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DATE | EVENTS | PLACE | DESCRIPTION | ORGANIZATION/ CONTD. ADD | REMARKS |
January 1 Thursady | Official Opening of Visit Nepal 1998 (VNY'98) | TI/KTM | Welcome Tourists at the Airport by offering garlands, Souvenirs. Street Illumination. | VNY'98 Main Committee |
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January 1 Thursday | First visitor to each hotel will be offered complimentary accomodation for the day | KTM |
| HAN |
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January - December | Bhajan Kirtan | Pashupatinath Temple, Gujeshwari Temple, Bhadrakali Temple, Krishna Mandir Temple | Religious hymns & devotional songs throughout the year in the mornings. |
| Entrance to Pashupatinath & Gujeshwari Temples are only for Hindus. |
January - December | Bhajan | Swayambhunath Temple, Machindra Bahal, Ason Dublee, Nhyakantala/KTM | Buddhist religious chanting & devotional songs. | Gyanmala Bhajan Khalak & Other Local Dapa Khala | Morning in the Swayambhunath Temple & night hymns at other temples. |
January 1-10 | Book Exihibition | Thamel, KTM | Books on development in Nepal | Tiwari Pilgrims Book House Thamel |
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January 11-14 | Gorkha Festival | Gorkha | Chariot procession of Founder of Nation - Late Prithivi Narayan Shah. Folk dance, ethnic dress competition, food festival, staging of open theatre, Gorkha Khukuri dance & other exciting activities. | Centre For Gorkha Study & Community Cultural Tours. VNY Gorkha Committee |
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Jan - Dec | Yoga, Meditation & Art of Natural Life | KTM | Local people (50-200) participation in Yoga, Meditation & Art of Natural Life. | Nepal Yoga & Nature Cure Association, Biratnagar, Nepal. | Every month (3 camps) 1-7, 10-16, 20-26 |
Jan - Dec | International Folk Dance Festival | KTM |
| Sports Dev. Nepal |
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Jan 11 Sunday | Prithivi Jayanti | All over the Kingdom | National unity day. King Prithivi Narayan Shah's (Founder of modern Nepal) Birthday. | GOs and NGOs | Promote the national interest |
Jan 12 Monday | Swasthani brata | All over the Kingdom | Hindu Devotees keep fasting abd offer puja to Lord Shiva. The ritual lasts for one month | Hindu families | Ritual for happy conjugal life. |
Jan 17-19 | Adventure Travel Mart, Asia (ATMA'98) | Bhrikuti Mandap, KTM |
| House of Rajkarnicar |
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Jan 24 Saturday | Sattila Ekadasi Brata | Fair in Sankhu / Kath. | Holy dip in Sati river in Sankhu, Ktm. |
| Local festival |
| Jan 28 Wednesday | Amabasya (Madhav Narayan Mella) | Kath/Aryaghat, Butwal, Triveni (Parasi) | Holy bath, charity |
| Local festival |
Jan 29 Thursday | Martyr's day | All over kingdom | Pay homage and tributes to His Majesty King Tribhuvan and to known and unknown martyrs. | GOs and NGOs. | National Event |
February 1 Sunday | Shree Panchami | All over the kingdom | Holy recitation by priests about the advent of Spring. In Ktm a religious function is held at the courtyard of historic Hanuman Dhoka. HM also graces the function. This day also marks beginning of the academic career of Hindu & Buddhist children of KTM. |
| National Festival |
February | Bhaktapur Shri Panchami Mela | Bhaktapur, Narayan Chok | The Newars of Bhaktapur organise a mass Iheen, a ritual to marry girls with bell fruits. | Bhaktapur Municipality | Through the month |
Feb - Mar | Loshar Festival | Throughout the country esp. in hills & Lama community | Tibetan New Year Day. Lots of feasts & festivities. |
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Feb 7 Saturday | Bhima Ekadasi Brata |
| Lord Vishnu Worshipped. Religious procession. | Devotees keep fasting. |
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Feb 11 Wednesday | Purnima Brata / Swasthani Brata | All over the kingdom. | Observed as a final day of the month long offerings of puja to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. |
| Magh Sankaranti. Devotees in and around Ktm also make a beeline for a holy spot Salinadi eight mile NE of KTM on this full moon day. |
Feb 13 Friday | Fagun Sankranti | All over the kingdom | Colour festival of Hindus. |
| First day of hills. The following day in Terai. |
Feb 13 Friday | Toran - la | Thak Khola, Mustang & Thakali inhibitat areas | Feast, festival & archery in honour of departed souls. |
| Ethnic festival |
Feb 19 Thursday | Democracy day | All over the kingdom | Also King Tribhuvan's Birth Anniversary. On this historic day King Tribhuvan, Father of Nation, brought about revolutionary democratic changes in Nepal and brought an end to the Rana Regime. |
| National Event |
Feb 21 Saturday | International Tourist Guide Day | Kathmandu | To be celeberated with different activities. | TURGAN |
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February 25, Wednesday | Shivaratri | All over the kingdom | Greatest religious festival of the Hindus. Hindu pilgrims from within the country and from India come to Lord Pashupatinath-the guardian deity of Nepal. Grand fair held at the temple area. |
| National Festival |
