Festival dates from August to December 2024 from Nag Panchami to Mane Festival in Simikot
August 9, 2024: Nag Panchami
Nag Panchami is a major sacred festival celebrated by Hindus in Nepal. It is dedicated to showing respect to the serpents mentioned in ancient Hindu scriptures. During this festival, snakes are bathed with milk, and haldi-kumkum is sprinkled on their heads. Milk and rice are offered as Prasad to the snakes. Cow’s milk is essential for worshiping the Nags. It is believed that if Nags are angered, they can cause ailments such as lameness or blindness. To avoid such fears, people worship the Nags on this day. It is believed that proper worship on this day will protect one from snake bites. Nags are also considered the sources of water, so worship is performed at spouts and springs, believed to be their residences.
August 19, 2024: Janai Purnima and Gai Jatra
Janai Purnima is celebrated with a vibrant procession featuring cows and people in costumes painted like cows. Relatives of the deceased from the past year join religious groups in this procession.
August 20, 2024: Gai Jatra
The cow, or ‘Gai,’ is sacred to Hindus, representing Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, and guiding the souls of the departed. Gai Jatra is a lively event filled with satire, jokes, fancy costumes, and colorful processions. People recall an eighteenth-century king who encouraged his subjects to cheer up his queen after their son’s death. Those who have lost loved ones during the past year find solace in the belief that the cow has safely guided the departed souls. The streets are filled with young men in women’s saris, children dressed as cows, and whimsical characters. It is an excellent time for photography in Bhaktapur.
August 27, 2024: Shree Krishna Janmastami
Hindus observe Krishna Janmastami by staying awake all night, performing religious dances, and singing praises of Lord Krishna. It is a good opportunity for photography at Krishna temples, such as those in Patan.
September 6, 2024: Teej – Festival for Women
Teej is a fasting festival observed by women in Nepal to honor Lord Shiva and pray for their husbands’ long and healthy lives. Unmarried girls also fast for a good husband. The festival lasts for three days, featuring traditional dances and songs. Women dress in red or bridal clothes, which are considered auspicious. It is an excellent time for photography at Pashupatinath.
September 17, 2024: Indra Jatra
This week-long festival begins with hoisting Lord Indra’s flag (Indradhoj) at midnight, and Bhairava deities’ faces are displayed in prominent public places. Indra, the king of heaven and rain controller, is honored as the monsoon season ends. Kathmandu’s Durbar Square becomes the center of celebrations, including masked dances and parades. The festival commemorates the release of Indra from captivity by the Valley’s people and involves masks and statues of Vishnu, Bhairab, and Shiva. It is the best time to visit Kathmandu Durbar Square for mask dances and rallies.
October 3 to October 12, 2024: Dasain
Dasain is Nepal’s longest and most cherished festival. Families come together, and all offices and schools are closed. The skies of Kathmandu are filled with kites, and markets are busy with animals for sacrifice. The festival includes the ‘Kal Ratri’ night of animal sacrifices to goddess Durga, new clothes and tika for elders on Dasami, and a time for family reunions and feasting. The festival ends with the full moon.
October 3, 2024: Ghatasthapana
Ghatasthapana marks the beginning of Dasain and involves sowing maize and barley, known locally as Jamara.
October 10, 2024: Phulpati
The festival becomes more visible as Brahmins bring flowers from Gorkha Durbar to Hanuman Dhoka. The Royal family witnesses the army parade and the Guard of Honour.
October 11, 2024: Mahanavami
On Mahanavami, Goddess Durga is worshipped as Saraswati, the deity of knowledge and wisdom. The day also includes mass animal sacrifices at temples and homes, continuing into the next day.
October 12, 2024: Vijaya Dasami (Tika)
On Vijaya Dasami, elders mark the foreheads of juniors with ‘Tika,’ and families visit respected relatives for feasts and festivities.
October 17, 2024: Kojagrat Purnima
Kojagrat Purnima is the final day of the 15-day Dashain festival and is a national festive day in Nepal.
October 30 to November 3, 2024: Tihar – Diwali Festival of Lights
Tihar, also known as the Festival of Lights, is the second major Hindu festival in Nepal. It features candlelight, decorations, and sweets, with offerings and small celebrations for crows, dogs, cows, and oxen. On Laxmi Puja night, lamps are lit to welcome Laxmi, the goddess of wealth. Mha Puja, the New Year’s Day according to the Nepal Era, is a self-blessing day. Bhai Tika, the final day, involves sisters marking their brothers’ foreheads with tika and garlands.
October 30, 2024: Cow Puja (Gai Tihar) and Laxmi Puja
Gai Tihar, or Cow Puja, is celebrated with devotion, while Laxmi Puja involves lighting lamps to invite the goddess of wealth into homes and offices.
