puja in pashupatinath temple

Importance of doing Puja In Pashupatinath Temple
Pashupatinath temple (Oldest and Largest Shiva Temple In World), the holiest pilgrimage site for Hindus, a unique heritage site for archaeology enthusiasts, and a charming and lively site for protectors and promoters of religion and culture.
Lord Shiva represents the aspect of the Supreme Being (Brahman of the Upanishads) that continuously dissolves to recreate in the cyclic process of creation, preservation, dissolution and recreation of the universe. Lord Shiva is the third member of the Hindu Trinity, the other two being Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu.

Importance and Significances:
Culturally, Pashupati is the centre-point of faith and respect of not just Hindu, but also Buddhist, Jain, Sikh, etc. Pilgrims as well as tourists come to Pashupati from all over the world, averaging 4,850 of them/day (2052 B.S.). Festivities like Mahashivaratri, Teej, etc. are celebrated with great enthusiasm.
The words destroyer and destruction have been erroneously associated with Lord Shiva. This difficulty arises when people fail to grasp the true significance of His cosmic role.
The creation sustains itself by a delicate balance between the opposing forces of good and evil. When this balance is disturbed and sustenance of life becomes impossible, Lord Shiva dissolves the universe for creation of the next cycle so that the bad souls will have another opportunity to liberate themselves from bondage with the physical world. Thus, Lord Shiva protects the souls from pain and suffering that would be caused by a dysfunctional universe. In analogous cyclic processes, winter is essential for spring to appear and the night is necessary for the morning to follow.
By worshipping Pashupatinath, wealth, grandeur and prosperity are achieved physically and spiritually and it is said that if a childless couple do puja and make vow to Pashupatinath they will get child. Likewise when did puja at this temple worshipper will be bestowed with all his /her desire come true. Devotees visiting the shrine usually worship Pashupatinath with flowers, garlands, fruits, incense, akshata (whole rice grains) barley, vermilion etc. Since Pashupatinath is the form of Shiva-Shakti, red flowers is considered pleasing to Him. And, leaves and fruits of Bel and Dhatura (Dhatura stramonium) are most dear to Lord Shiva. Sweets are generally not offered, although it is not a taboo, since Shiva is an ascetic here.
Daily Puja at Pashupatinath temple:
Every morning the west door of the sanctum is opened by the Bhandaris (store-keepers) at 4 AM, from when worship begins. At half past nine in the morning the other three doors are also opened. After bathing the lingum with holy waters, sacred worship by Panchamrit Abhishek (consecration by ghee, milk, honey, sugar and curd) is done by the priests. During the time the lingum is elegantly dressed up in gorgeous costume, made of brocade and set with tripunda (sandal paste mark) Chattras (umbrellas) are also placed on the four heads. On the top head, the graphic Shri Yantra is drawn with sandal paste.Arti is performed then. Later Bhog is offered. After this Individual puja has been done for the public who would like to do special Puja at temple.
Drashan can be done any time from 4 A.M to 12 noon. From 12:00 noon to 5:00 PM, temple closes. At 6 pm Rudravishekam is done as mention above and from 6:30 to 7:00 P.M, client special puja is performed. In the evening Arti is performed exactly as morning methods.
Special worships are done on festivals i.e. full moon day (Purnima) the Ekadasi (The eleventh day of the new and full moon fortnights), every Monday and other auspicious days of the year like mahashivaratri, Teej, etc. Mahashivaratri, Hindu devotees on this night throng Shiva shrines everywhere, but the grandest of all activities revolve around Pashupatinath temple located on the banks of the sacred Bagmati River about three kilometers east of downtown Kathmandu. This all-night vigil and the exciting crowded festival days before and after attract thousands of people from India and Nepal. On this day women do fasting for prosperity, happy life, etc.
DEVOTEES PUJA AT TEMPLE
As puja can carried out any time as per wish of devotees, you can visit Pashupati temple any time. Those devotees who cannot able to visit the temple, we Rudra Bhandar would provide these services. There will not be any charge for services from us. The puja will be done with full amount that our customer Provide us. 80% of the amount we received from our customer will be spent on purchasing the Necessary Items needed for Puja (like Curd, ghee, milk, flowers, Rice, etc.) 10 % of total amount of money is donated to Temple and rest 10% will be given to Pundit (Priest of Temple) for doing puja in manner of vedic ways.
Method and Purpose Of Puja:
Puja is a ceremony in which the ringing of bells, passing of flames, presenting of offerings and chanting invoke the devas and Mahadevas, who then come to bless and help us. Puja is our holy communion, full of wonder and tender affections. It is that part of our day which we share most closely and consciously with our beloved Deity. It is believed that worshiping god fulfills unfulfilled desires and bring more prosperity.

Pashupatinath temple

The magnificent temple of Lord Pashupatinath about 5 kms north-east of Kathmandu, is situated amidst many other temples on the right bank of the river Bagmati. Pashupathinath is the guardian spirit and the holiest of all Shiva shrines in Nepal. Lord Shiva is known by many different names; and Pashupati is one. Pashu means leaving beings, and Pati means master. In other words Pashupati is the master of all living beings of the universe. This is how lord Pashupati is eulogized in the Vedas, Upnisada and other religious books. Legends are numerous as to how the temple of Lord Pashupatinath came to existence here. As stated in chronicles, the image of Lord Shiva in the form of Jyotirlinga was covered with earth over the years, and soft green grass sprouted over it. Further, as the legend goes, a cow used to come here mysteriously every day and offer her milk to this holy but hidden Linga of Lord Shiva.
When the Gwala (owner) saw that the cow had stopped giving milk since the last few days he started keeping eye on her; and finally came across the place where the cow used to offer her milk. With a natural curiosity to know the importance of the place, where his cow used to make offering of her milk, the gwala dug the place and found the Jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva.
After this number of gwalas gathered to worship this Linga according to religious conformity, starting the tradition of worshipping this Linga. As the time passed Lord Pashupatinath started gaining more and more popularity and reverence of the devotees as a guardian spirit and gradually the temple of Lord Pashupatinath became a great place of pilgrimage. The rulers of Nepal, over centuries made contributions in enriching and beautifying this holy temple. According to Gopalraj Vamsavali, the oldest ever chronicle in Nepal, this temple was built by Supus Padeva, a Linchchhavi King who according to the stone inscription erected by Jayadeva 11 in the courtyard of Pashupatinath in 753 AD happened to be the ruler 39 generation before Manadeva (464-505 AD).
Yet, there is another chronicle which states that this temple was in the form of Linga shaped Devalaya before Supus Padeva constructed a five storey temple of Pashupatinath in this place. As the time passed, the need for reparing and renovating this temple arose. It is learnt that this temple was reconstructed by a mediaeval King named Shivadeva (1099-1126 AD). It was renovated by Ananta Malla adding a roof to it. As described in the history, this temple was attacked and badly destroyed by Sultan Samsuddin of Bengal in the mid 14th Century. This plunder caused so much damage to the temple that it needed reconstruction. It was only after ten years, in 1360 AD, that it could be reconstructed and renovated by Javasimha Ramvardhana. Another renovation work here after was taken up by Jyoti Malla in 1416 AD. The present architectural nature of Pashupatinath temple came into existence as a result of renovation by queen Gangadevi during the reign of Shivasimha Malla (1578-1620 AD). The temple of Lord Pashupatinath stands in the middle of an open courtyard. It is a square shaped pagoda temple built on single platform measuring 23.6 meters from the ground.
There are gold gilt doors on all the four sides of the temple. Inside the temple there is a narrow walk engulfing the sanctum from where one can have closer view of Shivalinga. On the both sides of each door of the temple there are artistic niche of different sizes containing attractiv images of Apsara, Ashtha Bhairava and other gods and goddesses. These images and niches, painted with gold enhance the grandeur of the temple. The latticed windows below the roof are another elements of attraction. The struts supporting the roofs and depicting the image of different postures are equally alluring. The gold gilt images of birds in flying posture in all the four corners of the roof and the winged images of lion, griffin, Ajarapurusa and Mahanaga on the struts in all the corners of the temple present soaring beauty to the temple. On the upper part of the struts supporting the lower roof, the images of moon, sun and a Purna-Kalasha are carved out.
This Purna Kalasha is worshiped as a symbol of Guheshwori. In the sanctum of the temple, there is a very attractive, about three feet high Shivalinga with four faces. All these faces have different names and significance. The face facing east is known as Tatpurusha and the one facing south as Aghora. Similarly, the faces looking west and north are known by the name Sadhyojata and Vamadeva respectively. The upper portion of this linga is known as Ishan. These faces are also defined as the symbol of four dharmas (the most famous places of pilgrimage for Hindus) and four Vedas (sacred books of Hindus). The images of Vishnu, Surya, Devi and Ganesh are also placed in the sanctum of the temple .Pashupati area is regarded as one of the most important places of pilgrimages for the followeres of Hinduism. Thousands of devotees from within and outside the country come to pay homage to Pashupatinath every day. And on special occasions like Ekadasi, Sankranti, Mahashivratri, Teej Akshaya, Rakshabandhan, Grahana (eclipse), Poornima (Full moon day) people congregate here in far greater number.
Pashupatinath is not only the holiest Hindu pilgrimage in Nepal but also one of the holiest destinations in the entire world. This temple that has been declared UNESCO Heritage site has been erected and razed to the ground numerous times. There are lingam images of Shiva along with statues and temples dedicated to other deities in the complex. There is historical evidence that a temple dedicated to Shiva existed at this site in AD 879. What happened of that temple, nobody knows. However, King Bhupatindra Malla built the present temple in the year 1697. The present temple is the subtle work of architecture with its gold-plated roof, be-jeweled doors, flowered motifs and woodcarvings of the finest quality. The square-shaped pagoda like temple, which is built on a single platform of 24 meters in height, stands in the middle of an open courtyard. The entrance of the temple is from all the four sides and is decorated by gold-gilt doors. Inside the temple there is a narrow walk engulfing the sanctum from where one can have closer view of Shivlinga.
On the both sides of each door of the temple there are artistic niche of different sizes containing attractive images of Apsara, Ashtha Bhairava and other gods and goddesses. Nearly all these paintings have been done in gold. The latticed windows are lift from the Bhutanese monasteries. The beams that support the roofs have pictures that depict different sexual and suggestive postures. On the upper part of the beam that supports the lower roof, the images of moon, sun and a Purna-Kalasha have been carved out.
In the central sanctum of the temple lies the 3 feet high Shivlinga. The major difference between this and other Shivlingas in India is the fact that the Shivlinga at Pashupatinath is four faced. The face looking east is called Tatpurusha where as the ones in west, north and south are called Sadhyojata, Vamadeva and Aghora. The upper portion of this lingam is known as Ishan.
Pashupatinath area is regarded as one of the most important places of pilgrimages for the followers of Hinduism in the entire world. Thousands of devotees come to pay homage to Pashupatinath every day. On special occasions like Ekadasi, Sankranti, Maha Shivaratri, Teej Akshaya, Rakhi, Grahana (eclipse), Poornima (Full moon day) people congregate here in far greater number.

