BHADRA भाद्र

This month holds many festivals as well. Starting from Krisnha Asthami (कृष्ण जन्माष्टमी), which is the birthday of Lord Krishna on this Earth. Success of truth over sin and agricultural motivation is the main message of the lord. On this day there is massive celebration in the Krishna Mandir of Patan, Mangalbazar. 

Bhimsen Jatra (भिमसेन जात्रा) is celebrated to mark the birthday of Lord Bhimsen (भिमसेन), the god of strength. On this day lord Bhimsen of Patan, Mangalbazar (back of Krishna Mandir described above) is taken out for Jatra.

We also have father's day on this month. It is known as Kushi Ausi (कुशी औसी). Mothers are considered as the image of love where as father is considered guru (teacher). All fathers are pampered this day by fruits, good food, gifts and sweets and there is massive fair celebrated in Gokarna, Kathmandu. Every person has responsibility towards their mother, teacher and nation and because every father teaches their child about their life since birth, hence fathers are pampered on this day as a thanks giving of their knowledge and support.

Another festival celebrated in this month is Hari Talika Teej (हरि तालिका  तीज) (picture 3). This is one of the important festival for Nepalese women. According to traditional belief it is considered that on this day goddess Parvati had fasted and performed puja to have lord Shiva as her husband. So, unmarried women fast on this day to wish for good husband and married women keep fasting for their husband's longer life and success. Women from different households come together and celebrate by wearing red, dancing and singing for lord Shiva in which men are not allowed. Women do not eat nor drink during this fasting, therefore daughters go to their homes and eat a feast along with their family getting ready for the fasting.

In Newari culture they celebrate CHATHA (चथा) which is celebrated by both male and females. People fry mixture of 9 grains consisting of rajma, maize, gram, wheat etc. in HAADI and eat. 

After Teej, another important occasion for women is RISHI PANCHAMI (ऋषि पंचमी) (picture 1) which falls on the next day or the day after Teej. It is mainly done to keep oneself clear of all the sins committed in the past 365 days. Women go to holy priests and chant for forgiveness of their sins. Washing and cleaning of whole body (each part) is performed 365 times, once for each day of the year. 

  

SHRAWAN श्रावन

This is the most busy month in our culture. It starts with SHRAWAN श्रावन sankranti which is the time when all the married daughters are invited to house for feast and upcoming festival Dashin. We celebrate Gathyanmugal, the first picture is of the celebration. It is celebrated to remember the death of "Ghantakarna" i.e. Gathyanmugal ghost who used to trouble people in ancient times. Another special occasion we celebrate is the Naag Panchami (the third picture above) where everyone puts the picture in their entrance door with the  help of holy cow dunk. Then comes 'Janai Purnima' where everyone wears the holy thread from priests for saving oneself from their sufferings and ill health. 

Gai Jatra (गाई जात्रा) festival started from Bhaktapur around 300 years ago. Bhaktapur's king Pratap Malla's son had died which left the queen mourning for days. This made the king very sad and to make her understand that there is not only her son that was dead in the community but other country men as well, hence the festival was encouraged to all the people in the kingdom. This also marks the freedom of people to express themselves to the king including their dissatisfaction prevailing in the community and the system. Cows are regarded holy and is considered to take souls to heaven which is why on this day cows are strolled on the street and people/households who don't have cow make mask and are worn by the children. It is now celebrated in Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Lalitpur.

  

AASADH अषाढ़

AASADH अषाढ़ is one of the important month in the Nepalese calendar. This is the month when we plant our important cash crop "Rice". The weather is suitable for the production and increases productivity and paddy is collected after 5 months in MANGSHIR (मंशिर). Halfway through the month we celebrate "Dhai Chyaura" दही चियुरा to have fun for all the hard work done so far. It also has a scientific meaning as yogurt  is beneficial  to body and provides protein for better health. 

JESTHA जेष्ठ

The important day of this month according to the Nepalese calendar is the BAISAKH बैसाख  purnima पूर्णिमा (full moon day of May 623 B.C) which falls on this month. This is the day when Prince Siddhartha was born who later with his enlightening knowledge is known as BUDDHA around the whole world. He left his kingdom and wealth in search of meaning for life, the reason behind sufferings and death. As a result he brought forward the principles of non-violence, peace and human solidarity.

On this same day there people in Banepa celebrate Chandeshwori (चंदेश्वोरी) Jatra. Chandeshwori (चंदेश्वोरी) has its own traditional meaning. In local language" SHI" means wood, "CHAU" means decaying, so when the wood was decaying a goddess structure was formed which is now called or known as Chandeshwori (चंदेश्वोरी). 

Sithi Nakha is celebrated in this month as well. Nature's gifts such as ponds, lake and man made water sources such as wells, taps and stone taps (Dhungedhara) etc. are yearly cleaned to increase their life and sustainability. It is essential to preserve these sites for its continuity and is also essential for the environment. Especially celebrated by Newari Cultures the cleaning is followed by Newari foods and celebration. It is estimated that there are 750 water sources in Kathmandu including stone taps, lakes, ponds and wells and cleaning these sources are essential not only from the Newar communities but from all Nepali as well. Among the 750 water sources the most popular's are Rani Pokhari, Naag Pokhari, Gahana Pokhari, Kamal Pokhari, Siddha Pokhari, Dwi Maju Pokhari, Pulchwok Pokhari, Chandi Pokhari etc. Among these Sapta Patal Pokhari of Pulchwok has ancient history to it. It is the pond where Patan's Machhindranath Raath is concluded to let Indra (god of heaven) know about the conclusion by throwing(as in letting it fly) sparrow towards the sky and introducing a fish in the pond for its lifecycle. 

