APRIL - MAY
Rato Machhendranath Rath Jatra : The Chariot ride of Red Machhendranath
One of the most important festivals and also one of the most spectacular of all the festivals to be marked in Patan takes place in April or early May
when the massive chariot of Rato Machhendranath is hauled through the narrow streets of Patan.
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Buddha Jayanti: The full moon of Lord Buddha’s Birth
In contrast to other adjoining cities that marks up as her neighbors, Patan has been densely inhabited by the Shaykas and the Bajracharyas, all of whom
have Buddhism as their principle religion, as unlike in Kathmandu and Bhaktapur. This has seen to Patan celebrating, rather on a very grand scale, the
birth celebration of Buddha, the initiator of Buddhism.
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MAY - JUNE
Sithinakha: The birthday of the warrior god Kumar
This time of the year is marked by the important festival for the Newar inhabitants of the city - Sithinakha. It is widely celebrated by worshipping
the ancestral god of one’s clan. The religious ceremony is followed by sumptuous feast. This day is also marked by cleaning the sources of water by the
valley dwellers.
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JULY - AUGUST
Gunla: The Scared month of Lord Buddha
The fifteen days before full moon of August or early September, and the fifteen which follow, comprise the scared lunar month of
Gunla, the holiest of
period of the Buddhists.
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Naga Panchami: The day of the Snake Gods
Although one sees a live snake in the Valley, they are very much with us, as evidenced by the wood, stone and metal carved serpents which adore the
idols of the gods and the kings alike, the temples and the shrines, water taps and sunken ponds and even shops and homes.
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Janai Purnima: The Scared Thread Festival
Janai Purnima falls on the full moon day of August and is a time marked with festivals that begin the preceding evening, continuing all through the day
and lasting far into the night.
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AUGUST - SEPTEMBER
Gai Jatra: The procession of Sacred Cows
Legend has it that this festival was initiated by the king who had just lost his son to death. It is believed that this fate was unbearable to the queen
and the king initiated this festival to show that other people in their kingdom had also lost their loved ones.
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Krishna Aasthami: The birthday of Lord Krishna
In whole of the country Lord Krishna is worshipped with enough feverish ceremonies to render every other gods, goddess and deities green with jealously.
In Patan, where one of the most important temple dedicated to Krishna is situated, the marking of the ceremonies to celebrate the Lord can be summed up
by one word: Grand.
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SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER
Dashain: The Universal Mother-Goddess triumphs over Evil
Dashain is by far the longest, most auspicious and most joyous time of the year, celebrated by equal respect and devotion all over the country. The
celebration period of Dashain marks the victory of goddess Durga who liberated the sufferings of the people from the miseries caused by the evil demons
headed by their fierce king:
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OCTOBER - NOVEMBER
Tihar or Diwali: Goddess Laxmi’s Festival of Lights
Tihar brings the worship of Laxmi, Goddess of Wealth; and to the Newars - day to worship one’s own body or self. Also worshipped in turn are the lowly
dog and ill-omened crow, as well as the ever sacred cow, the
family money box and the brothers of every home.
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FEBEUARY - MARCH
Shiva Ratri: The Scared Night of Lord Shiva
Shiva Ratri, literally meaning ‘the night consecrated to Shiva’ is celebrated by paying tribute and homage to the Lord himself. As the name suggests the
festival; has more to night than the day, as for in the nights the true grandeur is manifested. The temples premises light up with the open bonfire that
is lighted, for the belief that on this day the warmth of the fire is to be felt by everyone.
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Holi: The Festival of Color
The arrival of Holi, named after the mythical demoness Holika finds men, women and children of all age and from all cast of life doused with scared red
powder or splashed with scarlet liquid.
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