February 25, Wednesday | Shivaratri | Accham -a far west district of Nepal | In the far west of Nepal; in - Accham, 'Deuda' dance is famous. The whole area is illuminated by burning pine splinders & appears to be a dream land. |
| Regional Festival |
Feb 27 Friday | International Car Rally Championship | KTM /Chitwan/ KTM | Sports Development Nepal |
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Feb 28 Saturday | International Marathon | KTM | Marathon Championship | Association of International Marathon Org. |
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Feb 28 Saturday | Tree Plantation | Gundu | Tree Plantation on Memorial Parks | Hotel Mt. Monastery |
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February | A Thousand & One Lights Festival | Buddhist Stupa of Bodhnath | Buddhists from the Tibetan & Nepalese Himalayas visit KTM to conduct trade & to worship valley's ancient & sacred shrines of Lord Buddha. |
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March | Classical Nepalese Dance and Music | Pagoda Hall, Bajra Hotel | Classical charya and other yogini dance | Bajra Hotel | March - April |
March | The Great Kathmandu Rickshaw Race | Durbar Marga / Ktm |
| Aries Advertising |
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March | Kathmandu Drama Ensemble | Studio 7, Bajra Hotal | Drama shows | Bajra Hotel | Fri - Sat- Sun throughout March - April |
March 1 - 7 | International Tiger Conservation Conference | Chitwan National Park | World famous cat specialist and other tiger lover will be gathered at Chitwan National Park to talk on conservation of Tiger habitat & population. | WWF / DNP / KMTNC / IUCN |
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March 1 - 7 | Tharu Week | Chitwan Sauraha | A week long Tharu cultural festival exhibiting craft shows, traditional music, and organising bear, monkey dance, traditional games, buffalo race, etc. | Sauraha Hotel & Tourism Dev. Com. |
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March 1 - 7 | Yoga, Meditation & Art of Natural Life | Gosaikunda | Local peoples (50-200) participation in Yoga, Meditation & Art of Natural Life. | Nepal Yoga & Nature Cure Association, Biratnagar, Nepal. | The same programme will be organised again from March 20 - 26 |
March 6 - 12 | Chirosthan Holi Arambha (Festival of Colours) | All over the Kingdom | Festival of colours begins. Marked by throwing of Vermillion and other colours on relatives and acquintances. |
| National festival |
March 10 -15 | Rock Climbing Training |
| 20 School Students will take part | NMA | Place to be confirmed |
March 12 Thursday | Holy Festival |
| Special event of festival of colours marked by throwing of vermillion and other lively colours on relatives and friends. | HAN |
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March 13 - 26 | International Paragliding & Hang Gliding Compition | Langtang |
| Para Gliding Pvt. Ltd. |
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March 15 Sunday | Exhibition of Medicinal Plants & Ayurveda Literature Books | Thamel, KTM | Exhibition Cum Sales | Ayurveda Health & Research Centre, KTM | Continue upto 15-05-1998. |
March 16 - 21 | Rock Climbing | 20 Campus | Students will participate | NMA |
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Mar 27 Friday | Ghoda Jatra | KTM Tundikhel | Horse race, cycle race, Newari religious procession at Bhadrakali temple. |
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Mar 30 - Apr 10 | Everest Cleaning | Solukhumbu | Reputed Climbers (National & International) will participate for cleaning expedition. | NMA |
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March -April | Tourism exhibitions |
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| NATA | Date to be confirmed |
April 1- 7 | Yoga, Meditation & Art of Natural Life | Lukla | Local peoples (50-200) participations in Yoga, Meditation & Art of Natural Life. | Nepal Yoga & Nature Cure Association Biratnagar, Nepal. | The same programme will be organised again from April 20 - 26. |
April 4 Saturday | Chaitra Dasain | All over the Kingdom | Important National festival celebrated by Hindus and Buddhists. |
| National Festival |
April 4 Saturday | Seto Machendranath Jatra | KTM | Most interesting chariot festival depicted for god of grain |
| Ethnic Festival |
April 5 Sunday | Ram Nawami | All over the Kingdom | Observed as a sacred day on which Lord Rama 'incarnated on this earth to do away with the evils. Devotees keep fasting and worship Lord Rama. |
| National Festival |
April 10 Friday | Dya Kwahan Bijyaylgoo | Bhaktapur | Chariot pulling of god Bhairava and also starting day of Bisket Festival. |
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April 11 Saturday | Baisakh Purnima Balaju Mela | Balaju KTM | Fair in Balaju. People take bath in the natural water which sprouts through twenty two artistically designed traditional taps. |
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April 13, Monday | Yoshing Thanagoo | Bhaktapur | A tall wooden pole decorated with flowers and flag pull up to make it erect to commemorate the Nepalese New Year's Day. |
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April 13 Monday | International Ladies Motorbike Rally Competition | KTM/Sundarijal |
