Fair & Festivals in Nepal

Nepal is not only the land of mountains; it is also the land of festivals.

There are more than 50 festivals celebrated in Nepal every year. While the national festivals have fixed dates, religious festivals are set by astrologers following the lunar calendar.

Dashain (बिजया दशमी) is the 15-day-long festival and holidays of Nepal. It is a National Festival of Nepal.

It is the longest and the most auspicious festival in the Nepalese annual calendar, celebrated by Nepalese Hindu people .It is not only the longest festival of the country, but also the one which is most anticipated. Dashain symbolizes the victory of good over evil.

Swanti is a five-day festival of Nepal which is one of the year's greatest celebrations; the festival is celebrated by both Hindus and Buddhists. It is the Newar version of Tihar or Diwali.

The festival highlights the central role of women in the household.

The first two days are Kwah Pujā and Khichā Pujā dedicated respectively to crows and dogs, both known as messengers of death. Goodies are left on the roof for the crows to feast upon. People honour dogs by putting a flower garland around their neck and offering them delicacies.

The third day is Sā Pujā, the day dedicated to cows. They are believed to lead the spirits of the deceased to the land of the dead.

On the same third day, householders observe Lakshmi Puja by worshipping Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth. They paste a new painting of the Goddess at the shrine installed in an inner room and worship her by making a sand painting of a mandala. All the members of the family then offer coins and venerate her.

The next day /fourth day on Mha Puja, a feast known as Thāybhu, which consists of an immense plate piled high with various food items, is offered to the Goddess.

The fifth day of Swanti is known as Kija Puja and is dedicated to brothers. Sisters honour their younger brothers with a ceremony where a mandala similar to the one used for Mha Puja is worshipped.