The Era of Festivals: Travel to Nepal in Autumn

Autumn is one of the most favorable traveling seasons in Nepal. Summer just goes away and the winter will be on its way. So, it is highly favorable traveling season. The weather will be highly suitable even for the alpine adventurous journeys. For the best weather, to get the stunning views and to get into the cultural insights of the Hindu devotees, plan your travel to Nepal in the autumn. Trek in Nepal in autumn. Enjoy your adventure activities in autumn.

This article tries to raise the important points about the cultural advantages of traveling in autumn in Nepal. Autumn is the season, when three biggest festivals of Nepal are celebrated. Teej, Dashain and Tihar are to name them. Teej is celebrated usually in August, which is a festival of Hindu women, celebrated for 3 days (but counted as 4 days). Dashain is the greatest and longest festival in Nepal, celebrated in September, which is celebrated for 15 days. But it is more significant from the 10th day. Tihar is a festival of brothers and sisters, celebrated in October, celebrated for 5 days. The 5th day is the most significant one.

 

What is the special in Teej?

 

Woman worshipping Lord Mahadev in Teej

 

Teej is important for both married and unmarried Hindu women. Unmarried girls stay fasting and worship Mahadev so that they could get the husband suitable for her, dedicated and lovely. Married women worship for the long life of their husbands. The fourth day, also known as Rishi Panchami is the final day of this festival. On this day, women go to the nearest stream or River, take a bath and participate in Puja (worship). It is believed that the relationship between husband and wife will be more stronger. For unmarried, they will get a lovely and dedicated husband. Women gather in one place and talk with their friends about their household and this and that. They feel nice to meet each other after a long time.

The 1st day- Dar Khane din

The 2nd day- fasting, singing and dancing

The 3rd day- Ganesh chaturdashi

The 4th day- Rishi Panchami

 

Women dancing in Teej Festival

 

Teej Songs are released in TV

 

The Myth

Parvati, the daughter of the Himalayas stayed fasting and worship with a wish of getting Lord Mahadev as her husband. Her strong and dedicated worship became successful. After that, Hindu women started to follow the same tradition.

 

What is Special in Dashain?

Dashain is the longest and most celebrated festival in Nepal. It is also called Vijaya Dashami or Bada Dasain. The festival represents the victory of virtues against vices,  goods over devils.

 

Tika and Jamara for the 10th Day

Dashain falls during the harvesting time. After fishing the harvesting, farmers can enjoy this festival with full of pleasure. Even those who have not harvested, will enjoy and wait to harvest right after celebrating the Dashain festival.

1st day: Ghatasthapana (the official day of the beginning of Dashain festival), worshipping in Dashain Ghar to Devi Durga Bhawani

7th day: Fulpati (Saptami)

8th day: Asthami (people sacrifice goat, who eat meat)

9th day Navami: (special worship to the powerful goddess)

10th day Vijaya Dashami: (Dashain Day) – having tika and jamara from the elders and getting blessings. (Tika is rice mixed in curd and red powder, Jamara is a young plant of maize/paddy/barley)

 

Tika and Jamara session, Dashain special

 

Photo Session after Tika and Jamara

 

The history goes with the mythological stories. When Rama got a grand victory against the devil (Ravan) Dashain has been started to celebrated. This is a festival to get blessings to be like Ram who is a good hearted person.

The victory of goddess Durga Mata over Mahishasuris equally linked to this festival, for which Durga Mata is worshipped significantly.

 

What is Special in Tihar (Deewali)?

Tihar is the festival of brothers and sisters, to make their relationship stronger. It is celebrated for 5 days. It is called Yama Panchak.

1st day: Kaag Tihar – people worship crow, feed them delicious meals as crow keeps the environment clean by eating the dead bodies and garbages.

 

 

2nd day: Kukur Tihar  - People worship Dogs as they are the most closest partner of the human beings, who help them to keep their house safe.

 

3rd day: Gai Tihar or Laxmi Pooja –  People worship Cow in the form of Goddess. They worship goddess Laxmi with full of lights and candles, who is the goddess of Wealth.

 

Worshipping Cow

 

Laxmi Puja in Tihar

 

4th day: Goru (Ox) Tihar- People worship Goru (Ox) as they help to plough the land and farmers can grow foods, fruits and vegetables.

5th day- Bhai Tika- Bother and Sister worship each other for the perfect bonding and wishing for longer life. Pancharangi Tika (5 colors) will be put on the forehead of brothers at first and then to the sisters, offering presents and delicious foods.

 

Bhai Tika in Salangghat

 

Bhai Tika

 

Ohhhh. Here goes this handsome man. Bhanjo. 

 

Deusi Bhailo in Tihar

On the day of Laxmi Pooja (3rd day), Bhailo is played. Specially, the girls visit door to door with chantings. They bless the owner of the house for wealth and prosperity and they get presents and money from them. From the 4th day, Deusi will be played. Now, all the people can join in it and Deusire begins.

 

If you want to write a research paper on any festivals in Nepal, you are welcome in autumn. Travel to Nepal in autumn to observe the festivals, to enjoy the tours, to enjoy trekking with suitable weather and excellent views, go to Nepal in the autumn for the cultural research. Autumn awaits you.