Palpa is the home land of different tribes , ethnic groups and followers of different religions .Therefore , not a month passes without some festivals either of local or national character. Most of the festivals are associated with hindu mythology . some of the festivals are celebrated by Hindus and Buddhist commonly . They celebrates their festivals on the basis of Nepali B.S. calendar .
Baisakh Sankranti ( New Year 's Day )
The new year of Nepal begins from 1 st Baisakh which falls in April . people wear new, clothes , eat rich foods and exchange food wishes on this day .
Some of the Newar families whose ancestors came here from Bhaktapur , in Kathmandu Valley , celebrates the day as Bisket Festival with feast and ceremonies . The Bisket festival is associated with a myth . According to the myth a great tantrik , a possessor of miraculous powers , named Shekhar Achaju had helped the Lichivi king, Shiva dev , who ruled over Bhaktapur ,to fight against Kirati invaders . The Tantrik once transformed himself into a python and by his wife's mistake he could not transform himself into human shape . His wife too was changed into a female python and both of them died . Since that time in honor of the powerful Tantrik the Bisket or python festival is celebrated by the people of Bhaktapur marking the beginning of the new year .
Baisakh Purnima (Buddha Jayanti )
Baisakh Purnima or the full moon day of Baisakh is celebrated in Nepal in two different manners . The Buddhist celebrate it as the birth Day of ceremony of Lord Buddha , while the magars and some other tribes celebrates it as Chandi Purnima , offering animal sacrifices to goddess Chandi .
It is astonishing to see that on the birth of Lord Buddha , the messenger of peace and non - violence , thousand of animals and birds are slaughtered at the alter of goddess Chandi . It is one of the peculier aspects of the cultural diversity of the country .
Buddha Jayanti or the Birth Day of Lord Buddha is celebrated in Tansen with pomp and show . Devotees worship Buddha ceremoniously . Religious preaching and meetings are held . Some devotees visit Lumbini , THE BIRTH PLACE OF LORD BUDDHA and return in the same day .In the afternoon a chariot with the statue of Buddha is taken out in grand procession round the town . Students of local school , members of clubs devotees take part in the procession .They sing religious songs . Some bereaved families organize special religious songs in the memory of their dear ones who had passed away in the last year . At the intervals of two or three years the remains of Lord Buddha , called ASthi Dhatu , which is regarded very sacred and precious , is exhibited at Ananda Bihar , The oldest Buddhist shrine of Tansen . This is a very valuable and unique as well as auspicious opportunity to have a look of the Astih Dhatu . There are very few Buddhist monasteries in the world which are so fortunate to possess the remains of Lord Buddha .
In other hands some other tribes groups celebrates the day worshiping the goddess Chandi, Offering animals sacrifice to the goddess . They enjoy the festival eating , drinking ,singing and dancing as well .
Baisakh purnima generally falls in the month of may .
Ghanta Karna ( Demon's Procession )
To get rid of evil powers and the legendary demons people have been worshiping and offering sacrifices to demons , serpents and other supernatural and natural elements like wind , water and fire since ancient times.Ghanta Karna was a legendary demon who spread havoc among the people . This festival is held to commemorate the death of that demon .
On this day children erect effigies of the demon - Ghanta Karna- at cross roads. The effigy is called Gathe Mangal and it is made of bamboo ,branches of plants and dry maze plant . When somebody passes by the side of the effigy the children collect tax ,called Jagaat ,from him , in the name of Ghanta Karna . if anybody hesitates to give the tax the children begin to shout calling him the grandson of the demon - "See the grandson of gathe mangal coming " People offer the effigy food and meat . Girls offer their dolls . People wear iron rings and stick iron pegs at their thresholds to get rid of evil powers .
In the evening the Gathe mangal is taken round the town in procession and brunt and thrown away . This day marks the beginning of the one month long Lakhe Naach . i.e. dance of another demon called LAkhe . At some places Lakhe kills and throws the effigy of Gathe Mangal ceremoniously .
This festival is celebrated generally in the month of June.
Nag Panchami
The divine serpents are called Nag. In the hindu mythology there are many Nags with different kinds of supernatural powers . They are worshiped on this day . Their pictures are struck over the main gates and the animal sheds for the protection of human beings and animals from evil spirits and snakes.
