Kathmandu celebrated Buddha Jayanti at a freshly cleaned and painted Swayambhunath. Honoring the 2561st anniversary of the birthday of Lord Buddha, the day included special events for worship and prayer, social programs, and other festivities, including a beautiful night illumination. See more at https://goo.gl/pCNyh4
Category: Festivals
Kathmandu Celebrates Tihar!
Devotees celebrated Laxmi and cow puja yesterday, with many women creating beautiful rangoli designs, cleaning, and setting up multi-colored lights to invite the goddess of wealth into their homes. Today, Newars observe Mha puja, or worship of self. This will be followed by Bhai Tika, or offerings to brothers by sisters tomorrow. We wish everyone… Continue reading Kathmandu Celebrates Tihar!
A Happy Kukur Tihar to All our Four-Footed Friends!
Yampanchak Begins Today with Kaag Tihar
With Dashain behind us, Nepalis begin round two with the second most popular festival in the Himalayan nation – Tihar. People provide tender morsels for crows, hoping to avert grief and death in their homes. The black birds can be seen on virtually every rooftop, enjoying their meals and cawing with pleasure!
Bada Dashain Begins in Nepal – Happy Ghatasthapana!
People are celebrating Ghatasthapana with the planting of barley, rice, wheat, and corn seeds in a clay pot as part of a puja, or offering, in their homes. Sprouted seedlings are called jamara and will be offered as part of tika on Vijaya Dashami, or the main festival day, which occurs in ten days time. The… Continue reading Bada Dashain Begins in Nepal – Happy Ghatasthapana!
Happy Teej!
Red sari-clad women are thronging Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu today to celebrate Teej through prayer, offerings, music, and dance. Teej is the beautiful festival in which women pray and make offerings to Lord Shiva for the their husband’s longevity, prosperity, and happiness. For unmarried women, it is hoped that this worship will lead to a… Continue reading Happy Teej!
Happy Buddha Jayanti!
Today we celebrate Buddha Jayanti. Celebrations were inaugurated in Lumbini, Nepal, birthplace of Lord Buddha, and the occasion was marked by the attendance of over 350 monks from 28 countries. Butter lamps were lit to commemorate the day. Followers of the Mahayana, Theravada, and Vajrayana sects also recited sermons of Lord Buddha.
International Dance Day 2016
April 29 is International Dance Day, the global celebration of poetic movement, rhythmic motion, and expressive artistry. No matter what the style, dance – like music – is a language of imagination, universally understood and appreciated. So put on your best shoes (or take them off!) and let the music and your inner fantasy take… Continue reading International Dance Day 2016