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.