People enjoy "lakhe" dance with the mask of demon , on this day . The day generally falls in the month of June or July .
Janai Purnima
The full moon day in the month of Shrawan is called Janai Purnima . Janai is the sacred thread worn by Brahmans and Chetries . They take ritual bath and change their sacred threads . People get a string of colored and sanctified thread tied in their wrists by the Brahmans as a protective mark from ill fate ."Kwati " is a special curry eaten on this day by all the Nepalese . It is prepared from different kinds of sprouted beans and lentils.
From this day three day long merry making festival of Gai Jatra begins . The festival occurs generally in the month of july or August .
Gai Jatra
Literally "Gai Jatra " means the cow Procession. Its is a unique Nepalese festival . It originated in Nepal during the reign of Pratap malla of Kathmandu valley at the end of fourteen century A.D.
The story of the origin of the festival goes like this " During the reign King Pratap Malla a plague of small pox swept Nepal claiming the life of many thousand of people including many members of the royal cabinet . The son of the king and queen out of her state of deep sorrow having failed the king called upon the subjects many of whom had also lost a family member to parade through the streets and various temples for th release of the souls of the dead , and this being done to culminate the processions by performing colorful antis before the king's palace - Hanuman Dhoka .The king promised a prize to any family that could succeed to make the queen smile . Almost all the subjects in Kathmandu Valley participated many just in fun whether not a family member had perished or not . This was the beginning of what has become a symbol of Nepal , its culture , its society and the life and fun of its people "
As the Newars , The main inhabitants of Kathmandu , Spread or migrated from the Kathmandu Valley they carried their cultural heritage with them including the gai jatra festival .
This festival lasts for five days in Tansen and other suburbs of Palpa where Newar community inhabits . During this festival people wear new and fancy dresses ornaments and dance ,sing and entertain by exchanging humourous amusements .
The festival begins on the full moon day by august . The first day is called Janai Purnima or Rakhxa Bandhan . On this Day Brahmans tie secred thread around the wrists of other people and in return they get rice and money from them .
On the second day the bereaved families decorate a living cow ,some boys are decorated as saints and some wear the masks of a cow and thus a procession with music go round the town . Some people make an artistic and symbolic doll of cow called Tayamacha and some people make very odd looking big cows's action and entertain the people . Some people make up like jokers or clowns wearing funny dresses and move round the town mocking , satiring and punching on contemporary matters . Some well to do families who had been bereaved by thier members exhibit cultural and ceremoneous procession of singing mouring songs. This show is called Ramayan Or Nirgun .
On this occasion most of the newspapers publish special issue on Gai Jatra . It has become a traditional to criticize the government and say or write such things which could not be said on other days . But there is a limitation to it .
The third day of the Gai Jatra is celebrated as " ropai jatra " or festival of paddy planting . Human oxen imitate to plough the land in the streets and men dressed like women sow or plant the paddy plant with dancing and singing .
Next two days are the festivals of Ganesh Jatra and Bagh Jatra . The Bagh Jatra or Tiger procession is a very exciting game. It is held as precaution so that tigers or leopards do not enter ointo the town and villages and kill the people, goats and cattles .
In short Gai jatra is an occasion to laugh heartly and be merry . Eating and drinking also go on in same proportion. The special dish of the occasion is Kwati . It is a mixture of different kinds of pulses and lentils .
with sprouts ready for germination , cooked with iol or butter , spices and meat soup . This delecious dish is taken only once in a year .
Religious people believe that " on this day the 'gates of hell ' are opened providing opportunity for any unlucky resident to get released - provided necessary preparations are done on earth ."
Krishnasthami
Krishna is a hero of the great Hindu Epic 'Mahavarat'. He is regarded as the incarnation of Lord Vishnu , The protector of the world , according to the Hindu mythology . Krishnastami is the festival celebrated to commemorate the birth of Krishna . On this day people visit the temples of krishna .
In Tansen this day is remarkable for the beginning of the festival of Bhagawati . At night the people visit the temple of Bhagawati and sacrifice animals and birds . Devotees pass the whole night singing religious songs called "Bhajans "
On the night of krishnastami the mask dance of the demon , Lakhe comes to an end . The demon is killed by Lord krishna .
At Ridi Bazar the tradition of killing Lakhe by Krishna with the help of his elder brother Balaram is dramatized in traditional Lakhe dance.
