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First Published in 1971,
The Festivals of Nepal describes the most important festivals from the country, which have been arranged according to the ancient Nepalese calendar, beginning with the New Year in mid-April. The author provides, moreover, a brief introductory sketch of Nepalese geography, history, and religion, to give background to what follows.
When Mary Anderson began her five year residence in Kathmandu as the wife of a diplomat, she attended the frequent Nepalese festivals up and down the Valley because they were mysterious, colourful and great fun. But soon she became more deeply absorbed in the meaning of these ancient activities as she grew quickly aware that to the Nepalese themselves the ancient processions and rituals were of great importance. Somewhere, almost every day, there seems to be in Nepal a festival of some kind, but now that this hitherto secret land has been opened up to tourists and foreign influences, much of this historic pageantry may well be lost. The modernization of Nepalese society is certain to have its effects, but when these artless celebrations become the goal of spectators from outside, they will also lose its spontaneity. Mary Anderson was determined to record as many of them as she could, explaining their mythological, religious and historical backgrounds and relating some of the wealth of legends and folk tales that surround them. This is an interesting read for students of sociology of culture, South Asian studies, South Asian religion and culture and Hindu religion.
List of contents
Author's Note Foreword Introduction Part I: April- May 1. Nawabarsa and Bisket, Nepalese New Year in Bhadgaon and Thimi
2. Mata Tirtha Puja, Looking upon Mother's Face
3. Rato Machhendranath Rath Jatra, the Chariot Ride of Red Machhendra
4. Buddha Jayanti Purnima, the Full Moon of Lord Buddha's Birth
Part II: May- June 5. Sithinakha or Kumar Sasthi, the Birthday of Warrior- God Kumar
Part III: July- August 6. Ghanta Karna, the Night of the Devil
7. Gunla, the Sacred Month of Lord Buddha
8. Naga Panchami, the Day of the Snake Gods
9. Janai Purni or Raksha Bandhan, the Sacred Thread Festival
Part IV: August - September 10. Gai Jatra, the Procession of Sacred Cows
11. Krishna Jayanti, Lord Krishna is Born on Earth
12. Gokarna Aunsi, Nepalese Father's Day
13. Tij Brata, the Fasting Festival for Women Only
14. Ganesh Chata, the Elephant God curses the Moon
15. Indra Jatra or Kumari Jatra, King of Gods and a Living Goddess
Part V: September- October 16. Sorah Shraddha, Sixteen Days of Ancestor Worship
17. Dasain or Durga Puja, the Universal Mother Goddess Triumphs over Evil
18. Pachali Bhairab Jatra, the God of Terror rides again
Part VI: October- November 19. Tihar or Diwali, Goddess Laxmi's Festival of Lights
20. Haribodhini Ekadasi the Return of the Lord Vishnu
21. Mahalaxmi Village Puja, for the Goddess of Wealth and Harvest
Part VII: November- December 22. Gujeswari Jatra, Worship of the Secret Goddess
23. Indriani Pujaand Nhaya Gaya Jatra, Festival of Goddess Indriani and the Seven Villages
24. Bala Chaturdashi, in Remembrance of Bala and the Dead
25. Sita Bibaha Panchami, the Wedding of Goddess Sita and Lord Rama
26. Yomarhi Punhi or Dhanya Purnima, Rice Cakes for the Harvest moon
Part VIII: December- January 27. Seto Machhendranath Snan, the Public Bath of Lord White Machhendra
28. The Holy Month of Magh
29. Bhimsen Puja, a Deified War Hero becomes Patron Saint of Merchants
30. A Thousand and One Lights, the Buddhist Procession at Bodhnath
Part IX: February- March 31. Shiva Ratri, the Sacred Night of Lord Shiva
32. Holi, Red Powder, Romance and Haunting Demons
Part X: March-April 33. Chakandeo Jatra, a Traveling Merchant becomes a God
34. Pisach Chaturdashi, Pahachare, and Ghora Jatra, Devils, Guests and Racing Horses
35. Balaju Jatra or Lhuti Punhi, Holy Bathing at Balaju at Full Moon
36. Sapana Tirtha Mela, Dreams and Renewed Life for the New year
Bibliography Index
About the author
Mary M. Anderson lived in China for more than twenty years and has written extensively on Asian history and culture.
Summary
First Published in 1971, The Festivals of Nepal describes the most important festivals from the country, which have been arranged according to the ancient Nepalese calendar, beginning with the New Year in mid-April.
