A Taste of Culture: 4 Amazing Festivals That Await You in Nepal

There are very many good reasons to visit the country of Nepal.

For one, its landscape is something else. Consisting of breathtaking mountain views, Nepal is home to Mount Everest, the highest mountain in the world. As a matter of fact, eight of its summits rank within the world’s top ten highest mountain peaks.

Another attraction is its variety of amazing festivals. They are held all over the country and all throughout the year. They are a fun way of learning about the local people and their culture. As you plan your visit to the country, making them a part of your itinerary. You may not be sure about which festival you’d like to attend. Luckily for you, there are Nepal tour packages that you can choose from.

Take a look at four amazing festivals that are waiting for you in Nepal.

Tihar / Diwali

Tihar is the festival of lights. It is a five-day event and it takes place either in October or November, depending on the year. Each day of the event, a particular subject is celebrated. Even the animals are adorned with flowers around their necks and people wear the tilaka (a red mark worn on the forehead and between the eyebrows, usually indicating that one is of the Hindu faith). At night, the streets come alive with candles and lights, and outside the houses are decorative patterns on the floors.

Indra Jatra / Yenya

Indra Jatra is one of the big ones. It is held annually around the months of September. It is a celebration of two Hindu deities – Indra, the king of heaven, and the living goddess, Kumari. It lasts for eight days with people in costumes dancing through the streets to the sound of drums beating. There is also a procession where the chariot of Kumari passes through the streets.

Dashain

Dashain is also a big one. In fact, it is said to be the biggest and most widely celebrated festival in Nepal. It is usually held either in late September or early October. It runs for fifteen days. It is a celebration of the triumph of good over evil. On the eighth day, depending on one’s choice, sacrifices are offered at the mother goddess temples. Games are a part of this festival with things like swings, kites, and card games. Joy and goodwill fill the atmosphere.

Lhosar

Lhosar is the Tibetan New Year. “Lho” is a year in English, and “sar” means new. The Mahayana sect of Buddhism are the ones who usually observe this festival at different times, depending on the ethnic community. People visit the monasteries to worship, which have been decorated with prayer flags and other decorations. There are street parades and performances of traditional dances.

Conclusion

As you make plans to go and take in the breathtaking scenery of Nepal (whether through a trek or hike), make a point of taking part in the festivities.

With more than one hundred and twenty-five different ethnic groups in the relatively small country of Nepal, there are festivals throughout the year with different communities having celebrations. It will, therefore, be hard to miss a festival but try as much as possible to plan your tour so that it coincides with one of the big ones. Happy travels! – Travel Feeder