Swayambhunath temple

A golden spire crowning a conical wooded hill, Swayambhunath Stupa is the most ancient and enigmatic of all the holy shrines in Kathmandu valley. Its lofty white dome and glittering golden spire are visible for many miles and from all sides of the valley. Historical records found on a stone inscription give evidence that the stupa was already an important Buddhist pilgrimage destination by the 5th century AD. Its origins however, date to a much earlier time, long before the arrival of Buddhism into the valley. A collection of legends about the site, the 15th century Swayambhu Purana, tells of a miraculous lotus, planted by a past Buddha, which blossomed from the lake that once covered Kathmandu valley. The lotus mysteriously radiated a brilliant light, and the name of the place came to be Swayambhu, meaning 'Self-Created or Self-Existent'. Saints, sages and divinities traveled to the lake to venerate this miraculous light for its power in granting enlightenment. During this time, the Bodhisatva Manjushri was meditating at the sacred mountain of Wu Tai Shan and had a vision of the dazzling Swayambhu light. Manjushri flew across the mountains of China and Tibet upon his blue lion to worship the lotus. Deeply impressed by the power of the radiant light, Manjushri felt that if the water were drained out of the lake Swayambhu would become more easily accessible to human pilgrims. With a great sword Manjushri cut a gorge in the mountains surrounding the lake. The water, draining away, left the valley of present day Kathmandu. The lotus was then transformed into a hill and the light became the Swayabhunath Stupa.
Swayambhunath's worshippers include Hindus, Vajrayana Buddhists of northern Nepal and Tibet, and the Newari Buddhists of central and southern Nepal. Each morning before dawn, hundreds of pilgrims will ascend the 365 steps that lead up the hill, file past the gilded Vajra (Tibetan: Dorje) and two lions guarding the entrance, and begin a series of clockwise circumambulations of the stupa (Newari Buddhists circle in the opposite, counterclockwise direction). On each of the four sides of the main stupa there are a pair of big eyes. These eyes are symbolic of God's all-seeing perspective. There is no nose between the eyes but rather a representation of the number one in the Nepali alphabet, signifying that the single way to enlightenment is through the Buddhist path. Above each pair of eyes is another eye, the third eye, signifying the wisdom of looking within. No ears are shown because it is said the Buddha is not interested in hearing prayers in praise of him.
The area surrounding the stupa is filled with chaityas, temples, painted images of deities and numerous other religious objects. There are many small shrines with statues of Tantric and shamanistic deities, prayer wheels for the Tibetan Buddhists, Shiva lingams (now disguised as Buddhist chaityas and decorated with the faces of the the Dhyani Buddhas), and a popular Hindu temple dedicated to Harati, the Goddess of smallpox and other epidemics.The presence of the Harati Devi temple signifies the intermingling of the pantheons of Hinduism and Buddhism in the development of the religious trends of Nepal. As Buddhists had no deity in their own pantheon to protect against the dreaded smallpox, they adopted the Hindu deity for assistance.
Atop Swayambhunath hill is another fascinating, though smaller and less visited temple. This is Shantipur, the 'Place of Peace', inside of which, in a secret, always locked, underground chamber lives the 8th century Tantric master Shantikar Acharya. Practising meditation techniques which have preserved his life for uncounted centuries, he is a great esoteric magician who has complete power over the weather. When the valley of Kathmandu is threatened by drought, the King of Nepal must enter the underground chamber to get a secret mandala from Shantikar. Soon after the mandala is brought outside and shown to the sky, rain begins to fall. Frescoes painted on the inside temple walls depict when last this occurred in 1658. The small temple has a powerful atmosphere; it is mysterious, stern and slightly ominous.
The complex of temples atop Swayambhunath hill is one of my most favorite sacred places in the world. It was here, in 1967, when I was thirteen years old that I first became enchanted with visiting and photographing ancient pilgrimage shrines. Swayambhunath stupa is also called the `Monkey Temple' because of the many hundreds of monkeys who scamper about the temple at night after the pilgrims and priests have departed. These monkeys and a hashish inspired yogi first introduced me to the magic of sacred places. Nearby the Swayambhunath hill are other important temples such as the Shiva Jyotir Linga temple of Pashupatinath, Boudhanath stupa, Changu Narayan, Dakshinkali, and Budhanilkantha. Readers interested in studying the sacred sites of the Kathmandu valley in detail are referred to the works of Bubriski, Majupuria and Moran listed in the bibliography.

