Patan Museum

of Lalitpur Metropolitan
Lalitpur 2020 City

January February March April

Agnisal Mela Mahashivaratri Falgu Purnima Paykhaa Jatra
15 The file temple of Agnisal is flocked with devotees who
believe the visit will help them to avoid current and
21 It is a Hindu festival celebrated before the
arrival of spring that marks the Great Night of 09 It is a Hindu festival of colours celebrated on
the full moon day of the month of Falgun.
8 It marks the first day of 3 days long litter Jatra
of idols of Lord Ganesh, Kumar, Balkumari,
anticipated misfortunes because of the stars. Shiva, a Hindu deity. Don’t be surprised if you
People celebrate by painting each other’s face and Bhringareshowr Mahadev (Shiva)
are stopped by kids in the alleys who are busy
Place: Agnishal, Lalitpur, Ward no: 19 with vermilion and other colours, and eating celebrated in Sunakothi, a farmer village
collecting alms for their bonfire on the Shivaratri
delicious food. situated south of Patan.
night.
Ward no: 26 and 27 of LMC
Gyo Chaku Sanlhu or
Samyak Mahadan Paan Chare
Maghe Sankranti
15 The day is celebrated as a day when the Sun
begins its transit to Capricorn (Makar) by
26-27 It is a night and day carnival where Dipankara
Buddha of the Golden Temple in Patan invites
24 Paa chare is the Newar festival when they invite their
daughters and their families to share meals as the holy
Mayagu Khwa Swayegu
Din(Mother's Day)
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all the other Dipankars and Avalokiteshwaras offerings after a pula to “Luku Madhyo”. On this day, people
eating a meal with Ghee (Clarified butter),
from all the Buddhist monasteries and temples worship Lord Shiva who is believed to be hiding underground Families rejoice when people bring gifts of delicious food and
Chaku (Sugarcane molasse), sesame balls
of the Kathmandu Valley and Kavre to offer as a “Luku mahadhyo”. clothes to their mothers on this day. The day is more special
and Yam and taking oil head massage blessing
Mahadan. for married women who share special bonding with their
from the elders.
It is celebrated at Nagbahal, Lalitpur, Ward no: 16 family. In the morning, people whose mothers have passed
Ghode Jatra away flock to nearby temples or Mata tirtha near Kirtipur, to
Shree Panchami
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offer alms in their mothers' memorial.

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Ghode Jatra means horse parade, which is a
It is a celebration of Goddess Saraswati, the goddess of fitting title given the day's events. A horse rider
wisdom, skills and performance. Shree Panchami is also brings a horse all the way from Balkumari
regarded as an auspicious day for performing traditional Gulpat Damaar to Patan Durbar Square after
marriage rituals or other life rituals. a ritual to mark the day.

June Beginning of Bunga

Dyo Jatra August
27
May
Bunga Dyo Jatra is the biggest and longest chariot festival of
Nepal, celebrated both by Hindus and Buddhists, which is
Bhoto Jatra organised in Lalitpur for a period of a month. The day marks

09
the official beginning of the chariot festival after a
This is the final event of the month long Chariot Festival of month-long preparation of building the chariot by locals. Janai Purnima

03
Bungdyo. On this day, before the chariot is dismantled and Newars of Kathmandu Valley call this festival
Place: Pulchowk (ward 3) to Gabahal (ward 16)
Bughdyo idol is carried to Bungamati village, an event to Gunhi Punhi which means 9th full moon of the
display a lost and found vest, which is believed to be found by year. On this day, Brahmin priests tie yellow
Buddha Jayanti a farmer in his field in ancient times. sacred threads around the wrists of the faithful

06
Jawalakhel Ground, Ward no: 4 or around the torso for a person coming from
The celebration of the birthday of Lord Buddha Brahmin or Chetri lineage. A soup made out of
is organised by various neighbourhoods in 9 different legumes is the delicacy prepared at

July
Patan, Bungamati or Sunakothi. It is every household.
celebrated with great enthusiasm in Patan as
40% of the population is Buddhist.
Gai Jatra
Sithi Nakha October 04
The festival of cows is one of the most popular festivals in
Nepal. People with deceased family members parade cows

