putting on a red tika, wearing red bangles and putting on red saris.

Festivals

Nepal is known for its many colorful and vibrant festivals, which are celebrated throughout the year. Some of the most important festivals include:

DASHAIN

Dashain /BijayāDaśamī is a grand festival for Nepalese. It is the longest and the most auspicious festival in the BikramSambat and Nepal Sambat annual calendar, celebrated by Nepalese people, along with their diaspora throughout the globe. It is the most anticipated festival in Nepal, Bhutan, Burma, and North Indian hills. People return from all parts of the world, as well as different parts of the country, to celebrate this festival together.All government offices, educational institutions and other offices remain closed during the festival period. The festival falls in September or October, starting from the shuklapaksha (bright lunar fortnight) of the month of Ashwin and ending on Purnima, the full moon. Among the fifteen days on which it is celebrated, the most important days are the first, seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth and the fifteenth.

Among the Newar of the Kathmandu Valley, Dashain is also called Mohani and is celebrated as the most important festival of Nepal Sambat calendar year. Among both Hindu and Buddhist Newars, it is celebrated with slight differences and interpretations, where each nine days Navaratri leading up to the 10th day called ‘Dashami’, carry special importance.The goddess Durga and her various manifestations are especially worshiped by Hindu Newars throughout the Shaktipeeths of Kathmandu Valley. Among Newars, Dashain is also important for its emphasis on family gatherings as well as on a renewal of community ties, highlighted by special family dinners called Nakhtyā and various communal processions of deities called Jātrā (throughout the three royal cities of Kathmandu Valley)

Dashain symbolizes the victory of good over evil.The Malshreedhun is incorporated into mainstream Nepalese music as the music of Dashain. It is the tune that announces the Dashain has arrived. Malashreedhun is one of the oldest surviving devotional music of Newa artform, with its origin in the 17th century.In due time and also the fact that Dashain happens to be celebrated not just by Newars but by all Nepalese, this dhoon caught up and now is part of the national culture and played during Dashain.

As Dashain approaches, kite flying becomes more and more common. Flying kites has been a very important part of celebrating Dasain in the country, as it is considered to be one way of reminding God not to send rain anymore.During the festival people of all ages fly kites from their roofs. Colorful kites and voices shouting out ‘changachait’ (this phrase is usually used when one cuts the other person’s kite string) fill the days during the festival.

Playing cards is another way of celebrating Dashain. While children are busy flying kites during Dashain, the older members of the family pass their time by getting together and playing cards with each other for money and fun.

Buying and wearing new clothes is an important part of the festival. As many people living in the villages are below the poverty line, for them it is often the case that new clothes come only with Dashain. Almost all the shops have festival offers and discounts. This makes shopping more attractive.

Bamboo swings are constructed in many parts of the country as a way of celebration. Dashian swings are called ‘ping’ in Nepali. They present the best of local culture, tradition, community spirit and fun. These swings are constructed by community members with traditional methods which use ropes made from tough grass, bamboo sticks and wood, etc. The swings are normally constructed a week before Ghatasthapana and dismantled only after the festival of Tihar which comes after Dashain. The height of some swings exceeds twenty feet. People of all ages enjoy in the swings. They are especially famous with children.

Fairs and celebrations are organized during the festival. Usually, small fairs are organized in the villages with Ferris wheels for children and other entertainment for the adults. However, in the city commercial fairs and celebrations are usually organized.

Thousands of animals including buffalo, ducks, and rams are slaughtered in Dashain every year. It has been considered an important ritual since it is believed that the goddesses are appeased by such sacrifices. Almost all the temples, especially the Durga and Kali temples, are offered with thousands of sacrifices. Ashtami and Navami are the days when the sacrifices reach a peak. While thousands of animals are sacrificed to appease the goddesses, people also slaughter animals for feasts. Since many feasts and gatherings are organized throughout the fifteen days of the festival, the demand for meat goes up considerably. To meet the demand, the slaughtering of animals becomes considerably high and necessary.

However, for the past few years, the animal rights activists in the country have been continuously opposing these acts of slaughter. They have been requesting people to stop such inhuman acts and instead have suggested them to offer fruits and vegetables to the goddesses since they believe that it is mentioned nowhere in the Hindu religious books that animal sacrifices appease the gods and goddesses.

TIHAR:

Tihar also known as Deepawali and Yamapanchak or Swanti is a five-day-long Hindu festival celebrated in Nepal and the state of Sikkim the regions of Darjeeling and Kalimpong in India where ethnic Nepalese have their presence. It is the festival of lights and clay diyas are lit inside and outside the houses at night to mark this festivity. It is popularly known as Swanti among the Newars and as Deepawali among Madhesis.

It is celebrated around the month of late October to early November every year. Set in the VikramSamvat calendar, the festival begins with KaagTihar in Trayodashi of Kartik Krishna Paksha and ends with Bhai Tika in Dwitiya of KartikSuklaPaksha every year.

