Festival Season In Nepal
People often ask me, “What are you doing here? Why would you leave America, a country that many Nepalis dream of moving to, and choose to stay in Nepal instead? Isn’t America a beautiful country?” These are valid questions. I am a student of art and the Nepali language, and I work as a freelance editor and writer. I enjoy helping those who are open to receiving support or simply need a friend with a kind smile and a compassionate heart. I cherish the opportunity to share with you, the reader, about a place and a people that hold a special place in my heart through my writing. I hope that the words you read resonate with you and inspire you to love Nepal as well.
Right now, Nepal is at the tail end of its festival season, although there are many other holidays throughout the year. Earlier in October, they celebrated Dashain, and yesterday marked the last day of Tihar, a five-day holiday also known as the Festival of Lights. This celebration is mostly observed by Hindus and involves honoring four creatures associated with Yama, the god of death. The last day is special for siblings, who celebrate their bond by exchanging gifts. Each day of Tihar is dedicated to a different animal, and children sing and dance in homes and outside shops, expecting gifts or money in return. People also engage in gambling games on the sidewalks, enjoy drinking lots of alcohol, and set off fireworks throughout the night. They light small candles called Diyos, placing them inside and outside their homes and shops, sometimes even hanging electric lights to dispel darkness and welcome Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth.
One of many displays of Puja (an offering of worship to the Hindu gods) in a neighborhood grocery store.
During the festival season from October to early November, Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, feels quite empty as many people travel to their villages to be with family. Coming from a Western background and being a follower of Jesus, I find it challenging to grasp the numerous holidays celebrated here and their many different customs. My thoughts can feel scrambled, but there is a certain beauty in the changing seasons. The air is getting colder as we prepare for winter. As a Westerner, I feel joy when I see the colorful electric lights, which remind me of Christmas just a couple of months away. It’s incredibly special to witness how Nepal’s festival season brings families closer. Tihar is called the Festival of Lights for many reasons, but it also reminds me of a perfect king who came as the Light of the World. I know He has the power to dispel all darkness, even in a place like Nepal.