Pokhara

Pokhara is a place of magnificent and incomparable natural beauty. The most serene locale in the city is Fewa Lake. The image of the snow-clad mountain peaks that fall in the tranquil water creates an ambience of peace and magic. At an elevation lower than Kathmandu, Pokhara has a much more tropical feel to it; a fact much appreciated by the beautiful diversity of flowers which prosper in its environs. Pokhara has lot more to offer, here we list a few: -
Mountain Views
The most stunning and magnificent site of Pokhra is the spectacular panorama of the Annapurna range that forms its backdrop. The Annapurna stretches from west to east and includes Annapurna I to Annapurna IV in its massif. Apart from that it also includes the Annapurna South peak. Although the highest among them is Annapurna I that stands 8,091 meters above the sea, it is Machhapuchhre Peak, which dominates all others in its vicinity. Boastfully levitating in the skyline, the fishtailed pinnacle is the archetypal snow-capped, needlepointed mountain. Nevertheless, none can get you same experience as a clear weather Mountain flight. The one by the Everest Air is the best among the available option.
Fewa Lake
Fewa Lake, also written as Phewa Lake, is the second largest lake in the Kingdom of Nepal. Nevertheless this lake is second to no one in terms of beauty. In fact, the Fewa Lake is the Manhattan of Pokhara. It is the largest and most enchanting of the three lakes that add to the resplendence of Pokhara. The real charm of this place is to hire a sailboat or a rowboat and enjoy the tranquility. Another interesting site is the island temple in its middle. The eastern shore, popularly known as Lakeside is the most preferred hangout for the foreign backpackers. This is the place where most of the hotels, restaurants and handicraft shops are located.
Barahi Temple
Among the monuments, the Barahi temple is the most important in Pokhara region. This temple is built on an island right in the Center of Phewa Lake. This double-storied pagoda like temple is dedicated to the boar manifestation of Ajima, the protesters deity representing the female force Shakti. Saturday is the day dedicated to this goddess and you can notice people carrying animals for the sacrifice. The design of this temple is heavily influenced from Bhutanese architecture school and the monument hardly looks like a Hindu Temple.
Seti Gandaki
Pokhara is the city of Natural wonders. Another feather in its cap is Seti Gandaki River that never fails to interest the visitors. The boisterous river runs right through the city and at places, it remains completely underground. Amazingly, at certain points the river appears hardly two meters wide. Nevertheless its depth reaches to over 20 meters at places. Mahendra Pul, a British style span bridge, provides the perfect view of the river's dreadful rush and the deep gorge made by its powerful flow. The gorge is the only one of its kind in the valley.
Mahendra Cave
In the long queue of natural wonders in Pokhara, Mahendra Gupha or Mahendra Cave is another addition. This large limestone cave is locally known as the House of Bats. This name has been given because of the nests of bats that hang form the series of Stalagmites that run through the cave. The place is a 2-hours walk from the downtown Pokhra. Don't forget to bring a torch in order to see stalactites, stalagmites as well as the dreadful looking bats.
The Old Bazaar
Pokhara's traditional bazaar is colorful and so are its ethnically diverse traders. The place remains bustling with traders from not only Nepal but also from places as far as Kashmir, Tibet, Ladakh and China. The market is full of monuments that give a sneak peak into the Newar architecture and culture. Located about four km from Lakeside, the market's original charm is alive and flourishing. Though the market has nothing to offer to tourists; to walk down the lanes has a charm in itself.
The Pokhara Museum
Located between the bus stop and Mahendra Pul, Pokhara museum reflects the ethnic mosaic of western Nepal. The lifestyles and history of ethnic groups such as Gurungs, Thakalis and Tharus are attractively displayed through models, photographs and artifacts. One major attraction is a display highlighting the newly discovered remains of an 8000-year-old settlement in Mustang. The museum is opened weeklong except Tuesdays and is must for both researchers as well as tourists.

Lumbini

Lumbini that means 'The Lovely One' in Sanskrit is a famous Buddhist site in the Lumbini District Zone of Nepal. Lumbini is considered the birthplace of Gautam Buddha. Many a times referred as 'The Light of Asia', Buddha was the founder of Buddhism faith. His period is estimated to be approximately between 563 and 483 BC.
Lumbini is located 25kms east of the municipality of Kapilvastu. Kapilvastu was the seat of governance of the then kingdom of Nepal. In the year 1896, the Indo-British archaeology team discovered a great stone pillar at the site. Later that pillar was attributed to Ashoka, the Mauryan ruler and propagator of Buddhism. The records maintained by Fa Hein were also taken in to consideration in the process. For Buddhists, this is one of four pilgrimage sites based around the life of Gautam Buddha, the other three being Kushinagar, Bodh Gaya, and Sarnath. Going by its cultural, religious and historical importance, UNESCO declared Lumbini, a world heritage site in the year 1997.

The place is famous for Maya Devi temple. It is believed that the present temple has been built at the place where Queen Maya gave birth to lord Buddha. Another important structure is the Ashoka pillar. Apart from that Lumbini has ruins of various Stupas and monasteries. Then there is Pushkarni pond where Queen Maya took bath before giving birth to Buddha.
The Lumbini region comes under Lumbini Trust, an NGO. Foreign pilgrims here have constructed new temples and monasteries. The Buddhist associations of China, Myanmar and Gautami Nuns have their separate pagodas. The ones by Japan, Sri Lanka and Vietnam are under construction.

Patan Museum

The Patan museum is a one-stop destination for knowing about traditional artifacts and crafts in Nepal. This museum is located at the famous Durbar Square in Patan. The palace at the square has gold works on doors and windows and looks magnificent in the evening. The palace itself dates back to 1735 A.D and acts as monastery at times. The old palace has been restored and opened as a museum in the year 1997. Since then, this place has never looked back.
The museum's exhibits cover a long span of Nepal's cultural history and some rare objects are among its treasures. They belong both to Buddhist and Hindu traditions. Most of the exhibits have been cast in bronzes and have Gilt Copper repose work, for which Patan is famous.
The museum has more than 900 different exhibits on display. The majority of exhibits are sculptures of Hindu and Buddhist deities that were crafted in the Patan area itself. Most of these sculptures belong to the Mallas era. Others originated in India, Tibet and the western Himalayas. The ones originated from India have Licchhavis connection. They are accompanied by written commentary by Mary Slusser that attempts to explain their spiritual and artistic significance. It will take more than a day to even give a quick glance to these items. Prior permission is required for research activities

Namo Buddha Stupa

Namo Buddha or Takmo Lujin is a very sacred place for the Buddhists. The Stupa situated just off to the downtown Kathmandu is visited by scores of pilgrims every year. There is a legend behind the reverence of this place. According to the Buddhist legend, the King Mahasattva gave his body to a hungry tigress at this place. His reliquary Stupa remained underground for centuries. One day a hermit called Bhagavan (Sakyamuni) came to this site and got attracted to the bulge. It is said that he clapped his hands, and miraculously the Stupa appeared.
Efforts have been made to examine more deeply, the validity of Tag-molussbyin's claim, which was a hermit in medieval time; that this is the same place that has been mentioned in the Jataka Stories. Going by this legend, this Stupa enshrines the bones and hair of the Buddhist hermit who died practicing the deeds of a Bodhisattva. He was moved to such pity at seeing a tigress, ravaged by hunger and about to devour a small boy, that he sacrificed his body to her.
Even now, in this place there is such fear of the tiger that the people do not utter the real name of the Stupa. Since in Buddhism it is believed, that to speak the name of the Buddha is to be free from fear the Nepalese call this place Namo Buddha! If you ask for directions to the Stupa, never ever utter the real name or no one will answer you. The local people will not understand you if you ask for Takmo Lujin; you must ask for Namo Buddha." Namo Buddha is one of the principal places of pilgrimage for the Lama Tibetans.

Muktinath Stupa

The famous Stupa of Muktinath lies in the district of Mustang and is situated 18 kilometers north east of Jomsom at an altitude of about 3749 meters. The temple is situated on a high mountain range and is accessible during fair weather. The visitors get lodging facilities at Dharmasala and Maharani Pouwa
Muktinath is a sacred and a pilgrimage site for both Hindu and Buddhists. The local name of Muktinath is Chuming Gyatsa, which means hundred springs. The traditional caretakers of this monastery are Tibetan Buddhist nuns. You will see Tibetan traders as well as Sadhus from the far south of India paying homage to Buddha at this place. The place is great for meditation therefore most of the hermits remain here for years. The shrine is situated in a grove of trees and among others it includes a Buddhist monastery and the Jwala Mai temple, which contain a spring, and an eternal flame fed by natural gas underground. It is the earth-water-fire combination that accounts for Muktinath's great religious significance. Set into the walls around is 108 waterspouts from which pour holy water. For the Buddhists, Muktinath is a place of Dakinis, goddess known as sky dancers and Lord Padmasambhava. Its importance in Buddhism increases because of the fact that Chuming Gyatsa is one of the 24 Tantrik places.
Buddhists believe that all miseries and sorrows are relieved once you visit this temple. There are two ways to get to Muktinath from Kathmandu. You may either take a direct flight from Kathmandu via Pokhara to Jomsom and hike for 6-8 hous via Kagbeni or trek all the way from Pokhara, which takes 7-8 days.