Tihar is the second biggest Nepalese festival after Dashain, and is usually allocated a three-day-long national holiday. The festival is novel in that it shows reverence to not just the elders and the gods, but also to the animals such as crows, cows, and dogs that have long lived in relationship with humans. People make patterns on the floor of living rooms or courtyards using materials such as colored rice, dry flour, colored sand or flower petals outside their house, called Rangoli, which is meant to be a sacred welcoming area for the Gods and Goddesses of Hinduism, mainly Goddess Laxmi.

BUDDHA JAYANTI

Buddha’s birthday is a Buddhist festival that is celebrated in most of East Asia commemorating the birth of the Prince Siddhartha Gautama, later the Gautama Buddha, who was the founder of Buddhism. According to Buddhist tradition and modern academic consensus, Gautama Buddha was born c. 563–483 BCE in Lumbini (currently located in Nepal), and raised in the Shakya capital of Kapilavastu.

The date for the celebration of Buddha’s birthday varies from year to year in the Western Gregorian calendar, but usually falls in April or May. In leap years it may be celebrated in June.

In South and Southeast Asia, the Buddha’s birth is celebrated as part of Vesak, a festival that also celebrates the Buddha’s enlightenment and death. In East Asia, the awakening and death of the Buddha are observed as separate holidays.

In Nepal, the birthplace of Buddha, his birthday is celebrated on the full moon day of May. The festival is known by various names, Buddha Jayanti, Buddha Purnima, VaishakhPurnima, Saga Dawa, and Vesak. Purnima means full moon day in Sanskrit. Among the Newars of Nepal, especially from the Shakya clan of Newars, it is of great importance because they consider it as a continuation of the sage of the Śākyas- the clan that Lord Buddha’s family belonged to. Thus, they celebrate the festival which is in their language known as SwānyāPunhi the full moon day of flowers. The day marks not just the birth of Shakyamuni Gautama Buddha, but also the day of his Enlightenment and Mahaparinirvana.

The event is celebrated by gentle and serene fervor, keeping in mind the very nature of Buddhism. People, especially women, go to common Viharas to observe a rather longer-than-usual, full-length Buddhist sutra, something like a service. The usual dress is pure white. Non-vegetarian food is normally avoided. Kheer, sweet rice porridge is commonly served to recall the story of Sujata, a maiden who offered the Buddha a bowl of milk porridge.

Buddha Purnima is the biggest day for Buddhists because on this day, it is believed three important events of the Buddha’s life took place: his birth, his attaining enlightenment, and his death, Paranirvana. This day is known as Thrice Blessed Festival.

GAI JATRA

GaiJatra, is a festival celebrated in Nepal, mainly in Kathmandu valley by the Newar community. The festival is generally celebrated in the month of Bhadra (July-August). The date is set according to the lunar Nepa and falls on the first day of the dark four night of the month of Gunla.

GaiJatra is a festival of dancing, singing, mirth and laughter. The festival of cow is celebrated in the Kathmandu Valley to commemorate the death of loved ones. As part of the festival family members of the deceased of the past year send people mostly children dressed as cows to parade on the streets.GaiJatrais a time to remember lost ones and also to ease the pain. The word “Gai” mans cow in English. Cow is regarded as the goddess of wealth in the Hindu religion. Sharing of sorrow and taking the comfort in knowing that their lost ones are safe is the true reason of celebrating this festival.

The day is also marked with a gay parade along with many people dressed is weird clothes. In Bhaktapur the festival lasts for eight days. The origin of this celebration goes back to the reign of the Malla rulers. It is said that the Malla Queen was in mourning for a long time after the untimely death of her son. The king in an attempt to console her asked every family that lost a loved one to come out in a procession to show the queen that she was not alone with her suffering. That is why there is much joy and joking during the procession that goes through the streets.

HOLI/FAGU PURNIMA

Holi is a popular ancient Hindu festival, also known as the Indian “festival of spring”, the “festival of colors”, or the “festival of love”.The festival signifies the victory of good over evil.

Holi celebrates the arrival of spring, the end of winter, the blossoming of love, and for many it’s a festive day to meet others, play and laugh, forget and forgive, and repair broken relationships.The festival also celebrates the beginning of a good spring harvest season. It lasts for a night and a day, starting on the evening of the Purnima (Full Moon day) falling in the Hindu calendar month of Phalguna, which falls around middle of March in the Gregorian calendar. The first evening is known as HolikaDahan (burning of demon holika) .

Holi is an ancient Hindu religious festival which has become popular among non-Hindus as well in many parts of South Asia, as well as people of other communities outside Asia. In addition to India and Nepal, the festival is celebrated by Indian subcontinent diaspora in countries such as Jamaica, Suriname, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, South Africa, Malaysia, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Mauritius, and Fiji In recent years the festival has spread to parts of Europe and North America as a spring celebration of love, frolic, and colors.

