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...

Halesi is one of the ancient and holiest places of Nepal. It is equally popular among Hindu, Buddhist and Kirati.  The situation in the eastern part of Nepal, Mahadev Mahadev is religious as well as touristic place. It believed another Pashupatinath in eastern Nepal. The natural and huge cave is the main attraction of Halesi Mahadev. The...

Krishna Janmashtami is known through many different names like Gokulashtami or just simply Janmashtami. This festival is celebrated to commemorate the birth of Krishna, who is the 8th avatar of the trinity of Hinduism, Lord Vishnu.  This festival falls on the 8th day of the Krishna Paksha which is also called the dark fortnight. It falls on Shrawan of the Hindu calendar...

2563 Buddha Jayanti namely Baishak Purnima is celebrated yearly in Nepal to mark the birth of Siddhartha Gautam. Siddharth Gautam also known as Lord Buddha was born 253 years ago in Lumbini Nepal. On this day he had acquired knowledge and Mahapari Deshavanan. Siddhartha, born in the form of...

Mother's Day in Nepal Mothers are symbol of love, strength and sacrifice. As a culturally and traditionally rich country, Nepal celebrates Mother's Day (Aamako Mukh Herne) on the month of Baishak marked on Baishakh Krishna Aunsi of the Nepali calendar, known as Matatirtha Aunsi. On...

Seto Machhendranath, also known as Janabahaa Dyo, Aryaavalokitesor, Karunamaya and Lokesor is believed to have the capacity to relieve living beings of any kind of suffering and is accredited as the rescuer of every creature on Earth. The chariot festival (Rath Jatra) begins after the idol of...

Abira Ya Holi Taanchayala Lyase Abira Changu Khwa Hissi Dekabi (Let me smear some vermilion powder on your face girl and don’t get angry as it is holi. Vermilion powder will make you face beautiful. ) Among many songs...

A total of 200 Nepali and international artists representing seven different countries performed across six stages in and around the bustle of Ason. And the occasion was ‘Echoes in the Valley’ (EITV). This is a free biennale music festival that strives to uncover, revive and make relevant Kathmandu’s intangible heritages and disappearing sounds. It aims at transforming...

Every year 28 ft tall bamboo pole is erected at Basantapur, Kathmandu. This is done on every Falgun Shukla Pakshya Astami to mark the beginning of the century old ritual Holi. Hindus celebrate this festival of colors with great enthusiasm. And the main celebration begins a week after the erection of this pole. This year it has been erected on March 14....