Bhagawati Jatra
Bhagawati jatra is the festival of goddess Bhagawati of Tansen . It is celebrated on the next day of Krishnastami in mid august . A chariot of the Goddess is taken round the town and people worship the idol of the Goddess by sacrificing animals and birds .
This festival is associated with the victory over British Indian toop by the Nepalese troop of Amar Narayan in the battle front of Butwal .The biggest fair of the year takes place in the town on this day .
On the night before the festival people go to the temple of Goddess Bhagawati to offer animal sacrifice . Religious songs, dance and music band goes on for the whole night . Next day a golden chariot with the idol of Goddess is taken round the town followed by military and police troops, government officers , traditional music bands like "Pancha baja" and large mass of devotees . When the chariot arrives at someone's door one worships the Goddess and some people offer animal sacrifice .
People from far and near come to see the fair. The aboriginal people who come to attend the fair and festival are nicely decorated with traditional golden and silver ornaments .
Bhagawati Jatra is the biggest festival of palpa . People from neighbouring districts also come to see the festival . The cultural societies entertain th people with some songs and dances .
Festival of Amar Narayan of Tansen is also held usually on the same day .Both the chariots of Bhagawati and Amar Narayan are taken round the town in a joint procession .but according to the lunar calendar sometimes Amar Narayan festival is held a day after or before the Bagawati festival .
Please note it that due to the hilly surface of the locality the chariots of such places like Tansen have no wheels and are not pulled by animals . They are carried on human shoulder. Their are special group of people who carry chariot .They are called Kumals and their main occupation in pottery .
Teej
Teej is the festival of women . It is just like Women's freedom Day . All the women get new dress from their families.They are invited to their parental houses . On this day women gather together in some shrines or public places .From early morning they sing and dance till evening . Their songs contain various subjects including religious songs and the songs of sorrow and grief . They also sing about the main incidents and accidents of the villages which occurred that year . They express their grievances and they condemn the torture from their in- laws , in songs
Teej is associated with the birth of Lord Krishna . It is celebrated on the eleventh day of the birth of Krishna . One day day before the festival women prepare delicious foods specially from milk product like rice-pudding . They enjoy the feast till late night . On the day of Teej all women fast for the whole day . Married women worshiping for the long age of her husband and unmarried women worshiping to get husband as Krishna .
Next day of Teej is called Rishi Panchami . Women take holy bath and perform a ritual worship at temples and holy places .
Dashain
Dashain is the most important festival of Nepal . It is also known as Bada Dashain and Vijaya Dasami . Dashain is the only festival when it lasts 10 days before Dashain . Dashain is not only a religious festival it is also a national and social festival . This festival is dedicated to the worship of the goddess Durga who helped the other gods in the battle with Demons .The tenth day of the Dashain which is also called Vijaya Dashami and tika marks the victory of Goddess over evils . On this day people receive "TIKA" From elders as a form of blessing. Greetings are exchanged and feasts are served . This follows for the rest of the five days , till the moon full day .
This festival which falls During the Autumn in September - October , is also associated with the epic battle between Rama, The hero and Rawan the king of Laka . This episode is associated with Chaite Dashain festival also. It is Said that Chaite Dashain was the main Dashain in old days . But Chaite Dashain falls during March and April , Which are hard times for the common people . Therefore it was decided to celebrate the Dhashain in Autumn which is prosperous time of farmers .
The first day Of Dashain is Called ""Ghatasthapana " . On this day people brings sacred soil fromriver bed and sow barely in that soil . The barley plans which is grown in small leaf cups and plates are used for worshiping in Tika .Educational institutes are closed from the day . Prayer and worship is followed for remaining for nine days .
The seventh day of Dashain is called "Phul Pati "which literally means flower sand leaves. On this day people ceremoniously welcome the bunches of different plants like banana, sugarcana , ginger and other seasonal flowers .
Eighth and ninth days of Dashain are religiously more important . People visit all the temples and their respect to all the deities .
They sacrifice gats , buffaloes, ducks and fowls in the temples of Durga , Bhagawati and chandi . In fact all these are the different names of the same Goddess. People also worship their tools, professional equipments and machines . Even the vehicles are worshiped and animals are sacrifices and blood scattered over and around those modern powerful equipments and machines .All these indicates that Dashain is originally a festival of worshiping " Shakti " or power .