Ashoka Stupas in Lalitpur

The most remarkable feature of the town of Patan is its four Ashoka Stupas that are testimony to an ancient architectural tradition. The historians have agreed that these Stupas might have been erected in connection with the foundation of Patan towards the end of the 4th century AD. Because of its circular base and hemispherical dome it can be safely said that these Stupas have not been constructed in accordance with the Buddhist architecture.

LAGAN THURA - SOUTHERN STUPA
Among the four Stupas of Patan, the southern mound is known as Lagan Khel Stupa or Lagan Thura Stupa. It is the largest among the four, measuring 47.40 meters in diameter and 11.80 meters in height. The mound is crowned by a recent structure, a miniature cenotaph added on the top. The shrines of Tathagatas were presumable added in 1878; even as others were added to the eastern mound in 1846.An inscription tell us that on the western Stupa the Tathagatas were already in place by 1455.

TETA THURA - EASTERN STUPA
This Stupa is located about 200 meters east of Tyagal Tole of Patan near the Eastern ring road. This Stupa is comparatively bigger than the other two Stupas in perimeter. The perimeter of this Stupa is 75.83 meters and height 10.4 meters. It has fire Vedica of height 1.6 meters with one Tathagata in each direction. The dome of 4.5m in height is paved with firebricks. A square shaped Harmika enshrines the dome. No pre 18th century inscription can be found on the structure. There are three stone inscriptions led in the Vedika. Two inscriptions are completely damaged and not legible and the one inscription left by the Tathagata Ratnasambhava is hardly readable.

PUCHO THURA - WESTERN STUPA
This Stupa is located just at the roadside of Pul Chowk Bus stand on the west end of Patan. The perimeter of this Stupa is 75.52 meters and height 12 meters. It has firebrick Vedika of height 1.2 meters with one Tathagata in each direction. The dome that is 6.5 meters tall is too paved by firebrick. It has no Harmika. The thirteen rings Cakravalis are constructed directly over the dome in square shaped pyramid structure. A Yasti is placed is on the top of the spire with a parasol.

IBAHI THURA - NORTHERN STUPA
This Stupa is comparatively more complex and smaller than other three Stupas. This is similar in structure of Svayambhu Mahacaitya in Kathmandu. It is nearly circular and has a perimeter of 60.62 meters. It has five Buddha in the Vedika with their consorts except the Tathagata Vairocana. It has a Vedika of 1.5 meters and dome of 5.5 meters in height. A square Harmika is constructed over the dome with 13 steps Cakravali and a parasol.

Durbar Square Kathmandu

The Durbar square is same to Nepal as Tianmen Square is to Beijing. The place has been listed in the UNESCO world heritage site. Durbar Square is the focal point of religious and social activities in Kathmandu Old City. This place comprises palaces, temples, shrines, statues and courtyards built between the 12th and 18th centuries by the ancient kings of Nepal. The Durbar square is the subtle amalgamation of old and new. The elaborately carved architectural features and curving roofs are night stays for beggars and tourists. Priests and monks who jostle along the crowd to attract a possible client accompany them.
Two ferocious looking stone lions guard the gates of Old Royal Palace that was abandoned by the monarchs in the late 18th century. The campus contains a number of courtyards and several museums. There is a plaque that is set in the palace walls which is said to be 400 years old. The inscriptions written on the plaque is in 15 different languages. On the other side of the square is the Kastha Mandap temple that is said to have bore its name to Kathmandu. The unique feature of this temple is that it has been constructed of wood out of a single tree. The structure is an open pavilion that is topped by a pyramidal tower. It is purportedly the Valley's oldest building.
Kathmandu Durbar square, also known as Hanuman Dhoka Durbar, used to be the residence of the Nepali royal family and administrators. The palace became a public attraction when the monarchs shifted to the newly build Narayanhity Palace. The Hanuman Dhoka Durbar lies in the heart of the city. It consists of huge Royal Palace with different temples dating from the 15th to the 18th century. This palace is named after Hanuman, a Hindu deity and a stone statue of Hanuman is placed right next to the main entrance.
Some other important monuments worth visiting in the vicinity are as follows:
* The Taleju temple is the tallest of all structures built by King Mahendra Malla in 1549 A.D.
* The Jagannath temple, built in the 16th century, is known for the fascinating erotic figures

carved in the wooden struts.
* The Kala Bhairav, one of the largest 17th century stone statues in Kathmandu, represents the

terrifying aspect of Shiva.

* The 17th century Kumari temple that is an example of the highly developed Nepali

craftsmanship.
Besides these, other fascinating part of this palace complex is the towering Nautale Durbar that overlooks the city. It is famous for its many intricately carved doors, windows, etc.:

Guhyeshwari Temple

Guhyeshwari Temple is one of the holiest shrines of Hindus. It is one of the revered holy temples in Kathmandu, Nepal. Located near the Pashupatinath temple, Guhyeshwari represents the female force.
This temple is dedicated to Goddess Parvati. The legend goes by that once Parvati, Hindu goddess and wife of Shiva, was upset with something and decided to end her life. When Shiva was out for somewhere, she burnt herself to death. When lord Shiva returned he was full of remorse. It is believed that Lord Shiva wandered the world carrying the body of Sati Devi. During this process her yoni, the female sexual organ, fell at this place. A small cenotaph was build by some villagers at that place. In the due course the villagers started to worship that figure. King Pratap Malla built the present temple in the early 17th century.
The temple is built in Bhutanese Pagoda style and looks fragile. The temple is pretty ordinary in terms of architecture and does not attract. Nevertheless, the main sanctum is beautifully decorated with flower motifs. The name of the temple originates from words "Guhya" (vagina) and "Ishwari" (goddess). The temple symbolizes the harmony between male and female force of creation. Non-Hindus are not allowed to enter the main sanctum of the temple. However you can appreciate the design from a distance.

Bouddhnath Stupa

Bouddhnath Stupa is not only the largest Stupa in Nepal but also one of the largest Stupas in entire Asia. Since ages Bouddhnath has been a citadel and center of attraction of Tibetan Lama Buddhism in Nepal. This white pagoda that stands 36 meters on its feet falls in the way of the ancient trade route between Bihar and Tibet and that is why it was the focal point for the caravans that passed either ways. Tibetan merchants and hermits have rested and offered prayers here for many centuries. Travelers like Fa'Hein have traversed the same route.

The place saw the major influx of refugees in early 50s. It was the time when China redrew it boundaries and declared Tibet as its integral part. The mass exodus followed and many of the refugees settled in the area around the Bouddhnath Stupa. They established many Gompas, and the "Little Tibet" of Nepal was born. This "Little Tibet" is still the best place in the Valley to observe and study the Tibetan lifestyle. Monks walk about in maroon robes with prayer wheels in their hands, and the rituals of prostration are presented to the Buddha as worshippers circumambulate the Stupa. The second and third generations are sadly moving away from the Tibetan culture and are intermingling in the western world. The anti-China rhetoric has given way to Bob Dylan and Eminem. Like all other monuments in Nepal, it is very difficult to zero in on one date of construction. Historians and novices spin new stories in matter of hours and things become topsy-turvy. Nevertheless, majority of people believes that Bouddhnath was constructed in the fifth century. The Stupa is said to entomb the remains of a Kashyap sage who is venerable both to Buddhists and Hindus. The other popular but utterly bizarre legend has it that a woman requested the then King for the donation of land for building Stupa. She said that she needed land covered by one buffalo's skin. When she had her wishes fulfilled, she cut the buffalo skin into thin strips and circled off a fairly large clearing. The king had no choice but to give her the land.
The area around the Bouddhnath Stupa is a feast to the eyes typical to all Tibetan Buddhist sites. Colorful Thangkas and flags mark the whole area. It is also a shopper's paradise in Kathmandu. Tibetan jewelry, hand-woven carpets, masks, and Khukri knives are some of the must buy items in this market.
Smaller Stupas are located at the base. Gompa monasteries, curio shops, and restaurants surround Bouddhanath. Conveniently situated restaurants with rooftop patios provide good food and excellent views of Bouddhanath.