| Sports Dev. Nepal |
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April 13 Monday | Sapan Tirtha Mela | Shivapuri Mountains/ KTM | Pilgrims walk all through the night to take holy bath in the healing waters. Singing, dancing & praying for renewal of life and health. |
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April 14 Tuesday | Nepali New Year's Day | All over the Kingdom | Nepalese New Year's Day. (Bikram Sambat 2055- celebrated with pomp & grandeur). |
| Religious processions in Bhaktapur - organise fair. |
April 14 - 21 | International Himalayan Book Exhibition | Thamel KTM | Antique Books Exhibition | Tiwari Pilgrim Book House |
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April 17 Friday | Dya Swagan Biyegu | Bhaktapur | Religious processions by the colourful ladies of Bhaktapur accompanied by Bhajan troop. |
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April 19 - 25 | International Kayaking Championship | Karnali |
| Sport Dev. Nepal |
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April 23 Thursday | Amako Mukh Herne - Mother's Day | Hindus & Buddhists of the Kingdom, esp. Ktm. | Mother's Day. Mothers receive special sweets from their sons and daughters. |
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April 29 Wednesday | Achyatritiya | Religious sites and holy places | Perform charitable acts like giving away of umbrellas, fans, cots to poor Brahmins. 'Sraddha' observed. Also known as Parshuram Jayanti. |
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May 1 Friday | Painting Exhibition | KTM | Water Colour Painting Show entitled "Future of Medival Past". | Madan Chitrakar |
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May 1 - 7 | Yoga, Meditation & Art of Natural Life | Jomsom | Local peoples (50-200) participation in Yoga, Meditation & Art of Natural Life. | Nepal Yoga & Natural Cure Association, Biratnagar, Nepal. | The same programme will be organised again from May 20 - 26. |
May 1 Friday | Majdur Diwas | All over the Kingdom | Labourers Day. Industries, factories and workshops. |
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May 6 - 7 | Leaf offering ceremony | Gorkha | Worshipping of Lord Shiva. Sight seeing at Kalu Pandey Monument & other cultural activities. | VNY Gorkha Committee. Centre For Gorkha Study And Community Cultural Tour. |
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May 7 Thursday | Mohini Ekadasi Brata | In the premises of Lord Vishnu's temples. | Lord Vishnu once became an attractive women to deceive the demons. Devotees keep fasting and worship Lord Vishnu. |
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May 7 - 11 | Himalayan Expo '98 | Bhrikuti Mandap, KTM |
| House of Rajkarnicar |
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May 11 Monday | Buddha Jayanti | All over the Kingdom | The day Lord Buddha was born in Lumbini - The same day, a full moon day, Buddha attained enlighten-ment in Bodhgaya and also it was on the same day he passed away into Nirvana. Also called the thrice - blessed day. In KTM Valley with the image of Lord Buddha mounted on a decorated elephant. Candles and butter lamps lighted at night. | Dharmodaya Shabha, Lumbini Development Trust & Other Buddhist Religious Association. | Siddharthanagar Municipality Observes Gautam Buddha Jayanti districtly. In KTM, also called 'Swanya Punhi' - a full moon day of flowers. |
May 15 Friday | Jestha Sankaranti | Hindu temples | The first day of the month Jestha, Visit temples. |
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May 15 - 19 | Educational, Training & career (ETC'98) | Bhrikuti Mandap, KTM |
| House of Rajkarnicar |
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May 22 Friday | Apara Ekadashi | Hindu temples | Keep fasting and perform chants of holy scripts. |
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May 25 Monday | Amabasya Bat Sabitri Brata | Hills & Terai alike | Legands have it that Sabitri was a loyal wife. Sabitri is worshipped on this day by Hindu housewives under the 'Fycus(Bat)' tree. They keep fasting at night. |
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May 29 Friday | Everest Day | Lukla | The occation to be observed with different activities | NMA |
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May | Nepal Cup (Crickey Match) | Stadium | Regional Cricket Match between India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan & Nepal | Aries Advertising | Date to be confirmed. |
June 1 Monday | Mountaineering Memorial Park | Kakani | Opening of the Mt. Memorial Park by Angrita Sherpa | NMA/DOT |
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June 4 Thursday | Dashara | Ridi /Palpa | Also called Ganga Dashara. Holy Bath. Final Day of Rameswar worship Fair. |
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June 5 Friday | Nirjala Ekadhasi. Tulsi Bijarpan. | Hindu families | Keep fasting. Some devotees even do not drink water. Tulsi seeds sawn. Lord Vishnu worshipped. |
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June 9 Tuesday | Purnima Brata | Hindu families | Worship moon. Childless parents believe to be blessed with children. |
