CHAITRA

The Ghode Jatra, festival of horse parade falls on this month. It is celebrated in joint venture from Nepal army and police with different horse shows, bicycles show and acrobatics. Culturally all the idols of Lumadi, Bhadrakali, Kankeshwori and Bhairav are brought to Ason chowk during the daytime and taken to Tundikhel during the evening. This is also the day when all these deities meet (as they are usually scattered around the different areas). Newar communities celebrate Paanchare a 3 day celebration where guests are invited to their homes for celebrations and get-together.  On the first day people clean their surroundings as a tribute to lord Lukumahadev, Khats (chariots ) are dashed among each other as to mark the meeting of the sisters near the Annapurna temple. The second day is the real Ghode Jatra and people have guests coming together at home on this day and this is also a public holiday where the event gathers huge crowd all over from Nepal to watch the spectacle (Not to forget the picture in MX paper Australia). This continues till the third day which also includes cleaning of the sewage to keep oneself free from any upcoming summer diseases. 

Now the main story behind Ghode Jatra is that it is celebrated to mark the win on demon Tundi, who had distressed the people living in Kathmandu. When he died people danced on his body with horses. Hence it is believed that the tapping of the horses keeps the spirits of the demon well below the ground. 

Chite Dashin is also celebrated on this month. It is usually celebrated as a two day event first being the Ramnawami where people fast and visit temples and the second being the dashami. It has same importance as the Dashin festival as it also marks the win of good over evil (in this case being win of lord Ram over Ravan). People get-together, have delicacies, foods and have fun.

Seto Machindranath Rath Yatra also falls in this month. Setomachindranath idol is kept in a chariot and is pulled by people to various locations. The idol is also taken to its mother's place in Gabahal where it circles the temple three times. People come to worship the Mother and Son at this yearly event and lite 108 diyos (lamps).