NEPAL ko PAHILO नेपालको पहिलो

- First king of Nepal

- Yalambar.

- First preacher of peace 

-Siddhartha Gautam Buddha.

- First Nepalese to showcase Nepal's culture and skill in International ground

- Aruniko.

- First Nepalese to participate in global poets assembly (RUSSIA)

- Maha Kabi Laxmi Prasad Devkota.

- First Nepalese to step on mount Everest

- Tensing Norway Sherpa.

- First person to record song in Radio Nepal

- Kohili Devi

- First person to talk live to listeners using phone through Radio

- Pandav Sunuwar.

- First person to showcase world news through Nepal Television

- Durganath Sharma.

- First pop singer of Nepal

- OM Bikram Bistha.

- First martyr of Nepal

- Lakhan Thapa.

- First tourism business owner

- Basanta Shah.

-  First Prime minister of Nepal

- Bhimsen Thapa.

- First scientist of Nepal

- Gahendra Samsher Rana.

- First Nepalese Prime minister to participate in international political assembly

- Janga Bahadur Rana (1903)

- First woman minister

- Dwarika Devi Thakurani.

- FIrst Nepali woman to step on Mt. Everest

- Pasang Lamu Sherpa.

- First blind person to do PhD

- Dr Kumar Thapa (Nepali and Political science).

- Nepal's first President

- Dr Ram Baran Yadav

- Nepal's first teleserial

- Shree Panch Bada Maharaj Dhiraj Prithivi Narayan Shah (lead role played by Laya Shangraula).

- First Nepalese movie made in Nepal.

- AAMA (lead played by Shiva Shankar Shrestha and Bhuvan Chand).

- First colour movie of Nepal

- Kumari.

  

  

BAISAKH बैसाख New Year

As we mark the start of new year on January first according to the AD calendar but it is on this April 15 that we celebrate Nepalese new year according to our BS calendar. It signifies the start of new year of 12 months long year ahead. On this day there are around seven important Jatra performed by seven villages within the valley, including Madhyapur THIMI (sindur jatreसिन्दुर जात्रा), BODAE and SIDDHIPUR. Among these Jatra's "BODAE's" jastra has considerable impact among the people as it is on this day that a real and alive human being is pierced with one long needle that stops the person from closing his mouth. 

 Acchaya Tritya (अक्षय तृतीया) falls on this month as well. The basic meaning of the Acchaya Tritya (अक्षय तृतीया) means something that will never end and be endless. It is because there is a belief that Lord Shiva  (शिव) and Parvati (पर्वती) had married on this day and therefore anything that is done on this day will keep continuing forever. On this day, special occasions like marriage, naming ceremony etc. can be performed without any doubt and wheat flour and holy water (Sherbet) is consumed. There is also jatra performed in Lubhu (लुभू) of Shree Mahalaxmi  (श्री मालक्ष्मी) and Shree Mahabhairab ( श्री महाभैरबको) during this time.

AAMA (आमा) the word comprises of two words "AA" (आ) meaning AATMA (आत्मा) and MAA(माँ) meaning MAYA (माया). Therefore the person who listens the first heart beat of the soul and loves unconditionally as their offspring is called AAMA (आमा). On this day as per tradition,  people pamper their mothers by giving them sweets, fruits and fine food. For people without their mother, there is mela in Mata thirta kunda (lake) on this day. There is a saying that Lord Bishnu show their mothers reflection on the lake to make his devotees happy.

So wish you a very happy new year and keep celebrating our culture and traditions. JAI NEPAL!!!!!!      

Nepali Topi नेपाली टोपी Dhaka (ढाका) Bhatgaule (भातगाहुले)

Nepali Topi नेपाली टोपी can be categorised into two main categories, the top is the Dhaka (ढाका) where as the bottom one is the Bhatgaule (भातगाहुले)  topi. The most popular is the Dhaka (ढाका) topi and is the part of our national costume. The topi signifies head held high as the Everest, bold as the Himalayas, colourful as our national bird Danphe (डांफे) and hence is the pride of our country that incorporates much of its beauty. It is worn by all the people around the country. It is considered as luck to keep it in your head in all occasions and is usually only taken off when there is sorrow in the family.   

Dhido (ढिडोँ)

Dhido (ढिडोँ) defines the food that is made by boiling hot water and continuously mixing flours of maize and other grains like buckwheat. This is Nepal's traditional food and is still consumed world wide with great pride. It is also healthy compared to rice that is consumed daily in the Nepalese household. Nepal is an agricultural country and every household grows maize and buckwheat for food. It is with the flour of maize and other grains that Dhido (ढिडोँ) is made. Since these are dry so cooking them takes quiet a long time and continuous effort of constant stirring. 

Method of making Dhido (ढिडोँ) 

serves two people

1 litre water

250g maize flour/ buckwheat

20ml ghee

Method:

Boil the water in a deep container. Slowly keep the flour into the water and stir constantly with a cooking spoon. keep the ghee and keep stirring the mixture constantly for 5-7 minuets. If the colour of the mixture changes to brown we can make sure that the Dhido (ढिडोँ) is cooked.