28 This festival marks the end of yearly offerings to lineage deity

given by all the Newa families by welcoming Kumar ( elder Gathamuga Cahre (also Ghanta
in the memorial of the lost family member during the year. It
is also common to see young boys decorated as cows
taking part in the parade.
son of Lord Shiva) and cleaning the nearby water sources like
wells, ponds and stone spouts. Waa or lentil pancake is a Karna)
delicacy cooked in every household.
Sikali Jatra/Khokana Jatra Matya Jatra
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This celebration commends the expulsion of a legendary evil
spirit, Gathamuga or Ghantakarna (Bell-ears) who, as per

17 05
Matya Jatra, literally the Festival of Light, is a
Sikali Jatra or Khokana Jatra is celebrated during the first five myth, threatened the Kathmandu valley inhabitants.
typical Newar festival of Lalitpur. There is a
days of the Mohni Festival (Dashain festival) in Khokana. Crossroads will be seen with burning hay man who
custom that families with deceased members
resembles Gathamuga.
Khokana, Lalitpur, Ward no : 21 participate in a walk through every Buddhist
Celebrated throughout the valley. stupas and other Hindu temples as a

September
memorial. Light offered by many participants
Nalaswanegu Din or Ghatastha- usually dressed in traditional dresses makes
Naag Panchami it spectacular and makes everyone realise
pana that death is the ultimate truth.

25 It is a festival to mark respect to serpents as the water

17
It marks the beginning of Mohanni (or Dashain in Nepali), the guardians, and to ensure regular rainfall in the Kathmandu
biggest festival of Nepa, celebrated by Hindus and Buddhistsl. Valley. Krishna Janmastami
People initiate a kalash, (holy water vessel) symbolizing

11
Krishna Janmastami marks the birth of Krishna. Thousands
Indra Jatra Goddess Durga and plant Nalaswa (or Jamara) in the prayer
of devotees gather at the Shikara Style Krishna Mandir,

01 Indra Jatra is the celebration of God Indra, the god of rain and
(pooja) room.
Nagdaha Mela (Nagpanchami) believed to be made out of single boulder, in Patan Durbar
Square on this day. Visits by the former royal family and

25
good harvest. It is celebrated for five days, but Samaya baji is A huge mela is organized at Nagdaha, believed to be the
head of the state to the Krishna Mandir makes this day
offered at specific places on specific days; starting from
Phoolpati dwelling of Champak Naag, situated in Dhapakhel of lalitpur.
special for Patan

23
Ekhachhen on 1st day to Purnachandi on 5th day. People worship serpent god by offering dubo (Bermuda
Fifth day of Mohani is celebrated in Phoolpati by bringing a grass), milk, paste of rice grains and red vermilion powder.
vessel with flowers all the way from Gorkha to Kathmandu
Purnachandi Bhuja Jatra Valley.
Ward no: 23 Bhimsen Chariot Jatra

05 13
Nepalese Devotees carry a chariot of Lord Bhimsen during
This festival is marked for a spectacular display of 12 heaps of
Pancha Daan the bhimsen jatra festival celebrated in Lalitpur. Deity
decorated rice, as an offering to the Purnachandi temple near
Gabahal. The heap is decorated with 84 traditional Newa Ashtami Bhimsen is worshipped in belief of prosperity to business and

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wealthy.

8,24
Pancha Daan is the festival of offering five types of alms, to
dishes. The offering is believed to protect Patan from lightning. The eighth day of Vijayadashami is called
remember and practise Buddha’s dana shila two of the 6 Mangalbazar, Lalitpur, Ward no: 16
Maha Ashtami.Durga Bhawani and Kali Mata
Ward no: 20 moralities taught by Buddha. The Buddhists of Patan
(different names and incarnations) are
observe Pancha Daan by offering alms using the resources
worshipped with very high dedication. People
sacrifice animals to Goddesses.
of family trust maintained for offering daana, to monks. Baayagu Khwa Swayegu Din
Usually a Dipankara or Avalokiteshvara idol is preserved by
Buddhist families as a symbol of this trust, which is (Father's Day)
Mahanavami displayed at the courtyards on this day.