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June 15 Monday | Ashar Sankranti | Hindus all over the Kingdom | First day of the Month. Hindus visit temples. |
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June 15 Monday | Mountain Museum | Pokhara | The first phase of Mt. Museum to be opened | NMA | Exact date to be confirmed |
June 20 Saturday | Yogini Ekadasi | Hindu families | Fasting & Charity by Hindus. |
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June 23 Tuesday | Amawasya | Hindu families | Holy bath, charity, worship moon, fasting at night by Hindus. |
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June 29 Monday | Ropani Mahotsav (Paddy Festival) | Sankhuwa Sabha, Bana Village | This is in fact a festival observed by the agrarian people all over the Kingdom to mark the first day of Paddy Cultivation. The cultivators play with the mud & perform singing and dancing in the muddy farm. In Bana VDC race, plantation, tilling, Music & song competition will be held to observe VNY'98. | Nepal Hill Area Development Foundation |
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July 5 Sunday | Harisayni Ekadasi Brata | All over the Kingdom | Two Ekadashies in a month. Out of 24 Ekadashies - this is holiest. The first day of Lord Vishnu's slumber in King Bali's Palace. Lord Vishnu would awake after four months. Tulsi saplings are planted and worshipped. |
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July 9 Thursday | Guru Purnima - Preceptors' Day | All over the Kingdom | Celebration of the Birthday of the first poet of Nepalese literature. |
| Pioneer of modern Nepali language. |
July 15 - 30 | Basic Mt. Training | Manang | 15 Fifteen local students take part | NMA |
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July 17 Friday | Shrawan Sankranti & Kandarak Puja | All over the Kingdom | 1st day of the fourth month of Nep. Vikram Era. Marks the beginning of the new Fiscal Year. Climax of the rainy season. People suffering from skin desease believe to get rid of it by throwing fire torches at night. Kandarak (the Night God) is worshipped |
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July 21 Tuesday | Ganta Karan Gathamanga | KTM | Local boys of the city erect a busy shed at every cross-road and ask for contribution from the passers-by. |
| Traditional last day of rice transplanting, celebrate the death of demon call Ghanta - Karna or Bell -ears. |
July 28 Tuesday | Nagpanchami | All over the Kingdom | An important festival to worship serpents and paste picture snake God at the door of every house in Nepal with the belief that this will help prevent the entry of evils into the house. |
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July 28 Tuesday | Snake Painting Competition | Nagdaha & Taudaha, KTM | School painting exhibition of snakes & serpents in view of conservation of reptiles & its habitats. The exhibition will be held in Nagdaha, a legendry adobe of snake god. | IUCN | Programme to be confirmed. |
July 29 Wednesday | Cargo Day | KTM | Cargo day celebaration with different activities | CAAN |
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July - Aug | Gunla | KTM / Swayambhu | Traditional musical procession every early morning around Swayambhu Stupa. | Month long programme. | Ethnic Festival |
August 8 Saturday | Gun Pooni | KTM Valley | Newari community cook a delicious soup made of nine different kinds of beans, called 'Kwati'. |
| Ethnic FestivalAugust |
August 8 Saturday | Gai Jatra | All over the Kingdom, esp. KTM valley. | Almost colourful religious procession of cows and people with peculiar head dress painted as figures of cows goes round the market places. Relatives of the deceased of that year send religious groups join to the procession. |
| The day is also marked as a conventionally free day to point out & criticise the social & political aberations. |
August 8 Saturday | Janai Purnima | All over the Kingdom | Brahmins change their holy thread after taking holy dips in a nearby river. A religious Fair in Gosain Kunda - four days walk from Ktm at the altitude of 16000 ft. |
| Wearing of holy thread round the wrists. Women folk the left, men folk the right wrist. 'Kwanti', a special curry dish eaten on the occasion. |
August 9 - 14, | Sa: paru - Gayeejatra | Bhaktapur | A unique Cultural merry making week at Bhaktapur |
| Local Festival |
August 14 Friday | Shree Krishna Janmastami | All over the Kingdom | Hindus observe it by remaining awake the whole night performing religious dances and singing in the praise of Lord Krishna. |
| Night of round Lord Krishna's incarna-tion. Mythological dances are held. |
17 Aug - 16 Sept | Kaligandaki Thakali Cultural Month | Mustang | Month-long religious and cultural activities of Thakali community celebrating Yak race, Horse race, Archery, Traditional games, Handicraft shows, Lama Dance and other musical events. | Mustang VNY'98 Committee (Hari Tulachan) | Month long Thakali Cultural Programme. |
| August 20 Thursday | Bal Diwas | All over the Kingdom | Seminars, meetings, sports, FaiIt's Father's Day. Sons and r ets. organised in consideration of childrens' welfare. | Nepal Childrens' Organisation (Bal Mandir) and schools. | |
