One of the best parts of traveling is learning about other cultures. After spending a month in Bali and seeing the daily Hindu rituals performed there, I was excited to experience the Tihar Festival (a Nepali Hindu festival). One of my local friends thought it would be fun for me to see the difference between […]
Celebrating Mha Puja in Nepal
Getting to celebrate Mha Puja in Nepal this year was a special treat. Typically, Mha Puja is reserved for family members, so I’ve never had the chance to experience it before. Since it’s my first year as a wife, I got to participate in the lovely ritual with my family. Hindu festivals and rituals are […]
Celebrating Laxmi Puja in Nepal
One of my favorite things about living abroad is that I get to experience so many different festivals and traditions. This year, I got to participate in Laxmi Puja in Nepal. Previously, I’d celebrated the Tihar festival as a tourist, but I wasn’t able to do a lot of the things that are reserved for […]
How to Celebrate Nepali New Year & Bisket Jatra
The first time I visited Nepal I noticed there was a holiday or festival almost every week, but I could never find much information on how to celebrate. Last year, I was here for Nepali New Year, but I didn’t really know what to do with myself. I imagined it to be like New Year’s […]
Celebrating Kukur Tihar: the Nepal Dog Festival
If you ask me what my favorite festival in Nepal is, the answer is definitely Tihar. Hands down, no questions asked. If you ask me my favorite day, then the answer is obviously Kukur Tihar! “Kukur” means “dog” in Nepali. As a dog lover, nothing makes me happier than celebrating Kukur Tihar in Nepal. An […]
Holi in Nepal: Why, How & Where to Celebrate
Holi is a Hindu festival celebrated in India and Nepal which typically takes place in March. Today, it has become a popular festival among tourists who enjoy its bright colors and playful atmosphere. Those who want to participate should learn a little about the meaning of Holi. Holi in Nepal celebrates the end of winter […]
Maha Shivaratri in Nepal: How to Celebrate as a Tourist
This year, I’m making an effort to celebrate as many Nepali holidays as I can. Each year there are tons of festivities for Maha Shivaratri in Nepal, but if you don’t know where to look, you might miss it. Last year, I only knew about the holiday because small children were blocking my street and […]
A Hundred Warm Welcomes at Kaina Bazaar
A few weeks ago, I set off on an unusual journey. I would be joining what looked like a motorcycle gang headed into the Mid-Western Region of Nepal. Despite my time in the country, I’d never traveled further than Butwal, a city far from the Mid-Western Regions border. The mid-west seemed like a far off […]
Losar Festival: Tibetan New Year in Nepal
Nepal is such an interesting country with different festivals happening every couple of weeks. Each caste and ethnic group has its own celebrations and traditions. One of the biggest festivals among Tibetan Buddhists is the Losar Festival. Losar is the Tibetan word for “New Year.” Nepal runs on the Bikram Sambat Calendar. This means that […]