November 2, 2024: Goverdhan Puja (Goru Puja) and Mha Puja
Goverdhan Puja honors Lord Krishna’s victory over Indra, and Mha Puja is performed by the Newar people to purify and empower the soul for the New Year.
November 3, 2024: Bhai Tika
On the last day of Tihar, sisters apply tika to their brothers and pray for their long life and prosperity.
November 7, 2024: Chhath Parva
Chhath Parva is a significant Vedic festival dedicated to the Sun God. Celebrated mainly in Mithila and southern Nepal, it is a time for worship and thanks to the Sun for sustaining life on Earth. It is an excellent time for photography in Janakpur.
October/November – Mani Rimdu – Tengboche & Chiwang Monastery – Everest Region
Dates to be announced. This Sherpa festival, celebrated at Tengboche Monastery in the Everest region, includes plays, masked dances, prayers, and feasting. It is a vibrant and colorful event, rewarding for visitors to the Everest region.
December 6, 2024: Bibah Panchami at Janakpur
Bibah Panchami commemorates the marriage of Ram and Sita from the Ramayana. The festival features processions and reenactments of their wedding. It is an ideal time for photography. Read more in details at our blog.
December 15, 2024: Ubhali Parba – Festival of the Mangol Ethnic Group
Ubhali Parba includes worshiping “Mother Earth” and the Sakela dance, where people wear traditional attire and dance in circles. It is best to visit Tundikhel in Kathmandu to see people in ethnic dress and dancing.
Mane Festival in Simikot – February 10-12, 2025
The Mane Festival is celebrated at Simikot, with a date near the full moon in Magh. The festival includes local customs and is a notable event in the region.
Mane Festival in Simikot: The Mane Festival, celebrated in Simikot of Humla, Nepal, is a vibrant and unique cultural event that showcases the rich traditions of the region. Held annually around the full moon in Magh (January-February), the festival typically occurs in winter in Himalaya of Nepal.
This Mane Festival in Simikot is distinctive for its spiritual and cultural significance. During Mane Festival, the local people gather to pay homage to their ancestors and deities, celebrating with elaborate ceremonies and traditional rituals. The centerpiece of the festival is the creation of intricately carved stone structures called “manes,” which are adorned with sacred inscriptions and mantras. These structures are placed along pilgrimage routes, symbolizing spiritual progress and protection.
The festival is also marked by lively processions and vibrant dance performances. Participants, dressed in traditional attire, engage in dances and songs that reflect their cultural heritage and community spirit. The festivities create a colorful and festive atmosphere, making it an excellent opportunity for photography enthusiasts to capture the essence of Nepal’s cultural richness.
Overall, the Mane Festival in Simikot is a celebration of tradition, spirituality, and community, offering a unique glimpse into the cultural fabric of the region. We take our clients annually to observe this rare and unique Mane Festival in Simikot. Write to us.
Why the Mane Festival in Simikot is observed?
Primarily it is for religious and cultural reason. Here are some key reasons why the Mane Festival in Simikot is celebrated?
- Buddhist Tradition: The Mane Festival is deeply rooted in the Buddhist traditions followed by the inhabitants of Humla, particularly the ethnic Tibetan and Bhotia communities. The festival is a way to honor and celebrate their Buddhist heritage, which is central to their cultural identity.
- Spiritual Cleansing and Blessing: The festival is believed to bring spiritual cleansing and blessings to the participants and the community as a whole. It involves various religious rituals, prayers, and offerings to deities, aiming to purify the mind and soul.
- Community Bonding: The Mane Festival in Simikot serves as an important occasion for community bonding. It brings together people from different villages and regions within Humla, fostering a sense of unity and shared cultural identity. The festival is marked by communal activities, feasts, and traditional dances.
- Preservation of Cultural Heritage: Observing the Mane Festival helps in preserving and passing down cultural and religious traditions to younger generations. It ensures that the unique customs, rituals, and practices of the Humla region are maintained and cherished.
- Agricultural Significance: In some instances, the festival is linked to the agricultural calendar. It is observed to pray for good harvests, favorable weather, and protection of livestock, which are crucial for the sustenance of the local communities.
- Tourism and Cultural Exchange: The Mane Festival attracts visitors and tourists to Humla, providing an opportunity for cultural exchange. It allows outsiders to experience the rich cultural tapestry of the region, promoting tourism and economic benefits for the local communities.
Overall, the Mane Festival in Humla is a vibrant expression of the region’s spiritual beliefs, cultural traditions, and communal harmony, making it a significant event in the local calendar.
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