| August 22 Saturday | Babuko Mukh Herne | All over the Kingdom, esp. KTM valley | It's Father's Day. Sons and daughters offer sweetmeat & other gifts to their father. | Local Festival | |
| August 22 Saturday | Gokarne Aunsi | Gokarna, KTM | Special day set apart for the veneration of one's father & offer puja & dip in the holy river in the memory of late father. | ||
| August 25 Tuesday | Haritalika Teej Brata | All over the Kingdom, esp. KTM valley. Lord Pashupatinath's temple. | Greatest festival of Hindu Women. Three days long. 1st day eating of delicious food, 2nd day they keep fasting and and 3rd day worship Gods and Goddesses. | Sumptuous feasts followed by tormenting fasts. | |
| August 27 Thursday | Rishi Panchami Brata | All over the Kingdom, esp. KTM valley. | Final day of the Teej, women visit the temples wearing their red wedding attires and gold ornaments. | Hindu women celebrate this festival for a blissful conjugal life. For an unmarried women, observance of Teej ensures a good, loving and caring husband. | |
| August | Panjran - (Pancha Daan) | Kathmandu/Bhaktapur | Rice, Paddy, beans, wheat, salt, broom, rope, neddle & thread and sugar are offered to Bajracharyas & Shakyas observing the rain retreat. | Buddhist festival of charity, benevolence and magnanimity. Date to be confirmed | |
| September 1 - 7 | Yoga, Meditation & Art of Natural Life | Pokhara | Local peoples (50-200) participation in Yoga, Meditation & Art of Natural Life. | Nepal Yoga & Nature Cure Association, Biratnagar, Nepal. | The same programme will be organised again from September 20 - 26. |
| September 2 Wednesday | Hariparibartini Ekadasi | Hindu devotees. | Begins second month of Lord Vishnu's sleep in Baliraja's palace. Maintain holiness and perform worship and charity. | ||
| September 2 Wednesday | Indra Jatra Festival | Indrachowk, KTM | A week long festival begins by hoisting Lord Indra's flag (Indradhoj) at midnight and faces of Bhairavas deities are displayed in important public places. | Whole week various Bhaku, Lakhe, Mahakali, Bhairab, Pulukisi masked dances are performed in Durbar Square & surrounding streets. | |
| September 5 Saturday | Kumari Jatra - Kone - Ya | Kohity, KTM | Chariot of living goddess Kumari & Bhairabas & Ganesha are pulled in downtown of Kathmandu. The procession is graced by the presence of His Majesty King. | Regional Festival | |
| September 6 Sunday | Kumari Jatra - Thahene - Ya | Ason - Indrachowk, KTM | Similar religious processions is carried out in Kathmandu Midtown. | ||
| September 6 Sunday | Purnima Brata | Hindu devotees. | Worship moon and keep fast. Pray for accomplishment. | Ethnic Festival | |
| September 8 Tuesday | Nani - cha - ya | Bhedashing - Kilagal, KTM | Final rituals of the holy chariot procession. | Local Festival | |
| Sept 11 Friday | International Motorbike Rally Championship | KTM/Daman- Narayanghat/KTM | Sports Development Nepal | ||
| Sept 12 Saturday | Miss Nepal 1998 | KTM | Miss Nepal Beauty Peagant | KTM/Jaycees | |
| Sept 14 --21 | Book Exhibition | Thamel KTM | Antique Books | Tiwari Pilgrim Book House | |
| Sept 16 Wednesday | Indira Ekadasi | Devotees keep fast and perform charity. | |||
| Sept 16 - 22 | Dashain Utsav | Bhrikuti Mandap, KTM | House of Rajkarnicar | ||
| Sept 18 - 27 | International Invitational Football Tournament | KTM | Invitational Intrernational Football Tournament. | Sports Dev. Nepal | |
| Sept 21 - 22 | International Golf Championship | KTM/Gokarna | 18 Holes Gulf | L.M.Suvir Brothers | |
| September 21 Monday | Ghatasthapana | All over the Kingdom. | Begining of the greatest festival 'Dasain', lasts for nine days. Sowing of maize & barley - 'Jamara' | National Festival | |
| Sept - Oct. | Music Festival | National Stadium | Musical extra-vaganza from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh & Nepal. | Music Craft, Bombay & Aries Advertising | Date to be confirmed |
| Sept 25 - Oct 4 | Himalayan International White Water Competition | Trishuli | Various int'l Rafting Association will participate with a slogan of Trishuli '98. The competition includes Slalome Raft, Slalome Kayak, Down River Race, Triathelon & River Rescue. | NARA | Detailed programme to be finalised |
| Sept 25 Friday | Chef Competition and Food Festival | KTM | Best Chef of the Year competition | HAN | |
| Sept 27 Sunday | World Tourism Day | KTM | Welcome of the visitors at the int'l airport by Travel Trade Associations and Food Festival organised by REBAN. | REBAN | |
| Sept 28 - Oct 1 | Gorkha Dasai Festival | Gorkha | Royal Army parade, Fulpati, procession to Gorkha Durbar and other activities of religious & cultural interest. | VNY Gorkha Committee. Centre For Gorkha Study and Community Cultural Tour. | |
| Sept 28 Monday | Phulpati | All over the Kingdom | Real festival becomes visible. Brahmins go to Gorkha Durbar and bring flowers etc. from the shrine there and is then placed in Pooja room of Hanuman Dhoka. HM and other members of the Royal family witness the Army parade and accept the Guard of Honour. | National Festival | |
| Sept 28 Monday | Kite Festival | KTM Valley | To mark this festival every household flie kites from their house-roofs & a kite competition is held at Tundikhel. | ||
