Shree Ram Nawami

Lord Rama is regarded as another incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Nepalese, therefore, have deep belief and extreme faith in him. His strength, courage, purity of heart, compassion, sweetness of speech, serenity and abiding wisdom made him the favorite idol of his people.
His life story is told in the much beloved epic- the "RAMAYANA". Before the birth of Sri Ram, the world was under the reign of an evil and fiendish demon king Ravana. Ravana had pleased Lord Brahma, who bestowed on Ravana the boon that no God or demon could kill him. This gave Ravana immunity from everyone except a mortal man. Thus, to save the world from evil, Lord Vishnu took birth as Ram in the city of Ayodhya. King Dasharath, who ruled over Ayodhya, had one misery - his three queens bore him no sons. Lord Vishnu gave them nectar to drink, and soon the eldest produced Ram, the next gave birth to Bharat and the third had twins, Lakshman and Shatrughana. All four of them became exemplary youths but it was Ram who grew in grace and virile beauty. Another king Janak, who ruled over Mithila in southern Nepal, had a beautiful daughter called Sita. When she was about sixteen Janak held a great tournament wherein it was announed that the one that onw ho could string the divine bow of Lord Shiva would win the fair Princess Sita's hand. Princes and kings from far and wide tried to do it but all failed. But Lord Ram not only curved the bow but also snapped it in two. Thus, Lord Ram won the hand of Sita, who is regarded as the most exalted epitome of womanhood- beautiful, pious, loyal, gentle and modest.

Festivals From Baisakh to Chaitra

Nepali Date English Date Event Baishak April Nepali New Year Baishak April Mother's Day Baishak May Buddha Jayanti Asaar June Sithi Nakha Bhadra August Naag Panchami Bhadra August Janai Purnima Bhadra August Gaai jatra Bhadra September Krishna Jayanti Bhadra September Father's Day Bhadra September Dar Khane Din Bhadra September Teej Aswin September Indra Jatra Aswin/Kartik September/October Dashain Kartik /Mangsir October/ November Tihar Mangsir November Chat Parba Mangsir November Tulsi Bibaha Mangsir December Bibaha Panchami Magh January Maghe Sangranti Magh January Swasthani Bartakhata Suru Magh February Losar Magh February Shree Panchami Magh February Swasthani Bartakhata End Phagun March Maha Sivaratri Phagun March Phagu Purnima Chitra March Ghode Jatra

Dashain

The pleasant post-monsoon period when the sky is clearest, the air is cleanest and the rice is ready for harvesting , the Nepalese people indulge in the biggest festival of the year, Dashain. Dashain is the longest and the most auspicious festival in the Nepalese annual calendar, celebrated by Nepalese of all caste and creed throughout the country.

The fifteen days of celebration occurs during the bright lunar fortnight ending on the day of the full moon. Thorough out the kingdom of Nepal the goddess Durga in all her manifestations are worshiped with innumerable pujas, abundant offerings and thousands of animal sacrifices for the ritual holy bathing, thus drenching the goddess for days in blood.

The first day of Dasain is called Ghatasthapana, which means establishing of the holy water vessel, which represents the goddess Durga. Barley seeds are planted in it.

The seventh day or Phulapati is the offering of flowers and leaves, carried by runners from Gorkha the ancestral home of the Shah Kings of Nepal, and received by the king in Kathmandu. The eighth day is called the 'Maha Asthami'. The fervour of worship and sacrifice to Durga and Kali increases. On this day many orthodox Hindus will be fasting. Sacrifices are held in almost every house through out the day.

The night of the eighth day is called 'Kal Ratri', the dark night. Hundreds of goats, sheep and buffaloes are sacrificed at the mother goddess temples. In the darkness of the night Durga temples, army barracks, and old palaces all over Nepal hold sacrifices for the mother goddess

The tenth day is the 'Dashami'. On this day we take tika and jamara from the elders and receive their blessing.people visit their elder's home and get tika from them while younger ones come to the home to receive blessing from elders. The importance of Dasain also lies in the fact that on this day family members from far off and distant relatives come for a visit as well as to receive tika from the head of the family. This function continues for four days.