Yomari Punhi

Yomari Punhi -meaning full moon of yomari-one of the popular Newar festivals is observed every year during the full moon of December. A yomari is a confection of rice-flour (from the new harvest) dough shaped like fig and filled with brown cane sugar and sesame seeds, which is then steamed. This delicacy is the chief item on the menu during the post-harvest celebration of Yomari Punhi.
On this full moon day, people of the Kathmandu Valley offer worship to Annapurna, the goddess of grains, for the rice harvest. Groups of kids go neighborhood to beg yomari cakes from housewives in the evening. Sacred masked dances are performed in the villages of Hari Siddhi and Thecho at the southern end of the Valley to mark the festival.
The Newars, upon munching a mouthful of yomari, a sweet dish, await the end of their four days of devotion of god, following which they will be blessed with wealth, according to their belief. The people prepare yomaris, in the form of gods and goddesses such as Kumar, Ganesh, Laxmi and Kuber. In keeping with the culture, parents bless children from two to twelve years who are then offered yomaris. The children on the other hand perform the customary song and dance and ask for food and other gifts from the elders during the festival. The festival is said to have started from panchal nagar(present day Panauti). Myth has it that Suchandra and Krita, a married couple, first experimented with fresh yield of rice from their field. And what took shape turned out came to be known as yomari.
The new delicacy was eventually distributed among the villagers. As all liked the food, the bread was named yomari, which literally means 'tasty bread'. The myth further states that on the same day the couple offered the god of wealth, Kuber, the new delicacy, who was passing by in a disguise. Following this Kuber disclosed, his real identity and blessed the couple with wealth. He also declared that whoever will prepare yomari in the form of gods and goddesses on the full moon of December and observe four days of devotion to god, will get rid of poverty. The festival is celebrated on the second day when prayers are offered during which the yomaris are stored and not eaten on that very day. On the fourth and the final day the people belonging to the Newar community consume the sweet bread as a gift from gods and this practise also marks the end of the festival.

Shiva Ratri

Shiva Ratri is a much anticipated festival by all Hindus.Shiva's birthday falls on the new moon day of the month of Falgun. Festivities take place at all Shiva temple but most particularly at the great Pashupatinath temple,Pilgrims and yogis (holy men), from all over Southeast Asia come to Kathmandu weeks before the festival. On this holy day people fast through out the day. At dawn, worshippers take a holy bath or dip in the river and go to the temple to worship
Pashupatinath temple is located at the eastern part of the Kathmandu valley on the banks of the holy river Bagmati. Pashupatinath, which literally means ‘the Lord of animals’, is one of the many forms of the Lord. He is the guardian deity, protector of our Hindu Kingdom of Nepal, thus Shiva Ratri is one of the major festivals of Nepal.
One of the interesting aspects of Shiva Ratri is that on this day devotees and non-devotees alike freely indulge in smoking intoxicating substances such as marijuana and bhang for it is the only day in the annual calendar when marijuana is legal. Many people take these intoxicants in the belief that it pleases Lord Shiva for he too is said to be fond of it.

Teej

Teej is the fasting festival for women. Through this religious fasting, hindu women pray for marital bliss, wellbeing of their spouse and children and purification of their own body and soul. It takes place on Tritiya of Bhadra
According to the holy books, the Goddess Parbati fasted and prayed fervently for the great Lord Shiva to become her spouse. Touched by her devotion, he took her for his wife. Goddess Parbati, in gratitude sent her emissary to preach and disseminate this religious fasting among mortal women, promising prosperity and longevity with their family. Women clad in beautiful red saris with shining potes (glass beads), singing and dancing is the sight almost everywhere in Nepal during the festival of Teej. On this day women observe a fast and pray Lord Shiva for the long, healthy and prosperous life of their husbands and their families.
The unmarried women also observe this festival with unabated zeal with the hope that they will get to marry good husbands. From early dawn, women queue up in the multiple lines in Pashupatinath to offer their prayers to Lord Shiva.

Shri panchami

This day is celebrated as the birthday of Saraswati, the Goddess of Learning, She is the lily-white daughter of Shiva and Durga in spotless white robes and seated in a full-blown lotus. Her carrier is a snow-white swan. Her brother Ganesh, the elephant God, is invariably close at her side, and he receives animal sacrifices in her stead. In her hands Saraswati holds a book, a vina harp, and sometimes a great sword because of which many believe that she and Manjushri are one and the same.
Shri panchami brings people of all castes, ages and creeds together to the temples of Divinity, especially to the idol behind Swayambhunath.The image is inundated with gifts, sweets, fruits, flowers in the hope of gaining Saraswati's favor. As she rules over the realm of speech, letters, arts and sciences, students, scholars, writers, poets, artists, musicians and also spinners and weavers lavishly fete her. All her tools like pens, books, ink, etc. are also worshipped. According to popular belief, if a person swallows seven rice grains, which are offered to the Goddess, he/she will become wise and knowledgeable. So, students and children clamor for the rice grains strewn around the idol.
This is also the day when children of 5 to 7 are taught their first alphabet, which is repeated after the parent or teacher and traced on wooden slabs. And around the city numerous wedding processions followed by musicians and relatives can be seen, as this day is the most auspicious and popular day in the year for marriages, when the union is blessed by the Goddess Saraswati herself.
This day also coincides with the advent of spring. The ancient royal palace at Basantapur was first inaugurated in Kathmandu on Basant Panchami day with rites still officially commemorated at Hanuman Dhoka by the mid-morning gathering of hundreds of government officials, in formal attire and military officers laden with ribbons and medals. The King arrives in a motorcade, escorted by mounted cavalry officers and military band. Inside the old palace they all stand to attention through the strains of the traditional Song of spring. Then the season is inaugurated with gun salutes, while the royal priest conducts elaborate ceremonies in the honor of Goddess Saraswati.

Magha Sangranti

Maghe Sankranti is the beginning of the holy month of Magh, usually the mid of January. It brings an end to the ill-omened month of Poush (mid-december) when all religious ceremonies are forbidden. Even if it is considered the coldest day of the year, it marks the coming of warmer weather and better days of health and fortune.
This day is said to be the most significant day for holy bathing despite the weather. This ritual usually takes place at the union of sacred rivers and streams. Sankhamole, on the banks of the holy Bagmati river, below Patan, is thought to be amongst the most sacred sites for this purpose, though there has been a decline in the fulfillment of this ritual.
In the recent years due to water pollution in the river.But people still go in the wee hours of dawn just to sprinkle themselves with the water. They pay homage to various deities specially the temple of Red Machindranath and Agima Ta.
In addition to holy bathing and worship of shrines, certain auspicious foods like till laddoos (seasame seeds ball cakes), chaku(molasys), ghee (clarified butter), sweet potatoes, khichari (mixture of rice and lentils) and green leaf spinach are taken on this day. Families come together and share these delights. Married daughters and families are invited to parental homes for festivities and blessings. Yet another occasion to renew family ties. Many homes have pujas (religious ceremonies) conducted by priests with chanting from holy books, for which they receive alms.
Like any other holy celebration Maghi Sankranti also has a legend of its own. It recalls that once a merchant from the town of Bhadgoan despite of his thriving business noticed that his supply of seasame seeds hadn't diminished. When looking into the matter he found an idol of the Lrod Vishnu hidden deep beneath the seeds. Since, then on this day the Til Madhav idol is worshipped with the belief that god will continue to be generous in the supply of food and wealth on the Bhadgoan community. It's also the day commemorating the death of Viswapitamaha, the elderly grandfather of two families of Pandavas and Kauravas, between whom the famous battle of Mahabharat took place.
He was determined not to die until the way to the region of gods opened. While lying on the bed of arrows he discovered words of wisdom on life and death. Eventually, through his free will he succumbed to death. Hence it's believed that those who die on this day go to heaven, released from the burden of rebirth.
Maghi Sankranti, is yet another occasion which renews the faith of Nepalese people in the heavenly powers.

Machindra Nath Rath Yatra

It is celebrated in Patan, in the month of June. It is very important for the farmers as it is celebrated before monsoon for good rain. As Lord Machhendranath views his followers from the high seat of his chariot, its fourwheels-representing the powerful Bhairab-receives rice and vermilion powder.
This is the longest as well as the most important festival of Patan. It begins with several days of ceremonies and the fabrication of a wooden-wheeled chariot at Pulchowk, near the Ashoka Stupa. The chariot bears the shrine of the Rato (Red) Macchendranath (the Tantric expression of Lokeshwar) and carries a very tall spire fabricated from " bamboo poles raised from four ends of the chariot. This unwieldy spire is around 10 meters tall and on account of which, the chariot balances precariously.
It is said that calamity is certain to strike the land in the event of the chariot overturning or breaking down during the course of this festival. (Quite often, it does collapse!).Following the construction, the chariot is towed through the streets of Patan by throngs of devotees every day. Each day, it is put to rest in one of the many venerated spots in the city.This goes on for a month until it comes to rest on the big field outside the zoo and end with the Bhoto Jatra, another major festival, during which the bejewelled 'bhoto' of Machhendranath is displayed to the public.