| Sept 29 Tuesday | Maha Asthami | All over the Kingdom | Eighth Day of the festival. Animals (goats, buffaloes and ducks and chickens) sacrificed in the temples of Goddess Durga and also at homes. Offering of sacrifices continue on the ninth day too. | National Festival | |
| Sept 30 Wednesday | Mahanawami, Syako-Tyako | All over the Kingdom | It is known for the blood sacrifices made in Hanuman Dhoka, Ktm. | Worth seeing Hanuman Dhoka Animal Sacrifices. | |
| October 1 - 7 | Yoga, Meditation & Art of Natural Life | Lumbini | Local peoples (50-200) participation in Yoga, Meditation & Art of Natural Life. | Nepal Yoga & Nature Cure Association, Biratnagar, Nepal. | The same programme will be organised again from October 20 - 26. |
| October 1, Thursday | Vijaya Dasami Tika | All over the Kingdom. Hindus. | Elders and seniors in each Hindu house mark the foreheads of juniors with 'Tika' or red colour mark. Respectable relatives are visited. Feasts are held. A lot of festivities. | National Festival | |
| October 1, Thursday | Mohani ya Swon Kokayagoo | Bhaktapur, Bramhayani | Worshipping of Navdurga goddess by burning threads on oil lamps all over the human body. Antique feature of devotion and mind concentration. | ||
| October | Pachali Bhairab Festival | Pachli, Kathmandu | Marked with traditional music, religious ceremonies, gifts of all kinds including meat, rice beer and blood of goats and fowl. Continuou throughout the night. | Local Devotees. | Ethnic Festival Date to be confirmed. |
| Oct 2 Friday | Papa-kush Ekadasi | All over the Kingdom. | Holy bath, keep fasting, perform charity for salvation - by Hindus. | ||
| Oct 5 Monday | Kojagrat Purnima | All over the Kingdom. | Goddess of wealth 'Laxmi' is believed to come down to earth. Keep awake. Offer puja. Lamps hoisted on the pole called 'Akashdeep'. Some gamble and try their luck. | ||
| Oct 5 Monday | International Cycling Compition | KTM | Sports Dev. Nepal | ||
| Oct 16 Friday | Rama Ekadasi Brata | For the happiness of the family Goddess Rama (better half of Lord Vishnu) Worshipped. | |||
| Oct 16 - 17 | Kite Flying Compitition | KTM | NATA | ||
| Oct 18 Sunday | Kag (crow) Tihar, Kartik Sankranti | All over the Kingdom. | The second great festival of the Hindus begins called Tihar. -a festival of lights. For five days from this day, the houses and buildings are illuminated with lamps. This first day is marked by worshippuing 'crows'. | National Festival | |
| Octber 18 Sunday | Kartik Mela | Patan | Famous Masked Dance in Patan called Kartikae Dance at Patan Durbar Square. | Month long cultural activities from 18 Oct - 16 - Nov. | |
| Oct - Nov. | Budhanilkantha Mela | Budhanilkantha | A month long religious festival at slumber adobe of Lord Narayana in Budhanilkantha | ||
| October 19 Monday | Kukur (dog) puja, Narak Chaturdasi, | All over the Kingdom | The second day of the Tihar festival. The 'dog' is worshipped in the morning and is given good food to eat. | ||
| Octber 19 Monday | Laxmi Pooja - Festival of Lights | All over the Kingdom. Hindus. | Worship of goddess of Wealth celebrate with great pomp and grandeur. Worth seeing in urban centres like Bhairahawa & Biratnagar. | Siddarthanagar Municipality Celebrates Laxmi Puja attractively and in an unique manner. | |
| Oct 21 Wednesday | Mha Puja | All over the Kingdom & in the Newar community. | Self worshipping festival. | ||
| Oct 21 Wednesday | Nhu - da (Nepal Sambat - 1119) | Throughout the country in Newar Community | Celebration of Nepal Sambat Year 1127 by organising various elaborated social and cultural processions. This is the begining of Lunar Calendar. | ||
| Oct 21 Wedbnesday | Gai (cow) Puja, Gobardhan Puja | All over the Kingdom. Hindus. | This year the day of the Worshipping of cows and bulls fall on the same day. Hindus worship cows and regard this animal as mother. | National Festival | |
| Oct 22 Thursday | Bhai Tika | All over the Kingdom. Hindus. | Last day of 'Tihar'. sisters mark their brpthers' foreheads with Tika (or marks of various coloursand offer them garlands and sweet and pray for their long life and prosperity. | National Festival | |
| Oct 24 Friday | United Nation Day | KTM | Seminars / Sports Events | UNDP / NGOs | |
| Oct 31 Saturday | Haribhodhini Ekadasi | Fair at Ridi / Palpa and Devghat (Chitwan) | Four months of Lord Vishnu's slumber completed. Devotees observe the weedding of Holy plant Tulsi with Lord Vishnu. Keep fasting maintain holiness and perform charity. | Local Festival | |
| October | Mahalaxmi Village Puja | In & around KTM | Agrarian festival. Rejoicing on the storage of autumn harvest. | ||
| November 1 - 7 | Yoga, Meditation & Art of Natural Life | Chitwan | Local peoples (50-200) participation in Yoga, Meditation & Art of Natural Life. | Nepal Yoga & Nature Cure Association, Biratnagar,Nepal. | The same programme will be organised again from November 20 - 26. |
| November 3 Sunday | Shaki Mela Puni | KTM valley | Worshiping of goddess Moon by Newar community for family happiness & prosperity. | ||
| November 6 Friday | Street Festival | Pokhara | To create an environment of entertainment for people to make them participate Visit Nepal'98. | ||
