It is Dashain time in Nepal. In Kathmandu valley, Dashain and Changa are synonymous. The common name Changa (चंगा) for the kites flown in Kathamandu literally means to be weightless, to be free in Nepali language. People also use the word when talking about feeling very relaxed and stress-free (kasto changa feel gariraheko chhu.) In
If you are wondering how to greet a Nepali – it is pretty easy. Use a common greeting word – Namaste (नमस्ते) or Namaskar (नमस्कार). The word is widely used in India (in Hindi language). In Nepal, ‘Namaskar’ is used widely. This word comes from sanskrit word, Namaskaram. Namaste (Namaskar) is a respectful form of
There is a special festival for women in Nepal – Teej. The festival has been celebrated by the women by dancing and eating delicacies. On the festival unmarried women worship Lord Shiva in hopes to find a husband like the god himself. Married women celebrate to wish the health and the long life of their
The Father’s Day in Nepal is different from that in the Western World. The Nepali calendar is Lunar calendar so, the festival doesn’t fall on the same day on the calendar. It is also called Kushe Aaunshi. The details of the festival is presented in the following video. On the Father’s Day people feed their
Today is Krishna Janmastami – the birthday of Lord Krishna. Krishna is a mythical character who is known as a multi-facade personality. A the character explained in Hindu epic ‘Mahabharat’ is a naughty child. He used to steal things from neighbors and steal milk and yogurt from his home and neighbors. He had a lovely
On August 26, 2018 some people in Nepal wear ‘Janai’ – the sacred thread – hanging from the left shoulder. Other cut their hair and path to celebrate Janai Purnima or Rishi Tarpani or Raksha Bandhan. Most of the Hindu people wear a yellow thread – the ‘Raksha Bandhan’ thread – tied around the wrist
Bagh Bhairav festival or Baagh Bhairav Jatra is celebrated on the first day of Bhadra month of Nepali calendar in Kirtipur. On the festival, the Bagh Bhairav idol, especially made for the festival, is carried on the streets of Kritipur with music playing by the traditional bands. A lot of devotees follow the idol chanting
Nag Panchami is the festival to worship Nag – snake. The snakes are scary reptile as some of them are poisonous. The snakes that are referred as Nag are usually poisonous cobra snakes. The festival is celebrated to be safe from the snakes. The people in Kathmandu go to Taudaha Lake, Naagpokhari to worship the
Before 2007, the Nepali National Anthem was about the King and the kingdom. When the parliament decided to end the rule of King in Nepal, new National anthem was adopted on August 3, 2007. A competition was held among the writers of the song before the final selection was made among the participants. The judging
There is a city named Myanglung in Terhathum district in East Nepal. The folk story is about how the place got its name. The story was a part Nepali text book, Mahendra Mala, during the Panchayat System in Nepal. The story is no longer in the course book. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmsM_XJIic4 Read the story in Nepali: An
