Festivals of Nepali — Share this information!
Festivals of Nepali
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Like any other Nepali community in the world, Nepali community of Sikkim celebrate number of festivals. Festivals are scheduled according to a lunar calendar which does not coincide with the solar calendar currently used in Nepal, nor the Gregorian calendar. This community has several sub clans or Cast divisions, majority are Hindu, some are converted to Buddhism and Christian.
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Dasain or Vijaya Dasami
This festival falls in the month of "Ashoja" (Sept-Oct) of Nepali calender and celebrated by all Hindu Nepali. It has ten days of religious rituals, followed by offerings of Goddess Durga, the Symbol of Power. The festival symbolizes the victory of good over evil and commemorates the killing of demon called Mahisasura by Goddess Durga. This day elder people bless the younger ones by smearing tika on their forehead.
Tyohar (Laxmi Puja/Dewali)
This festival literally is Diwali, that is celebrated by all Hindus of the world.
Bhai Tika
This festival falls on the third day of Tyohar, and is celebrated by all Hindu Nepali. It symbolizes the strong relationship between brother and sisters. On this day sister worship her brother by applying Tika on his forehead, and by breaking of walnut marks the killing of Demon to protect brother from death and evil spirits.
Ram Nawami or Chaite Dasain
This festival is celebrated by all Hindu Nepali on the Chaite Dasai of Nepali calender. i.e around end of April. It is the celebration of New Year and marks the birth of Lord Rama. It is said that he was the reincarnation of Lord Vishnu in human form to slain and relive the earth from the curelty of intelligent demon king called Ravana.
Maghey Sakranti (Makkar Sakranti)
It falls on the first day of Magha (Jan) of Nepali Calender. The people worship Surya, the Sun God on this day, During this festival people take bath in early morning at the rivers and streams, and eat Tarul (wild yams & tubers)
Janmastami
The festival is celebrated to commemorate the birth of lord Krishna. This falls on the Astami or eight day of Bhadra month of Nepali Calendar, which is sometimes during August-September. People remain awake till mid night and prey Lord-Krishna. He was born at mid-night hour on this day.
Sonam Lhochhar
Tamang (Buddhist) sect of Nepali Community celebrate this festival, that symbolizes the arrival of New Year on the Magha of Nepali Calendar (During February). Lho means year and Chhar means new.
Tamu Lochar
This festival is celebrated by Gurung (Buddhist) sect of Nepali community, this also symbolizes the arrival of Tamu New Year as Tamang Community. It falls on the Pus Pandra of Nepali Calendar. (During December).
Sakewa
This festival is celebrated by Kirat Rai sect of Nepali Community, the other Kirat sect is Limbu. Unlike other Hindu and Buddhist Nepali communities they celebrates three stones of their traditional chula(Kitchen), and perform dance called "Silli". This festival falls on baisakha of Nepal calender (during May-June).
Teyongsi Sirijunga Sawan Tongnam
This symbolizes the birth anniversary of Teyongsi Srijunga who is considered as an incarnate of the Sirijunga, the Limboo King and inventor of Limboo script. It is observed during full moon day of Mangsir month of Nepali Calendar (during December).