Janai Purnima(Raksha Bandhan)

Janai Purnima is the festival of Sacred Thread.On this day every Hindu ties a sacred thread on the wrist.It is also called Rakshya Bandhan.On this day, there is a big Mela (fair) at Khumbeshwor, Lalitpur.It is again on a full moon night. . On this day Hindu men, especially the Brahmans and Chettris perform their annual change of Janai, a yellow cotton string worn across the chest or tied around the wrist of the right hand.
The Newars of Kathmandu valley call it Gunhi Punhi, the day when a soup of different beans, known as Kwati is prepared as the special menu of the day, signifying the coming of winter season. 'unclean'. But according to Hindu rules the cord must be changed without fail by a Brahman on this day, Janai meaning sacred thread, and purni meaning Purnima or the full moon, thus pointing to the change of the thread on the auspicious full moon day. On Janai Purnima, there is a big mela (fair) at Kumbeshwor in Lalitpur. Devotees come here to worship Lord Mahadev and to tie a knot around their wrists. On the preceding day the wearer makes himself 'clean' by shaving, cutting the hair and bathing. He undergoes a partial fast, taking only one meal of foods considered to be 'clean' - no meat, onions or garlic. The next morning the family priest comes to the house. The entire family gathers around him as he reads from a holy book, performs a ceremony, which sanctifies the new thread, and places it about the recipient's neck across the chest. In payment the priest is given foodstuffs and some money.
This is also the day when male, females, and children regardless of station and caste tie a sacred yellow thread around their wrist. The males tie the thread around their right and the women tie it on their left. Raksha means 'protection' and Bandhan means a bond. The wearer believes that it will bring him good luck. It is believed that this thread should only be removed on Laxmi Puja,which falls three months later, and tied to the tail of a cow. Thus when death comes to the wearer the cow will help him to cross the river Bhaitarna, by allowing the dead to cling to her tail.
It seems that King Bali had taken the vow of Charity, according to which he would grant every wish made to him. His deep devotion and boundless benevolence won him a place higher than even Lord Indra, the King of of Heaven did. Seeing their realms under a mere "Danava"(demon), for Bali was the King of the Danavas, the Gods appealed to Lord Vishnu, who came to their assistance disguised as a dwarf. Knowing that Bali had taken the Vow of Charity; the dwarf begged him for as much land as he could cover in three strides. The moment Bali agreed, the dwarfed Vishnu swelled to the size of a tremendous giant and in two mighty strides stepped across Heaven and Earth. When he demanded were he might take the promised third step, Bali who had already recognized Vishnu placed the giant's foot a top his own head and was pushed far into the bowels of the earth. Thus Vishnu restored the Three Worlds to the rightful ruling Gods, and repaid Bali for his last act of earthly charity, by making him the King of the Underworld, where he is believed to be still ruling.

Ghode Jatra

Ghode Jatra, the Horse Racing Day falls on Darhsa Shrad Aunsi of the month Chaitra (March/April). A grand horse parade takes place at Tundikhel, the central point of the city reputed to have been in the former days the largest parade ground in Asia. Ghode Jatra, the Horse Racing Day falls on the month of mid March or early April.
A grand horse parade takes place at Tundikhel, the central point of the city reputed to have been in the former days the largest parade ground in Asia. It is said that in the olden days the Kings of Kathmandu use to go to worship the Bhadrakali temple in a courtly cavalcade following the Living Goddess Kumari.
This visit could have been modified into the parade of horses and finally the horse athletics and racing contest as it is today, held by the army in the presence of the King. There was a time when the festival was considered only for the residents of Kathmandu. But today it's popularity has attracted people from all over Nepal.
It's said to be a propitious day for consuming a large amount of garlic and meat, some even consider it a day when citizen in the streets may inebriate themselves. Legend reveals that this festival was held to celebrate the victory over a demon named Tundi who resided over the meadow, today known as Tundikhel. Tundi was a terror, so when he met with his death people rejoiced by dancing on his body with horses. So it's believed that the clamor of horses' hooves on Ghode Jatra at Tundikhel keeps the demon's sprit at bay as it still threatens to ruin the city. It's said, the faster the horses run quicker will Tundi's spirit be dispelled. The swift running of the horses on this day is also considered to be a good omen for the Nepalese people.

Ghanta Karna Chaturdasi

This festival celebrates the exorcism of the mythical demon Ghantakarna.It is also called Gathemangal festival which falls on trayodashi of the month Shrawan (July/August).This festival celebrates the exorcism of the mythical demon Ghantakarna. According to a local legend a savage by the name of Ghantakarna used to terrify the public by stealing their children and womenfolk.
The demon made a grotesque sight with his body painted in red, blue, and black. He had a pair of bells on his ears so that, at every moment, he made a jangling noise. Because of these bells, he was called Ghanta (bell) Karna (ears). Ghanta Karna was a big bully and demanded money and other gifts be made to him by the villagers.
The rains came and went, but the farmers dared not to go out in fear of the ogre. There was a look of desolation on every farmer's face. But, succor came unexpectedly. A large number of frogs came to the place where the fearsome demon was staying and all of them started to croak. Ghantakarna got very agitated and tried to catch the frogs. But the clever frogs jumped ahead and continued to croak. They led him on to a swamp and then they jumped into the water. He too plunged into the water and was soon upto his ears in the mud. The frogs then swarmed all around his head and the demon sank to his death. Thus, the clever frogs were able to free the residents of the Valley from the tortures of Ghantakarna.
His festival is celebrated by acting out the legendry drama in the streets. Children of each neighborhood collect money from passerby which is used to make an effigy of the demon God. While this effigy remains in the center of a rough tent-like structure erected from bamboo poles, one man impersonates Ghantakarna by smearing himself with white paint and roaming the local area collecting the blessings. The group of children then returns to effigy and takes it to the river for burning, thus making the victory of the local habitants over demon God.

Gai Jatra

The festival of "Gai Jatra" (the procession of cows) which is one of the most popular festivals, is generally celebrated in the Nepalese month of Bhadra (August-September).According to tradition dating back since time immemorial, every family who has lost one relative during the past year must participate in a procession through, the streets of Katmandu leading a cow.
This festival also purges many who have lost their loved ones as they get to console themselves as to they are not the only ones who have been bereaved and it also teaches to accept death as a part of life. This popular festivals in Nepal as there is full of humor, satire, comedy, mockery and shades of sadness too at the same time. And on this day satires and jokes on anybody is legal.
In this festival teen-aged boys dressed up as cows, parade the streets of the town. This costume springs from the belief that cows help the members of the family who died within that year to travel to heaven smoothly. Some are also dressed up as an ascetic or a fool for achieving the same objective for their dead family members. Groups of mimics improvise short satirical enactment on the current social scenes of the town for the entertainment of the public. The week beginning from Janai Purnima actually unfolds a season of many good religious and cultural activities. All the Buddhist monasteries open their gates to the visitors to view their bronze sculptures and collection of painting for a week. At Patan, one observes the festival of Mataya at this time. The festivity of Gai Jatra itself lasts for a week enlivened by the performance of dance and drama in the different localities of the town. The spirit of the old festival is being increasingly adapted by cultural centers, newspaper and magazines to fling humor and satire on the Nepalese Social and Political life.

