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Nepal Festivals
Every temple has a story. Within it lies a deity who has provided some boon to its devotees. His/her celebration is an act of acknowledging their righteous act and reliving history. The Newars added pomp and flare to this celebration with mammoth chariots, traditional tunes and communal merrymaking.
Even though an imitation, over the years, the festival of Seto Matsyendranath has created its own identity. It has developed various symbols and is a timeless heritage of Kathmandu. Today it is known as Jana Baha Dyo (God of Jana Bahal of Ket twah). The idol is viewed as Aryavalokiteswara (God of compassion) by devotees.
Commonly referred to as Sindoor Jatra, it is also known as Biska Jatra of Thimi. It is one of the most vibrant festivals celebrated in Kathmandu Valley. The highlight is the ceremonial use of vermilion powder which adds a new layer of pomp and flair. The locals rejoice for four days during the new year period, devotees offer prayers and worship various gods and goddesses.
Yomari Punhi, a Newari festival in Nepal is celebrated every year by Newari Communities marking the end of the rice harvest during the full moon day of November/December. It is said that eating Yomari or Yamari, a steamed dumpling made with rice flour with sweet such as Chaku inside takes away the cold.
Majipa Lakhey in Newar mythology is the protective deity of all children in the Valley. During the annual festival of Indra Jatra, the dance of Majipa Lakhey is performed by the clan of Ranjitkars of Kathmandu with a traditional drum (Dhime) and a pair of Bhusya (pair of cymbals) with straps to fasten around the wrists. Devotees during the dance performance try to manage a touch the Lakhey’s rich display to take the blessings.
Indra Jatra, one of the highly celebrated street festival in Nepal marks beginning of the festival season and the beginning of a tourist season in Nepal. The festival is celebrated in the oldest town Basantapur Durbar Square or Hanuman Dhoka in Kathmandu by the local community with huge arrangements. The chariot of Kumari, the Living Goddess, is taken out in procession through the streets. People wear masks of various goddess and exhibit by dancing in the streets on music played with traditional musical instruments.
The festival of Mataya is one of the most important festivals in the Newar community in Patan. A unique Buddhist festival, during when men and women in a comical attire carrying candles and torches, traditional musicians playing merry rhythms walk to almost all the temples, stupas and monasteries in and around the old city of Lalitpur.
The legend of a jewel-studded vest (Bhoto) that came into possession of a priest when no one came to claim with evidence to whom it belongs. Today, the same Bhoto is displayed ending the month-long celebration of Rato Matsyendranath Festival in Lalitpur. And it is said, Bhoto is shown every year to the public as of an announcement to claim for it.
The legend of a giant chariot festival began with the Kingdom that drought for years causing misfortune and chaos as a result of disrespect to Gorakhnath. And, how Matsyendranath through devout and prayer, guru of Gorakhnath protected the valley with rain for the harvest, pulling the chariot and celebrating the coming of Lord Karunamaya.
