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Culture and Costumes of Nepal

Nepal is so rich in culture and customs, as it is a multi-culture, multi-religious, multi-lingual and multi-ethnic country. The diversity is unique features of Nepal.

Culture and Costumes NepalThe diverse geography, ranging from Himalayas in the north to the southern Terai [plain land] region renders it home to a wide range of culture. The customs and traditions differ from one place to another.

Kathmandu valley is the melting pot of diverse cultures and customs, therefore, the valley is also considered to be a cultural metropolis of the country. The Valley comprises of three cities namely Lalitpur, Kathmandu and Bhaktapur.

A prominent factor in a Nepali's everyday life is religion. The ethnic groups of Nepal still follow age-old customs of Hindu, Buddhist and Kirati religious practices, they have their own lifestyles.

No doubt, the customs and traditions of Nepal have added the color to the lives of Nepalese, as they celebrate the festivals with much joy. It is also said that Nepal has more number of festivals than the days in a year.

Nepal is a patriarchal society. Men usually go out to work while women are homemakers. However in cities, roles can differ. Most Nepalis abide by the caste system in living habits and marriage. Rural Nepal is mostly agrarian, while some aspects of urban life carry the glamour of the ultra-modern world.

Festival and Holiday

Nepal is a land of festivals. Only few people in the world celebrate as many festivals as the Nepalese people do. It is also said that Nepalese celebrate more number of festivals than the days in a year. The festivals of Nepal are based on lunar calendar; therefore, the festivals fall on different dates every year. Generally, the government offices and including immigration and embassies remain closed. Nepal does have system of having off day on Saturday.

Here are some lists of festivals that fall in different dates:

April [first day of Baisakh]: Nepalese new year day:

The first day of Baisakh or the new-year day of Nepal, usually falls in the second week of April. The day is observed as a national holiday, as people do celebrate the day with much joy. On the day, a famous festival called Bisket Jatra also takes place in Bhaktapur one of the cities in Kathmandu valley.

Dasain (Bijaya Dasami in Nepali):-

Dashain is the biggest and the longest festival of Hindu, but it is celebrated by all the caste and creeds across the country. This festival usually falls in early October. It is celebrated over 15 days with much joy. The main deity that is worshiped on the occasion is goddess 'Durga'. On the tenth day of Dashain, junior people visit to their seniors for tika and blessings. During the occasion, a number of animals are sacrificed in various temples and many pujas (worships) are performed.

Tihar (Festival of lamp/ Deepavali or Diwali in Nepali) :-

Tihar is another Hindu festival, which is celebrated not only in Nepal but also in India. This is also called the festival of lights. It generally falls on late October or early November. Tihar is celebrated for five days continuously, during the occasion, different kinds of animals namely crow, dog, oxen and cows are worshiped to honor their contribution to human world. On the final or fifth day, sisters worship to their brothers (Bhai) asking a long life to the god of death called Yamaraj and in return brothers also put tika to their sisters and give blessings and gifts.

Losar [New Year day of Tibetan origin]: -

Losar is New Year festival of Sherpa and people of Tibetan origin. It generally falls in mid-February. This festival is celebrated with much joy. During the occasion, people sing folk songs and dance. You can see the scene in Shoyambhu, Baudhanath in Kathmandu and Khumbu, Helamu, Tibetan refugee camps and other places where Sherpa and Tibetan origin people or Buddhist people reside.

Buddha Jayanti [birth day of lord budha]: -

Budha Jayanti is observed on the birth day of Lord Buddha. It generally falls in the first week of May. It is observed in Buddhist temples across the country, with huge program in Lumbini, the birth place of lord Budha.

Shiva Ratri [Night of lord shiva]: -

Shivaratri or the night of lord Shiva is celebrated in honor of lord Shiva. It generally falls in March. During the day a great fair takes place in Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu. People from across Nepal and India visit the temple.

Mani Rimdu: -

Mani Rimdu is the biggest festival of Sherpas living in Khumbu region. It is celebrated especially at Thyangboche monastery located in Solukhumbu district in Khumbu [3870 m]. it is the monastery situated on the highest point of earth. The festival generally falls in November. During the festival, Buddhist people do perform the dance wearing of various kinds of mask.

Besides these, there are many other festivals observed in Nepal, above mentioned are only the glimpse of some, during these festivals generally the offices in Nepal remain close, which you can spot with red color date, if you check the calendar.