Fagu Purnima

The ancient Hindu festival of Holi falls on late February or on early March. Allegedly named after the mythical demoness Holika, it is a day when the feast of colours is celebrated. The festival is of a week. However it's only the last day that is observed by all with colours. Phagu is another name for Holi where Phagu means the sacred red powder and Pune is the full moon day, on which the festival ends. People can be seen wandering through the streets either on foot or on some vehicle, with a variety of colours smeared over them.
Families and friends get together and celebrate the occasion with a lot of merry making. This spring time celebration is also an outburst of youthful exuberance in which throwing colours and water bolloons (lolas) on passer- by is acceptable. But, the Indian community, that is, the Marwari class who have settled down in Nepal for centuries and the people of Terai celebrate it a day later with more pomp and ceremony.
The days prior to the last don't have a lot happening except, the installation of the ceremonial pole called "chir', on the first day. It's a bamboo pole, fringed with strips of cloth representing good luck charms. It is said to symbolize the tree on which lord Krishna hung the milkmaids' garments while they were bathing, unseen as they thought, in the Jamuna river of northern India.
As the pole is put up in the street at Basantapur, the festivities and worship commences for the week. At the end of which its taken to a bonfire. The myth following Holi, reveals that a fiend named Holika together with her brother, an atheist king by the name of Hiranyakasyapu conspired ways to kill his son Pralhad because Pralhad was an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu. But their attempts always failed for Lord Vishnu protects those who love him. Finally, Holika who having received a blessing from Lord Bramha to be immune to fire, jumped in with Pralhad. But Brahma's blessing could only be used for good purposes and so Holika was consumed by the fire where as Pralhad was saved by the grace of the Gods. Thus, Holi is said to be celebrated to rejoice Holika's extermination and the traditional bonfires are believed to commemorate her death.
According to another story, from the Puranas and the Bhagvat, Kansa sent a female demon named Putna to kill his nephew Lord Krishna. Taking the form of a nurse Putna went to Brindaban where the child Lord Krishna was growing up and tried to feed Him her poisonous milk but the attempt backfired and she was killed. Her body was burnt on the night of Holi. So some consider Holi, the festival of fire also. Holi for everyone is a time for fun and frolic. A day when one forgets the worldly anxieties and just enjoys the finer things in life.

Chhath Parba

The great festival of the Mithilanchal, Chhath is being observed from today, the fourth day of the lunar calendar. The festival bears a great significance on increasing the faith of the mankind on truth and non-violence as well as sympathy to all the living beings.This is the festival in which the sun is worshipped when it rises and sets. The festival is celebrated after Dipawali. It is especially significant for married women. They observe a two-day fast and offer prayers while keeping almost three-quarters of their body immersed in water for two hours.
This festival is observed for four days. The first day is Arba Arbain or Nahan Khan. The devotees take fast by discarding meat, garlic and onion. The second day is Kharana meaning the reduction of sin. On the third day, the devotees go to the rivers and ponds singing folk and devotional songs. The fourth day is called Paran or Parwan.
There is a tradition of listening to Surya Puran after the conclusion of Arghya or offering of curd, the devotees listen to the stories of the Chhath fasting. They also listen to a story of a greedy mother-in -law and her daughter-in-law. According to Mahabharat scriptures, the Pandavas and Draupadi had also observed the fast with sun worship for the successful completion of their exile. Meanwhile, the Kathmandu metropolis has decided to open the historic Rani Pokhari Pond for the Chhath festival. People of Terai communities had been demanding to open the pond for celebration of Chhath festival.

Chaite Dashain

This is the smaller of the two Dashain that are celebrated by most Nepalese people. The Bigger Dashain sometimes referred to as Bada Dashain falls in Sept-Oct and is celebrated for ten days while the Chaite Dashain falls in spring around Mar-April. This smaller Dashain lasts for only two days and is named after the month during which it is held. Legend has it that the Goddess Devi Durga appeared in her most powerful form in order to protect the weak from the wicked.
Hence Devi is worshipped on this day.It was Durga who helped Ram (incarnation of Vishnu), the central character of the epic Ramayana, in defeating his arch foe Ravan. It is believed Ram was eventually successful in killing Ravan on the 9th of the Nepali month Chait (Chaitra), so the second day of the festival is called Ram Nawami. (Nawami = ninth day).
An important aspect of this festival as also of Bada Dashain is the animal sacrifices, which are essential to appease Goddess Durga. Hence blood sacrifices are carried out in the temples of the Mother Goddesses who are manifestations of Goddess Durga. Many water buffaloes and goats are sacrificed during this festival. Major sacrifices take place near the Hanuman Dhoka palace at the guardhouse and also at Bhaktapur Durbar Square. Tourists may take photographs of the sacrifices from a distance.
The story goes that Ravan the demon king kidnapped Ram's wife Sita and disappeared. Ram then invoked Goddess Durga and destroyed Ravan. Another version of the story has Sita taking the form of Goddess Kali, the dangerous form of Durga and killing Ravan with her own hands.

Buddha Jayanti

Buddha’s birth anniversary is celebrated every year during May in Nepal.Lord Buddha was born as Prince Siddhartha Gautam but he abandoned his luxurious life when he realized the misery of mankind and went in search of enlightenment. On this day people swarm in Swayambhunath and Boudhanath to pay homage to Lord Buddha and also visit Buddha’s birth place in Lumbini and chant prayers and burn butter lamps.
The belief and the practice of Buddhism in Nepal dates back to the time of Prince Siddharth Gautam, who was born in the southern Terai region of the country in about 543 BC. Till he was 29, the young prince led a very sheltered life in the royal palace of his father. He was completely unaware of the tragedies of everyday life. One day, he convinced his charioteer to take him outside the walls of his palace and he was shocked to see the sight of an old man, a cripple, and a corpse. The realization that there was more to life than the lavish and luxurious life he was leading, made him abandon all the worldly pleasures and search for enlightenment and the true meaning of life. After much wandering and searching, Gautam finally attained enlightenment while meditating under a pipul tree. Henceforth, known as the "Buddha" or "the enlightened one" he began to preach "The Four Noble Truths" to all who would listen. According to this doctrine, people suffer because of their desires and the root cause of all misery is desire. These desires and consequently all problems can be totally eliminated by following the "eightfold path"- right views, right intent, right speech, right conduct, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness and right meditation.
Buddha journeyed from place to place, teaching and converting hundreds of followers. He died at the age of eighty. However, his disciples continued to spread his teachings. Because of his wise teachings Lord Buddha is revered by many Nepalese and Buddha Jayanti is celebrated with much enthusiasm throughout the Kingdom.This day falls on the full moon of the month of Baisakh and is celebrated to commemorate the birth, attainment of knowledge and the death of Lord Buddha.Thus, it is a thrice blessed day.
Prayers are sung and the Buddhists offer worship in all the major Buddhist shrines such as Swayambhu and Boudhanath.At Swayambhunath, for example millions of devout Buddhists gather to chant prayers and to burn butterlamps. The next morning a giant figure of Lord Buddha is displayed to all the followers and hundreds of small shrines are visited and worshipped. Large groups of people parade through the streets praising the Lord and his teachings. Special flags, usually red, blue; yellow and white can be seen flying high above all the Buddhist households.

Teechi

The Teechi (often pronounced "Teeji") festival is an annual event indigenous to Lo-Manthang (Upper Mustang). The name is an abbreviation of the word "Tempa Chirim" which translates as "Prayer for World Peace". This festival commemorates the victory of Lord Buddha's incarnation "Dorjee Sonnu" over a demon called Man Tam Ru a vicious creature feeding on human beings and causing storms and droughts. The Teeji festival usually takes place during the last week of May and lasts fro 3 days. Dances performed by the monks of Lo Manthang's "choedhe" monastery during the celebration display. The harassment of Ma Tam Ru Ta (in a dance called "Tsa Chham" on the first day), the birth of Dorjee Sonnu as the demon's son (on the second day called "Nga Chham"), the attempt to return the demon tolord Buddha's realm (on the third and final day). The Teeji festival dances are all organized by the Choedhe Monastery, which is that of the Sakya sect of Lo Manthang. The monastery abbot is Khempo Tasi Tenzing Rimpoche. Altogether about 65 monks from Lo Manthang, Nhenyul and Chhosyer live in the monastery.

