Festival of Seto Machchhendranath (March-April)
This is a four-day chariot festival held in honor of the White (Seto) Machchhendranath (to be
distinguished from the Red (Rato) form of the same divinity in Patan), who is actually the
Padmapani Lokeshwara, whose permanent shrine is situated at Janabahal in Kel Tole in the middle
of the old bazaar in Kathmandu. A huge chariot of wood supported on four large wheels and
carrying a tall spire covered with green foliage is made ready for receiving the image of the
divinity on this occasion and for dragging in the old part of city.
Matatirtha Aunsi or Mother’s Day (April)
This day is observed as the Mother’s Day with the expression of proper regards towards one’s
mother. It is individually performed by persons out of filial piety. Those whose mothers are
already dead go to bathe and offer ablutions to their dead mothers at Matatirtha near Thankot
village. The fortunate ones whose mothers are alive present her with gifts of sweetmeats and
receive blessing from them.
Buddha Jayanti : (full moon day of April/May)
Buddha Jayanti is a great day for the Nepalese. This day which falls on the full moon of the
month of Baisakh is celebrated to commemorate the birth, attainment of enlightenment and
the death of Gautama Buddha, the founder preacher of Buddhism, more than 2500 Years ago.
It is a thrice blessed day. It is the day when Buddha was born, when he was enlightened and
when he got Nirvana (Salvation). prayers are sung and worship is offered by the devotees in
leading Buddhist shrines throughout the country including Lumbini in the Rupandehi district,
which is the birth place of Lord Buddha, the Light of Asia. There is a great fair held at Lumbini
on this day.
Ghanta Karna : (June -July)
Ghanta Karna is also known as ‘Gathyamuga’. This festival is a relic of the belief in demonolatry
by the people of the Valley. Ghanta Karna, a demon and other evil spirits are propitiated and
exercised on this day. An effigy made of green reeds is erected at all the main cross-roads of
the town in the day. A person is painted in all kinds of colour till he looks like a grotesque figure
representing the demon Ghanta Karna. This symbolic demon goes begging in the locality. At
the end of the day he is dragged to a river on the green reeds symbolizing the driving away of
the demon from the locality.
Naga Panchami : (July-August)
This is devoted to the worship of the Nagas, the divine serpents. Pictures of the Naga are stuck
over the doorposts of all the houses in the morning as protective spells. This is also the day for
the beginning of Gunialakhe dance in Kathmandu in which persons wearing masks of a demon
entertain the people with their gimmick. People visit Nagpokhari, dedicated to Naga, the
snake God.
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CHAPTER 2 : TOURISM PRODUCTS AND INFRASTRUCTURES 22
