Nepal's capital Kathmandu, is a perfect city for touring, sightseeing, and enjoying events. There are a number of interesting events and festivals held in Kathmandu that attract tourists to the city. Loshar, Dashain, Shivaratri, Ghode Jatra, Buddha Jayanti, Tihar, Holi and Indra Jatra are some of the popular Kathmandu events that are celebrated with grandeur and elegance every year.
Festivals of Kathmandu
Loshar: It is a major holiday in the Tibetan calendar. The Tibetan New Year popularly known, as Loshar is a colorful and fun filled event in Kathmandu. The Tibetan people in Kathmandu dress up in their traditional outfits, gather in large numbers near the stupa and sing in joy.
Dashain: Held during September and October, Dashain is one of the most important festivals in Kathmandu, Nepal. It is also known as Bara Dashain, Durga Puja, Vijaya Dashain and Dasara. It symbolized the victory of good over evils. Goddess Durga conquered the demons on this day. The celebrations are held for 15 days.
Shivaratri: It is one of the important Hindu festivals held during February of March. During this festival, Lord Shiva is worshiped.
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The devotees fast the whole day and at night pour water and milk on the Shivalingam. People crowd in huge numbers at the Pashupatinath temple to offer their prayers and worship the god.
Ghode Jatra: This is an exciting and interesting festival of horse, where horses from the Nepal army are made to run and trample all over the Tundikhel grounds in a parade show. This they believe would destroy the soul of the demon named Tundi. According to a legend the people of Kathmandu killed this demon that resides on this valley.
Buddha Jayanti: There are a number of Buddhist people residing in Kathmandu. For then this is a great festival where they worship Lord Buddha, especially to Bouddhanath and Swayambhunath.
Tihar: Tihar, a festival of colorful lights, is celebrated for a period of 5 consecutive days. The whole Kathmandu city is decorated with lights during the month of October.
Indra Jatra: This religious festival is celebrated for 7 days in the month of September by both Hindus and the Buddhists. Lord Indra is worshiped by the people during the celebrations. The procession of the Kumari or girl goddess in a decorated chariot is a major highlight of the festival.
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