| Nov 7 - 8 | Manakamana Festival | Gorkha | Pilgrimage to Manakamana, one of the most sacred deities of Hindus. | VNY Gorkha Committee. Centre For Gorkha Study And Community Cultural Tour. | |
| November 8 Sunday | Queen's Birthday | ||||
| November 9Monday | Constitution day | ||||
| November 15 Sunday | Ram Janaki Festival | Janakpur | To week to be observed with different activities | DOT & Local concerned bodies | |
| 3rd week | Weeding with Vaidic Rituals | KTM | NATA | Date to be confirmed | |
| November 17 Tuesday | Nasa Boylgoo | Bhaktapur | Food Grain Festival. The food grains are artistically arranged in front of every temple. Bhajan is also recited. This festival is observed in night time. | ||
| November 17 Tuesday | Magh Sankranti | Throughout the Kingdom | One of the holiest days in Nepali religious calender of the Hindus. People take holy bath in the wee hours of the morning, mostly at the river confluences. In KTM, Sankhamool is such holy bathing spot. People eat specially sweetened seasame balls, yam tuber | Local Festival | |
| followed by khichari, a cooked mixture of rice, lentils and spice on that day. Fairs organised. Famous one is Maai-Beni Mela in Ilaam. | |||||
| Nov 20 - 25 | Book Exhibition | Thamel KTM | Books having universal appeal | Tiwaris Pilgrims Book House | |
| November 29 Sunday | Lumbini Food Festival | Lumbini | Lumbini week to be observed with different activities | REBAN | |
| November | Gujeswari Jatra | KTM/Gujeswari Temple | Deities in this temple are made of solid gold and silver & highly regarded as secret goddess. Fair organised on the day of Jatra. | Only for Hindu Devotees. | |
| November | Sita Bibaha Panchami | Janakpur / Mithila | Celebration of Sita's Marriage with Lord Rama. Cultural, agrarian & commercial exhibitions & also a fair which lasts for a week. A time for resounding business. | Regional Festival | |
| November | Chhath | Mithila / Terai Region of Nepal | Biggest festival of womenfolk in Terai. Holy bath & fasting. Worship Sun God for the long life of their husbands & for the peace & prosperity of their families. | ||
| December 1 Tuesday | Lumbini Festival | Lumbini | Lumbini festival to be observed for peace, brotherhood and non-violence. | HAN | |
| Dec 3 - 9 | International Elephant Polo Championship | Tiger Mountain, Chitwan | A unique and first of its kind of International Elephant Polo in Chitwan National Park. This match will be participated by well known personalities | Tiger Mountain | |
| December 3 Thursday | Yamari Puja | All over the Kingdom esp. Kathmandu. | Harvesting of new rice is complete. Cook rice and eat. Worship 'Annadev' (God of Crops). Mainly the Hindu farmers observe it. | Ethnic Festival | |
| Dec 7 - 15 | International Balloning Festival | KTM/Pokhara | Hot Air Balloons from different parts of the world will be competiting in this event. | Sunrise Balloning Company | |
| December 14 Monday | Safala Ekadasi | Fasting and offerings of pooja for accomplishment. | Hindus | ||
| December 16 Wednesday | Poush Sankranti | First day of the month Pousha. Visit temples and worship. | |||
| December 18 Friday | Amawasya | Amawashya nights are the nights devotees go without eating. | |||
| December 29 Tuesday | HM King's Birthday | Observed as a National Day. Cultural, social and developmental programmes held. | GOs and NGOs, throughout the Kingdom. | ||
| December | Bhimsen Puja | All over the Kingdom esp. Newar inhibited areas. | Puja offered to Lord Bhimsen for the prosperity of business. | ||
| South East Asia Classic Car Ralley | NICA | Date to be confirmed | |||
| Wild Life Tourism | Annapurna Area | ACAP | |||
| International Triathelone competition | Pokhara Baidam | Nepal Triathelon Association | Date to be confirmed | ||
| Durbar Marga Street Festival | Durbar Marg | Durbar Marga Street festival | Durbar Marga Club and REBAN | Date to be confirmed | |
| Festival Pokhara | Pokhara | REBAN | HAN Pokhara Chapter | ||
| Cultural programme | Annapurna Area | ACAP | Date to be confirmed | ||
| All the Year Round | Clean up Campaigns | Khumbu Reigion | Cleaning of all the Base Camps and Trekking Routes of Khumbu Reigion | Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee | |
| Nagarkot Week | Nagarkot, KTM | Week long cultural activities exhibiting crafts shows organising musical & traditional games. | Date to be confirmed | ||
| Jewelry exhibition | KTM | Nepal Handicrafts Asso. | Date to be confirmed | ||
| Thanka Exhibition | KTM | World famous indeginous, traditional scroll painting made out of vegetable dyes and gold powder. | Date to be confirmed | ||
| Deliberation & Dscourses of Lectures & Research Activities on Ayurveda | Tridevi Marga, KTM | Ayurveda Medicinal Plants. Demonstration of Yoga | Ayurveda Health Home & Research Centre | Throughout the year | |
| Ayurveda & Yoga Clinical & Health Promotive Services | Tridevi Marga, KTM | Ayurveda consultation & Therapy Services. Yoga Training & Therapy Services | Ayurveda Health Home & Research Centre | Throughout the year | |
| Marriage Festival | Throughout the country | Elaborated marriage ceremonies alongwith colourful processions and traditional musical bands are performed in special sacred months of Jan, Feb, Mar, April and May. | Date to be confirmed | ||
