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Tag: festival
Bhoto Jatra – Farewell to the Rain God
Kathmandu is celebrating 'Bhoto Jatra' today. With Bhoto Jatra the month long chariot festival of the valley's rain god, Rato Macchendranath comes to an end today in Jwalakhel, Lalitpur. After beginning his journey on a full moon day in a decorative wooden chariot, pulled by local devotees, the god visited all the important localities of Patan and ended his journey today at Jwalakhel with the showing of the Bhoto(vest). That the rain god has been appeased and the valley has been blessed is evident from the heavy downpour that the valley has been recieving the last couple of days.
Namche Festival 2012
Namche Festival 2012 will be held from 27th to 29th May, 2012 at Namche Bazaar in Everest Region. The inauguration of the festival coincides with the Fifth International Sagarmatha Day. Namche Festival will feature cultural programs (folk dances, songs, masked dance etc. and will showcase the rich cultural heritage of the Sherpas living in the Solu Khumbu region. The festival will also provide a platform to raise public awareness on the adverse impact of climate change.
Namche Bazaar – Sherpa capital (Pic: Explore Himalaya)
Tamang Festival in Kathmandu
Tamang community in Kathmandu will be oragnzing Tamang Festival in the capital from May 10–12, 2012.The festival will be held in Tundikhel to mark Buddha Jayanti. According to the organizers, the festival will showcase the indigenous culture of the Tamangs through cultural programmes and discourses on the practices of Buddhist philosophy in the social, cultural and religious activities of the Tamang community.
(Pic; Explore Himalaya)
Tamangs of Langtang Valley
Experience Tamang Culture by trekking through the Tamang Heritage Trail
Ghode Jatra
Kathmandu is celebrating 'Ghode Jatra' or the 'Festival of Horses' today. The valley denizens believe that the festival is observed to celebrate the downfall of a wicked demon named Tundi who used to reside at Tundikhel and terrorize the people. After his death people celebrated by riding horses over his dead body. People believe that the sound of the horses’ hooves keeps away the demon’s spirit. So every year during "Ghode Jatra" horsemen from the cavalry unit of the Nepal Army ride down the length and breadth of Tundikhel(a ground located in central Kathmandu) during the festival.
Happy Holi!
Phagu or Holi the colourful spring festival will be celebrated tomorrow. Like most Hindu festivals this festival too celebrates the victory of good over evil. Explore Himalaya wishes one and all a very colourful and fun-filled but safe Holi.
Saga Dawa Festival – 4th June 2012
"Saga Dawa” is an important Tibetan Buddhist festival, held each year on the full moon day of the fourth lunar month of the Tibetan calendar. This festival is observed to celebrate Sakyamuni's (Lord Buddha) enlightenment and many Buddhist pilgrims, tourists and researchers from different parts of the world visit Tibet during this time. The ‘Saga Dawa’ festival demonstrates how religion and spirituality is deeply imbedded in the lives of Tibetans. Though celebrated all over Tibet, the festival is mainly observed at Tarboche in Mount Kailash. Tibetans travel from their hometowns and villages to Tarboche carrying their own flags. On the day of the festival the existing flagpole is replaced by a new flagpole where people attach their flags. The flagpole should stand perfectly upright after it is erected, or else locals believe that something unfortunate may happen in Tibet. The whole ceremony is led by a Lama from the nearby monastery.
If you wish to witness this wonderful cultural event, Explore Himalaya Travel and Adventure is organizing a fixed departure tour focusing on ‘Saga Dawa’ festival. You can combine your visit with a tour to Lhasa and Everest Base Camp (North Face). Pilgrims who do not wish to visit Lhasa or Everest Base Camp can directly drive back to Kathmandu with our Nepali supporting crew member.
For fixed departure date & tour cost contact- kailash@explorehimalaya.com, vivek@explorehimalaya.com.
Flagpole at Tarboche at the base of Mt. Kailash (Pic: Explore Himalaya)
Mount Kaialsh Tours
Mahashivaratri
Mahashivaratri (Lord Shiva’s Night) will be observed tomorrow. Pilgrims from all over Nepal as well as India are already thronging Gaushala, the site of the Pashupatinath Temple, the holiest shrine in Nepal dedicated to Lord Shiva.
More info at Mahashivaratrti – The Night of Lord Shiva.