Shree Krishna Janmastami

Sri Krishna Janmastami marks the celebration of the birth of Bhagavan Sri Krishna. This festival is also known as Krishna Jayanti or Janmashtami. Lord Krishna is regarded as the 8th avatar or 'incarnation' of Vishnu. The life of Sri Krishna is the most stirring saga of one of the greatest saviors and propounders of 'Dharma'. His life is filled with numerous dangers over which he ultimately gained victory. The stories of how he killed, one after the other, all the demonic adversaries- Pootana, Shakata, Agha, Dhenuka, Bakaa, Keshi, Kansa, Shishupala, Jarasandha etc. - has made him the peerless savior of mankind.
Mathura was the capital of a kingdom in North India. Ugrasen was the king of Mathura. He had a son, Kansa and a daughter, Devki. During the lavish wedding of Devki to Vasudev, Kansa heard a celestial voice announce,' O Kansa, Thy death is written at the hand of the eighth son born to this union.' Through the ensuing years the demon king put to death six children born to Devki in the dungeons of the Palace. On the day that Sri Krishna was born it was raining and dark. At midnight a bright light appeared in the room of Devki. Then the child was born. Vasudev, terrified for the bay's safety, carried it in a basket through the opened gates of the dungeon. On account of the heavy rain the river Yamuna was swollen. But as he stepped out of the prison the rain stopped and the dim light of the moon showed the way. A huge snake taking the shape of an umbrella protected the child. As he reached the river the waters were divided leaving a dry path for Vasudev to cross. Vasudev went to the home of his friend Nanda. He exchanged the baby boy with a baby girl and went back. The following day, when Kansa tried to kill the baby girl she slipped from his hands and the image of Devi appeared. She spoke to Kansa,''The one who is destined to kill you has already taken birth elsewhere.' Sri Krishna flourished under Nanda's and Yashodha's care and later on slew the wicked Kansa.
On Krishna Janmashtami numerous devotees flock to the ancient Krishna temple in old Patan Durbar Square to keep vigil through the glorious night of his birth. As they sit huddled together their bodies rocking in humble obeisance, the women chant the many names of the Lord,'Narayan, Narayan' and Gopal, Gopal'. Some sing ancient hymns, others clap their hands, while some pray.
Crowds of men and women edge their way slowly up narrow steps through the seated devotees to the temple's dark interior to where the main idol stands. There they offer flowers, coins and food and wait for a glimpse of Krishna Janmastami festival at Krishna Mandir the idol. After the temple priest gives them 'prasad' they make their way down to join the multitude of devotees in the streets.

Mani Rimdu

Full moon of the 9th Tibetan month) Mani Rimdu is the biggest event of the year for the Sherpas of the Khumbu region. Sherpas from the Khumbu region congregate at Thyangboche Gompa, the picturesque monastery situated on a spur at 3,870 meters from where both Mt. Everest and Ama Dablam can be seen.
The three-day celebrations of Mani Rimdu follow the ten days of non-stop prayer sessions addressed to the patron deities seeking blessing from the god of all mankind. The deity propitiated is Guru Rinpoche, the founder of Tibetan Buddhism. The ceremony begins with the blowing of horns in the afternoon after which the abbot of the monastery accompanied by other monks chant prayers. The congregation is blessed and given holy water and auspicious pellets for good luck and longevity. An orchestra of cymbals, horns, flutes, and conch hells announces the start of the second day's celebrations. Monks in colorful robes and huge glowering masks perform dances symbolizing the destruction of evil. On the last day, tormas (figures made of dough) are consigned to a sacred fire. This implies the end of negative forces and the advent of a blessed new year.

Indrajatra

The Festival of Indra Jatra takes place in September each year and heralds the end of the monsoon season. It is primarily in honor of the rain god, Indra. According to ancient legend, the young Jatra, disguised as a farmer, descended to earth in search of Parijat, a white flower his mother, Dagini, needed to perform a ritual.
He found the Parijat, but was caught by the owner of the meadow where he found the flowers. He was bound and imprisoned in Kathmandu until his mother, worried about his extended absence, came looking for him. When the city folk realized who they had imprisoned, they were appalled, and immediately released their divine prisoner. Out of appreciation for their prompt release of her son, Dagini promises enough dew throughout the winter to ensure a rich crop One of the main events of the Festival of Indra Jatra is the Kumari Jatra, or Kumari Festival (also called the Rath Jatra, or Chariot Festival), which occurs on the third and fourth days of the Indra Jatra. One of the primary events of the Kumari Jatra is the pulling of the three-tiered chariot bearing the Royal Kumari's ornate palanquin through Kathmandu.
During the three days of the festival that the Royal Kumari is carried through the streets of Kathmandu, she is attended by two other living gods, Ganesh and Bhairav. These two boys are selected in much the same way as the Royal Kumari, but as they are of lesser importance do not live in their own palaces, but with their parents and have few
ceremonial duties save the Indra Jatra festival. Ganesh is the son of Durga, or Parvati, and the son of Shiva. He has the head of an elephant because, after he was created from dust by Durga, he blocked the way when his father came back. Shiva, flying into a rage that he could not enter his home, cut off the boy's head. At the insistence of Parvati, he brought him back to life but, being unable to find the head, he gave him instead the head of a white elephant. Bhairav, or Kumar, is a manifestation of Shiva himself.

Bel Bibaha

In the Newar community, there is a unique tradition of marrying their girl child to the bel fruit. One must be familiar with the term bel bibaha. The marriage between a virgin Newari girl and bel fruit is held before the girl attains puberty. This ensures that the girl acquires active and healthy reproductive powers.
Here the bel fruit is the bridegroom, representative of the eternal bachelor (Lord Kumar, son of Lord Shiva ). In this marriage ceremony, known as Ihi in Newari, the bel fruit must look rich and ripe and must not be damaged in any kind. If by chance the fruit turns out to be a damaged one, it is believed that the girl or the bride will be destined to spend the rest of her life with an ugly looking unfaithful husband after her real marriage. However the most significant aspect of the ‘Bel Marriage’ is that once married to Lord Kumar, the woman will remain pure and chaste and even if her husband dies after the marriage she would not be considered a widow, the case in point being that she is already married to the Lord.

Ram Nahami

Lord Rama is regarded as another incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Nepalese, therefore, have deep belief and extreme faith in him. His strength, courage, purity of heart, compassion, sweetness of speech, serenity and abiding wisdom made him the favorite idol of his people.
His life story is told in the much beloved epic- the "RAMAYANA". Before the birth of Sri Ram, the world was under the reign of an evil and fiendish demon king Ravana. Ravana had pleased Lord Brahma, who bestowed on Ravana the boon that no God or demon could kill him. This gave Ravana immunity from everyone except a mortal man. Thus, to save the world from evil, Lord Vishnu took birth as Ram in the city of Ayodhya.
King Dasharath, who ruled over Ayodhya, had one misery - his three queens bore him no sons. Lord Vishnu gave them nectar to drink, and soon the eldest produced Ram, the next gave birth to Bharat and the third had twins, Lakshman and Shatrughana. All four of them became exemplary youths but it was Ram who grew in grace and virile beauty.

Another king Janak, who ruled over Mithila in southern Nepal, had a beautiful daughter called Sita. When she was about sixteen Janak held a great tournament wherein it was announed that the one that onw ho could string the divine bow of Lord Shiva would win the fair Princess Sita's hand. Princes and kings from far and wide tried to do it but all failed. But Lord Ram not only curved the bow but also snapped it in two. Thus, Lord Ram won the hand of Sita, who is regarded as the most exalted epitome of womanhood- beautiful, pious, loyal, gentle and modest.

Mata Tirtha Snan (Mother's Day)

This is one of the widely celebrated festivals that falls on the first month, Baisakh (April/May), of the Nepali Year.It is also called Mata Tirtha Aunsi as it falls on a new moon night.
The Nepalese people have always been family oriented. They take great pride in their ancient tradition of closely-knit family unit. This sort of kinship is not only the result of religious teachings, but also due to various festivals and ceremonies, which brings the family together and strengthens the family ties in the Nepalese society.
Such is the festival of "Mata Tritha Puja" which in English is "Mother's day" . This festival falls on the last day of the dark fortnight of April or early May. It is a day when one shows appreciation and gratitude to his/her mother for her unconditional love and undying support.
On this day, each house bustles with activities and everyone, regardless of age, participates. There aren't much religious ceremonies but the fact that it is a day for mothers, calls for celebrations for she is the one who keeps the family together through ups and downs in life. Even the small children dig into their savings to buy gifts for their mothers. Sons and daughters living separately, come with presents and delicacies to spend time with their mother. It is a day of reunion for married daughters with their mothers. The entire day is filled with festivities and merry making.