Holi celebrations start on the night before Holi with a HolikaDahan where people gather, perform religious rituals in front of the bonfire, and pray that their internal evil be destroyed the way Holika, the sister of the demon king Hiranyakashipu, was killed in the fire. The next morning is celebrated as RangwaliHoli – a free-for-all festival of colours,where people smear each other with colors and drench each other. Water guns and water-filled balloons are also used to play and color each other. Anyone and everyone is fair game, friend or stranger, rich or poor, man or woman, children, and elders. The frolic and fight with colors occurs in the open streets, parks, outside temples and buildings. Groups carry drums and other musical instruments, go from place to place, sing and dance. People visit family, friends and foes come together to throw colored powders on each other, laugh and gossip, then share Holi delicacies, food and drinks. Some customary drinks include bhang (made from cannabis), which is intoxicating. In the evening, after sobering up, people dress up and visit friends and family.

TEEJ

Teej is the generic name for a number of Hindu festivals that are celebrated by women in Nepal and falls on the month between July- August. HartalikaTeej welcome the monsoon season and are celebrated primarily by girls and women, with songs, dancing and prayer rituals.The monsoon festivals of Teej are primarily dedicated to Parvati and her union with Shiva. In this festival woman follow a ritual of not eating anything for long life of her husband.

Teej refers to the monsoon festivals, observed particularly in western and northern states of India and Nepal. The festivals celebrate the bounty of nature, arrival of clouds and rain, greenery and birds with social activity, rituals and customs. The festivals for women, include dancing, singing, getting together with friends and telling stories, dressing up with henna-colored hands and feet, wearing red, green or orange clothes, sharing festive foods, and playing under trees on swings..

JANAI PURNIMA

The JanaiPurnima also known as Rakshyabandhan festival takes place on the full moon day of Shrawan i.e. ShrawanPurnima every year referring to the month of August. It is celebrated by Hindus and other Hindu related religions like Buddhist and Jainfamily. The Buddhist bath in sacred streams and visit their temples and the Brahman priests offer an ornamental thread to the wrists of their followers and in return receive gifts. Many pilgrims visit Gosainkunda and bath at the sacred lake. Mainly the people of Brahmin and chettri community change the sacred thread around their neck.

SHREE KRISHNA JANMASTHAMI

Krishna Janmashtami, also known simply as Janmashtami , is an annual Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of Krishna, the eighth avatar of Vishnu. It is observed around August or September as of the Gregorian calendar.Hindus celebrate Janmashtami by fasting, singing, praying together, preparing and sharing special food, night vigils, and visiting Krishna or Vishnu temples. Major Krishna temples organize recitation of ‘’BhagavataPurana and Bhagavad Gita. Many communities organize dance-drama events called Rasa Lila or Krishna Lila

MAGHE SAKRANTI

Makara Sankranti or Maghi, is a festival day in the Hindu calendar, dedicated to the deity Surya (sun). It is observed each year in the lunar month of Magha which corresponds with the month of January as per the Gregorian calendar and is a day the people of India and Nepal celebrate their harvest.It marks the first day of the sun’s transit into Makara (Capricorn), marking the end of the month with the winter solstice and the start of longer days.

The festivities associated with MakarSankrantialso known asMakaraSankranti is observed with social festivities such as colorful decorations, fairs, dances, kite flying, bonfires and feasts.

INDRAJATRA

IndraJātrāis the biggest religious street festival in Kathmandu, Nepal. The celebrations consist of two events, IndraJātrā and KumāriJātrā. IndraJātrā is marked by masked dances of deities and demons, displays of sacred images and tableaus in honor of the deity Indra, the king of heaven. KumāriJātrā is the chariot procession of the living goddess Kumari.

Family members deceased in the past year are also remembered during the festival. The main venue of the festivities is Kathmandu Durbar Square. The celebrations last for eight days and falls in the month of August-September.

IndraJatra was started by King Gunakamadevato commemorate the founding of the Kathmandu city in the 10th century.Kumari Jatra began in the mid-18th century.

MAHASHIVARATRI

Maha Shivaratri is a Hindu festival celebrated annually in honour of Lord Shiva. The name also refers to the night when Shiva performs the heavenly dance. Shivaratri is observed between the January-February.

It is a major festival in Hinduism, and this festival is solemn and marks a remembrance of “overcoming darkness and ignorance” in life and the world. It is observed by remembering Shiva and chanting prayers, fasting, and meditating on ethics and virtues such as honesty, non-injury to others, charity, forgiveness, and the discovery of Shiva. The ardent devotees keep awake all night. Others visit one of the Shiva temples or go on pilgrimage to Jyotirlingams. This is an ancient Hindu festival whose origin date is unknown.

Maha Shivaratri is a National Holiday in Nepal and celebrated widely in temples all over the country, but especially in the Pashupatinath temple. Thousands of devotees visit the famous Shiva Shakti Peetham nearby as well. Holy rituals are performed all over the nation. Artists from various classical music and dance forms perform through the night. On Maha Shivaratri, married women pray for the well being of their husbands, while unmarried women pray for a husband like Shiva, considered as the ideal husband. Shiva is also worshipped as the Adi Guru (first teacher) from whom the divine wisdom originates.

At Yes Yatra Tours, we believe in promoting cultural diversity and understanding. Our tours offer opportunities to experience the rich and colorful festivals of Nepal, and to learn about the many different religions and cultures that make up this fascinating country. Let us help you explore the spiritual and cultural traditions of Nepal and gain a deeper appreciation for its rich heritage.