November 19
Families rejoice when people bring gifts of delicious food and

9,25
Ninety day of mohani is marked by worshipping Durga or clothes to their fathers on this day. The day is more special
Taleju Bhwani. At Patan Durbar Square, Taleju temple, for married women who share special bonding with their
sacrificial rituals of 21 buffaloes are offered at the early family. In the morning, people whose fathers have passed
morning of Mahanavami. At Subahal, there is a special early away flock to nearby temples or to offer alms in their
morning ritual where people believe that human sacrifices mothers' memorial.
used to be made in ancient times on Mahanavami.

Ko Puja (Kaag Tihar) Gunla

Aju/Aji Manakamana Jatra
13 20
1 Gunla starts fifteen days before the full moon. During these
2
It marks the first day of Sunti (Tihar or Festival of Light). People auspicious thirty days the Buddhists devote themselves with

25
10
worship crows by offering them sweets and other alms for they Bungamati is also the home abode of Goddess Manakamana. great enthusiasm. It is Celebrated in the Newar community.
believe crows are the messengers of death. Bungamati observes Manakamana Jatra as the main festival
11
of Bungamati during Navami, Dashami and Ekadashami of
Dashain festival. 3 Teej
Khicha Puja (Kukur Tihar) Bungamati, Lalitpur, Ward no: 22 16
9

21
20 Teej is the biggest festival for Hindu women in Nepal. Teej is

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It marks the second day of Tihar. People worship dogs by 8 traditionally dedicated to the Goddess Parvati, remembering
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offering them good food and other alms for they believe that Payaa Piha Woigu (Khadga Jatra) 4
7
her union with Lord Shiva. Hindu women keep a rigid fasting
in for their husbands which is believed to give them long and
dogs show their way to heaven upon their deaths. 6

25
healthy lives.
It is celebrated by the Newari Community. The Paya is
Laxmi Puja regarded as a victory procession, celebrating the triumph of 13

14 Chatha
good over evil following the legend of the victory of Goddess
It is celebrated on the third day of Sunti and one of the most Durga over Mahishasura, the demon.

22
important days of Sunti. On this day, people worship Laxmi, the In Nepal, it is mostly celebrated by Newars.This festival is also
goddess of wealth and prosperity. In the morning cows are 15 known as Ganesh Chaturthi (celebrated in different ways in
offered special alms as people resemble cows as Goddess
Laxmi herself.
Vijaya Dashami 18 14 India). People worship the waxing moon on the 4th day after
no moon.

Mha Puja
26 It marks the 10th day of Mohni festival, where the elder of the
family offers the jamara, which grows to decent size along with
tika (rice grains mixed with crimson powder) is offered to
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Sunakothi, Lalitpur, Ward no: 26, 27

15 Rishi Panchami
his/her descendents and the relatives. 23
Fourth day of Sunti (or Tihar) or Mha Puja is 28

23
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also celebrated as a new year for Nepal Rishi Panchami, the last day of Teej festival celebrated by
Sambat or Newar Calendar. On this day, 26 Hindu women, is being marked across the country. On this
people worship their own body in a family day, women keep a fast after performing a body and soul
ritual, after cleansing their body, where they 29
cleansing ritual at a nearby river in the morning.
offer themselves a puja and treat themselves

December
with Newar feast. 27
It is celebrated throughout the country. 24

Kija Puja
16
22
Last day of Sonti. It is the day where sisters meet their brothers
and offer a ritual to wish long and good lives to their brothers.
Brothers offer gifts to their sisters in return to show their
Yomari Punhi
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affection.
It is celebrated throughout the country. Yomari Punhi is a Newari festival marking the
end of the rice harvest. People of the
Kathmandu Valley worship Annapurna, the
Goddess of Grains, for the rice harvest on this
full moon day. A delicacy It is celebrated as a
jatra at Harisiddhi, Lalitpur, Ward no: 28 and 29.
It is celebrated as a jatra at Harisiddhi, Lalitpur
Ward no: 28 and 29.