| Contemporary Art Painting | KTM / Pokhara | By Artists Asso. of Nepal | Date to be confirmed | ||
| Carpet Exhibition | KTM / POkhara | Date to be confirmed | |||
| Release of VNY'98 Commemorative coins & medals. | Date to be confirmed | ||||
| Release of special Postal Stamps | Date to be confirmed | ||||
| Moni-Rimdo Festival | Phaplu, Lukla, Namche & Tengboche | Elaborated festival of Lama - Buddhism performed with masked dance & other colourful activities twice a year. | Date to be confirmed | ||
| Restaurant's Waiters Race | Durbar Marga, KTM | Waiters of the various restaurants will compete tea-pots, water - glass on the tray. | REBAN | Date to be confirmed | |
| Rato Machendranath Jatra & Bhote Jatra | Patan | Amonth long Buddhist festival celebrated by pulling two chariots of Bunga Deo & Chakupa Deo. at the last day of the festival the rligious celebration will be completed by showing Bhote - a bejewal vest of the King of Serpent | Date to be confirmed | ||
| Dakshinkali Sacrificing Rites | Dakshinkali Temple / KTM | On every Tuesday & Saturdays devotees make sacrifices of goats & chickens. | Throughout the year. | ||
| Annapurna Marathon | Annapurna Area | ACAP | Date to be confirmed | ||
| Eco Training | " | " | " | ||
| Carpets & Handicrafts Exhibition | KTM | CAAN | " | ||
| Kumbheswore Mela | Fair in Patan | Fair takes place near Bagalamukhi temple in Patan. Crowds of devotees seen in line to worship Lord Shiva, known by the name of Kumbheswore. | Date to be confirmed | ||
| Gokarna Mela | Gokarna / KTM | Fair in Gokarna / KTM. Worship of Lord Gokarna by Hindus. | Date to be confirmed | ||
| International Cycling Championship | KTM | Sport Dev. Nepal | Date to be confirmed | ||
| Annapurna Base Camp Cleaning | Annapurna Area | ACAP | Date to be confirmed | ||
| Exploring Village life | Annapurna Area | ACAP | Date to be confirmed | ||
| Nepali Food Promotion | KTM | Promotion of food preparation & display of all the dialects & communities of Nepal. | Chefs Association of Nepal | Date to be confirmed | |
| VNY'98 Special Issuer Poetry Magazine NAVA KAVITA Quarterly | KTM | Poems on Nepal in English by eminent poets | Nava Kavita Quarterly Publication, Kathmandu | Date to be confirmed | |
| PATA/NICA-MICE Motivation Conference | KTM | NICA | Date to be confirmed | ||
| Trasitional & Contemporary Fashion shows | KTM | Display of ethnic cultures & tradtional materials of Nepal | Images | Date to be confirmed | |
| Blood drinking ceremony (Twice a year, in spring and then in monsoon) | Mustang | Entails drinking of yak's blood. The blood vein of yak is punctured by a sharp needle like appliance to draw out bllod. From one yak 30-40 glasses of blood is extracted. The vein pore is filled with yak's dung. People believe it provides energy and cures them of gastric ailment. | Date to be confirmed | ||
| World Congress ( Complementary Medicines) | KTM | Participate 1000 | The open International University for Complementary Medicine. Voted to Host. | Date to be confirmed | |
| Inst. of Light & Sound | Bhaktapur Durbar Square | Depicting the orgin of holy river Bagmati & historical background of Bhaktapur City | Date to be confirmed | ||
| Thomas Cook Day | Patan | Free guide service | TURGAN | Date to be confirmed | |
| Federation of Asia & Pacific Cargo Meeting | KTM | Cargo Agents Association | Date to be confirmed | ||
| South Asia Travel Tourism Exhibition SATTE | KTM | NICA | Date to be confirmed | ||
| Food Festival | KTM | Various restaurants exhibit traditional Nepalese & other culinary arts. | REBAN | Date to be confirmed | |
| Mountaineers Memorial Day | KTM | Pasang Lhamu memorial activities to be observed | Date to be confirmed | ||
| Community plantation | Annapurna Area | ACAP | Date to be confirmed | ||
| Bhimsen - Jatra | Patan, KTM, Bhaktapur, Dolakha & Makawanpur | A religious procession goes round the main-routes of the locality. Feast follows. | Date to be confirmed | ||
| The Great Himalayan One Hundred KM Run. | Pokhara | Off-road International Marathon in mountains | 100 Km. Run organising committee. | Date to be confirmed | |
| Pokhara - Baglung Ultra - Distance Race Competition | Pokhara | International Ultra-Distance Run Competition | Organising committee | Date to be confirmed | |
| Jitiya Pawani | Chitwan & Other Tharu inhibited areas of Terai | This festival of Tharu women is similar to Hindu women's Teej. The women keep fasting & pray for peace & prosperity. | Tharu Women | Date to be confirmed | |
| Balachaturdashi | All over the Kingdom. | Devotees say 100 various kinds of seeds on the hillook near Pashupati-nath's temple. Keep awake the whole night and pray for the comfort and peace of eternal souls. People eat curd and beaten rice. | All Hindus. | Date to be confirmed | |
| Bibahapanchami | Fair in Janakpur | Observed as a festival in Janakpur. It is a wedding day of Lord Rama with Goddess Sita. | Date to be confirmed |
Tel: 246024, 228847, Fax: (00-977-1)227758, Internet: motca@mos.com.np, email: motca@mos.com.np, Singha Durbar, Kathmandu, Nepal.
Copyright 1997 Visit Nepal'98 Secretariat
Webmaster: Anita Shrestha, AMAA, INC