Cultures

Marrying the Bel Fruit: Ihi Growing up in a society leads to following the values and beliefs that society follows. Nepal has rich cultural diversity. In this sense each community performs unique rituals and customs while living in a community. One such ritual is Ihi or Bel Bibha. This is a ritual in which girls...

Maha Dev or Lord Shiva is the mightiest God among all gods in Hindu religion. And Shivaratri which literally means ‘night of the Shiva’ is one major festivals of Nepal. Celebrated on the 14th day of the dark fortnight, devotees fast for the entire day. Either they opt for Nirjala Brat (fast without consuming even water) or Do Nirahar Vrat (fast...

New Year is filled with anticipation and excitement. It could be the time to have favorable opportunities falling into your lap to broadening your horizons in unimaginable ways. And among many New Year celebrations celebrated in Nepal, Tamu Lhosar is one that falls during the month of December. Tamu Lhosar is a festival of Gurung community, which...

Nepal is home to numerous gods and goddess. Elders are respected as gods here. And there are many rituals and ceremonies that are dedicated to the deceased ancestors. Among them Bala Chaturdashi is one of the important day for the Hindus. This festival is celebrated for the welfare of the departed soul. It is believed in Nepal that for one...

Along with the preparation of Balachaturdashi, Indrayani Jatra (festival) too happens in parallel way. Goddess Indrayani, also known as Lunti Ajima, is one among eight Mother Goddesses of Astamatrika — Bhramayani, Rudrayani, Barahi, Kumari, Baishnavi, Chamunda and Maha Laxmi—in Shakta cult. Meanwhile, Kathmandu valley which in ancient days also known as Nepal and the dwellers here believe in Shakti...

With the month of December, lights and decoration around the town hints the heralding festival —Christmas—celebrated on December 25. And everyone likes the decoration whether one is a Christian or not. Christmas is celebrated to remember the birth of Jesus Christ, who Christians believe is the Son of God.  While understanding the etymology of Christmas, the name 'Christmas' comes...

Sita is one among many national heroes of Nepal. Sita is ever exalted as the highest example of womanhood—beautiful, pious, courteous, loyal and unassuming. To her birthplace in Janakpur in southern Nepal thousands upon thousands come from all over India and Nepal to celebrate her marriage to Lord Ram each year on the fifth day of the waxing moon...

Each month Nepali people celebrate different kinds of festivities and with the beginning of the month Magh. Nepalis celebrate the festival Makar Sankranti also known as Maghe Sankranti or Maghi. This is the festival of Sun God who is believed to be the symbol of power, divinity and wisdom. Maghe Shankranti falls on the month of Magh, mid of January in Gregorian...

Of the many Macchendra idols in the valley, Seto Macchendranath of Kathmandu comes second in popularity. The first one is the famous Rato Machhendra in Patan. Some believe these two idols represent the same god. But most consider them sisters endowed with both male and female aspects. Even though they be male in appearance and Buddhist scripture. Each is paraded annually through...

Ubhauli Parba is Kirat community’s (Rai, Limbu, Yakha and Sunuwar) one of the important festivals. The Kiratis are the inhabitants of the eastern hilly regions – Bhojpur, Khotang, Dharan and Dhankuta. They celebrate the festival by worshipping their kitchen, sacred religious sites and earth. They are also known as the nature worshipper. The festival is celebrated on Baisakh...