The Endless Cycle of Newar Festivals in the Kathmandu Valley

Dr.Vidhu Prakash Kayastha

In addition to the Rato Machhindranath (Bungadya) Jatra, Indrajatra (Yenya), Seto Machhindranath (Janabahadya) Jatra, and Biska Jatra, which are celebrated with grandeur and divinity every year in the Kathmandu Valley, many other festivals celebrated by the indigenous Newar community of the valley have kept the thousand-year-old civilization alive. These celebrations bind families and neighbors in shared rituals of devotion, joy and resilience. Each festival, tied to specific lunar days during the Shukla Paksha and Krishna Paksha, reflects the faith, heritage and divine feelings of the Newars. Among the many festivals of various levels, some of the important festivals are mentioned here.

In April, on Vaishakh Purnima, Newars of both Buddhist and Hindu faiths honor the birth, enlightenment, and death of Lord Buddha by offering flowers, incense, and lamps at Swayambhunath, the white domes of Boudhanath, and thousands of other temples, monasteries, and monasteries across the country, including the valley. Newars call Vaishakh Purnima Swayapunhi. On Swayapunhi, a procession is taken out with Buddha statues to various city markets and villages across the country.

Throughout the month of July, the Newar Buddhists of the valley immerse themselves in the sacred Gunla Dharma, a period of devotion. They perform daily morning processions to Swayambhunath, Boudhanath and ancient monasteries. On the bright full moon day, processions display Buddhist relics and scriptures accompanied by traditional hymn music. Devotees offer alms to the monks. Their offerings are a testament to compassion. The valley, which is immersed in the peaceful rituals of Gunla Dharma, a blend of Hindu-Buddhist harmony, is illuminated by spiritual renewal.

The Gai Jatra, which begins on the first day of the Shukla Paksha of Bhadra in August, is a festival that transforms grief into strength in memory of deceased relatives. Families who have lost loved ones in the past year parade around the city’s historic squares with decorated cows – or children dressed as cows. The streets are filled with traditional music mixed with satirical performances. In such an atmosphere, grieving families revel in the absurdities of life. In Bhaktapur, masked dancers parade to the rhythm of the Ghintang Ghisi, while in Patan, colorful processions circumambulate ancient temples. The festival honors the dead, guiding their souls to the afterlife. The vibrancy of the celebration to forget the sorrow enhances the sense of community bondage. As families walk the Parikrama together, a poignant reminder that life and death are intertwined in the Newar worldview, the shared resilience soothes the grief.

The Newar community in the Kathmandu Valley celebrates Ganesh Chaturthi as Chatha (or Chatha Nakha) on the fourth day of the Shukla Paksha of Bhadra. The festival is directly linked to the worship of Lord Ganesha, the moon, and the real fear of being accused of theft. Devotees gather at ornate shrines. The dogs, which often bark, remain quiet that evening. Offerings of puja paraphernalia are kept on the roof of the house, and the members of the household do not offer offerings to Ganesha until the dogs in their area stop barking.

During the first ten days of the Shukla Paksha of Ashwin (Sep/Oct), Dashain, which Newars call Mohani (Shakti), they worship the Goddess Durga at their homes and temples. Flowers, incense and animal sacrifices are offered during daily pujas to celebrate the victory over evil. On the tenth day (Dashami), elders anoint younger relatives with tika. They also add black tika (mohani), which is a pungent smoke collected in an oil lamp in an earthenware vessel for nine days, which they apply to the foreheads of their relatives. Meat, wine and other beverages are consumed in large quantities during Dashain. The vibrant rituals of the festival, from parikrama to bhajan music, weave devotion and unity. The Mohani of the Newars strengthens resilience and faith in the face of life's challenges.

In late October, the Newars observe Swanti or Tihar for five days during the Krishna Paksha of Kartik. Each day of the Panchak brings unique rituals: Kaag Tihar honors crows as messengers, dogs as protectors in Kukur Tihar, and on the third day, Goddess Lakshmi is honored, with oil lamps and mandalas illuminating homes. On the fourth day, the Mha Puja, unique to Newars, celebrates self-spirituality. This is the day that begins the Nepal Samvat New Year. Bhaitika strengthens the bond between brothers and sisters through Tika. Swati’s rituals, based on Hindu-Buddhist harmony, spread gratitude.

On Bala Chaturdashi, the fourteenth day of the Krishna Paksha of Kartik in November, residents of the valley pay homage to their departed ancestors by scattering seven types of grains and satabij in the Pashupatinath area. Lamps are lit on the banks of the Bagmati River. This pilgrimage, a part of the shared Hindu-Buddhist tradition, promotes spiritual contemplation and family duty. Families remember their departed loved ones.

The full moon of Margashirsha lights up the November sky, and the entire Newar community resonates with the excitement of Yomari Punhi. After the rice harvest, families come together to make Yomari. Children rejoice as they offer the deities delicious Yomari, a dish made with rice flour and sesame seeds, while adults offer the deities these delicacies, wishing for prosperity. The tradition of exchanging plates of Yomari among neighbors under the warm glow of oil lamps is a symbol of prosperity. In the winding lanes of the Newar settlements, this festival unites the community. Every bite of Yomari celebrates the gift of the land and deep-rooted gratitude. Linked to the Nepal Samvat lunar calendar, this festival celebrates the joy of the seasons with a vibrant celebration of heritage and unity, singing and dancing to the rhythm of the seasons.

Maghe Sankranti is celebrated by the Newar community as Ghyo Chaku Sanhlu. The festival falls on the first day of the month of Magh (usually mid-January) and marks the transition to warmer days and the beginning of the holy month of Uttarayan. The festival is deeply focused on family ties. The name of the festival is directly derived from its culinary ingredients. Ghyo (ghee) and Chaku (refined jaggery). Families gather to enjoy a special platter filled with winter nutrients. Ghyo and Chaku are served to generate body heat against the January chill. Special dishes are prepared on this day, which include sesame laddu sweets, sugarcane and yams, as well as especially green spinach and black dal bara or. On this day, the mother or grandmother massages the heads of all family members, from the youngest to the eldest, with hot mustard oil. This ritual is believed to grant good health and longevity for the coming year.

Holi is traditionally called Phagu Punhi. The traditional Newar festival of color-sprinkling lasts for a week. The raising of the Chir Stambha, the official announcement of the festival, takes place at Basantapur (Kathmandu Durbar Square) eight days before the full moon. This is done with the singing of traditional, joyful Newari hymns celebrating fertility, love and life. After hours of applying abir (red vermilion powder) and distributing colors, families gather for a grand festive feast. The week-long festival ends with the burning of Chir on the night of Falgun Purnima. The huge Chir Stambha is lowered down and dragged to a nearby river bank and set on fire, concluding the Holi festival.

As March turns into April, the Pahan Chahre festival is celebrated in Kathmandu on the fourteenth day of the dark fortnight of Chaitra. The state-level Ghoda Jatra is also celebrated on this day. The Nepali Army parades through Tundikhel in a colorful display of horsemen. The Ghoda Jatra is believed to drive away evil spirits. Families in Patan visit local shrines. Rice, flowers, and vermilion are offered to appease evil spirits. Courtyards are filled with traditional Newar dishes. Neighbors and friends are invited to communal feasts. This festival, filled with legends of the slaying of demons, ensures the safety of the city. The rituals of Pahan Chahre are a vibrant blend of spiritual devotion and festive joy. By offering offerings, the residents of the valley are assured of their safety from unseen dangers.