Dashain is also a national festival . All the offices are closed from seventh day to the fifteenth day of Dashain . All the employees get one month bonus on the occasion of Dashain .
This festival gives opportunity to meet relatives and friends once a year . People who lives far from their houses they return their house ( home) during this festival .
Deepawali
Deepawali or Tihar is also known the festival of light . It is celebrated for 5 days in Nepal . For three days all the houses of Hindus are decorated with oil lamps , candles . But nowadays people use to decorate their house with Electric colorful light bulbs.This festival is also a second big festival for Nepalese . During Tihar or Deepawali all the offices and shops closed for three days .This festival occur in the month of October generally .
During Five Day long festival people worship the crow on the first day .They believe crow is the messenger of Yama , the god of Death .
In the second day of Deepawali the worship dog . A dog is a sign of legendary significance as believed . Family dogs are bathed ,adorned with Flowers and |Tika and giving foods to eat . Even street dogs are worshiped and loved on this day .
The third day of deepawali is devoted to the worship of goddess Laxmi , the goddess of wealth and wife of God Vishnu . on this day all the houses are cleaned ,washed decorated with flowers . In the morning People worship cows as the representative of Goddess Laxmi . Rich food given to cows and her body is decorated with the marks of yellow powder .At night all the houses are decorated with lights and oil lamps. And also children startes play "Vailo " from this day to till Tihar or Vai Tika singing song "vailo".
Forth day is the day of Deepawali is celebrated by Newar People as Mha puja as New year's Day . All the members of the family are worshiped at night and enjoy heavy feast .
The most important day and the last /fifth day of Deepawali is Vai Tika . this is the day when sisters worships their brothers .Sisters offer delicious food,respect and good wishes to their brothers . Crowds of children stroll from house to house singing "Deusi" , "Vailo" till late night . The Groups of singers,dancers and children are given corn , bread and money .It is a fun of this festival on its own .
Maghe Sakranti
The first Day of month Magh according to Nepali Calendar is called Maghe Sakranti . From this day onwards the sun changes its course from Southern hemisphere to the Northern hemisphere . To mark this change people celebrates it as the festival of Maghe Sakranti . Not only in Nepal and also in India Hindus gather in the confluences of holy river and perform ritual baths .
In Maghe Sakranti people goes to the holy place Ridi , Palpa for ritual baths. it is believed that if someone bath on the river Kaligandaki of Ridi his sins will clear out .After ritual bath people eats fruits ,sweet potato ,green vegetables and many foods.
Shiva Ratri
Shiva is one of the main god in three main gods of Hindus . There are many festivals held in honor of shiva but Shiva Ratri is important festival . It is Believed that on this day God Shiva was born . This day Falls in the month of February .In this day thousands of people goes to the holy Pasupati Nath in kathmandu and other shrins of Shiva and holy places in Nepal . Ridi is one of such holy places where the devoteed of Shiva visit the cave temple of Bhirgutungeshwar , which is situated at the bank of river .
There are many other places in the distric where the festival and fair is held on Shiva Ratri . Some people perform "Rudri " a special ceremony of worshiping Shiva . People burn fire in front of their houses in honour of Shiva in the evening.
Phagu Purnima Or Holi
Phagu purnima is celebrated on the full moon day of the month of phagun. Phagu is also known as the color festivals .On this occasion steerts of tansen become wild with frolic and fun as the group of boys and girls toss handful of bright red and other color powder ,ballons filled with colored water at passers by .
On this day all the government offices and shops are closed. Groups of singers and dancers go round the town singing Phagu songs . holi celebration ends in the late afternoon with the burning of Chir at public places or at the banks of the rivers and streams.
Chaite Dashain And Ram Nawami
Chaite Dashain and Ram nawami are two different festivals followed by one after another . Both of the festivals are associated with the great Hindu Epic Ramayana . Ram nawami is the birth day of Ram . The hiro of the epic . Chaite Dashain is the day when Ram killed Rawan , the powerful king of lanka .
On the occasion of Chaite Dashain and ram nawami a fair is held near the temple of Ban Devi , the goddess of Forest . It is a nice picnic spot in the middle of a dense forest .
It is already said that Nepal is the land of festivals .There are many other festivals which are notmentioned above in detail .
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