Festivals in Nepal are more than just days for celebration and worship. Festivals have contributed to Nepal’s identity. Festivals inspire and fascinate the old and the young. Recently some 80 amateur photographers took part in Image School’s 2nd Photo Challenge.

 

(Left) The month long festival of Madhav Narayan Mela takes place in Bhaktapur. Madhav Narayan is one of the most difficult rituals practiced by Hindus in Nepal. Devotees undertake a month-long fast, walk barefoot in the chilly cold winter mornings, take a holy dip in the early mornings in Salinadi together with God Madhav Narayan, eat one meal in a day without any salt, and go on a pilgrimage around the village temples. This image won the 1st Prize in the Jury Selection.

 

Photo by Bikash Khadge

 

(Left) This unique festival is observed in Nepal’s Patan Durbar Square. It is a Newari cultural celebration that comprises ancient dance and drama sequences. The festival was established by Malla King of Patan, Siddi Narsingh Malla. The last day is the most significant, when a legendary Hindu story of the Pralad and Narsingh Avatar is told. In the performance, Narsingh and Danav are engaged in a duel. It is believed the performer who plays the role of Narsingh possesses real tantric powers. When Narsingh ‘kills’ his opponent, Danav really faints, but awakens following a tantric anecdote. This image won the 2nd Prize in the Jury Selection.

 

Photo by Omlal Akayla

 

 

(Left) Chad Parva is one of the biggest festivals in Nepal. It is celebrated in the southern plains of Nepal known as the Terai Region. Devotees worship the sun God and the Goddess Chhadmai who is believed to be the daughter of the Bhramaputra River. Life in the Terai Region is very much influenced by this festival and it is a public holiday. Devotees believe that by taking a holy bath at this time in the river, and through acknowledging the sun God, all their diseases and sins will be gone and their wishes fulfilled. This image won the 3rd Prize Winner in the Jury Selection.

 

Photo by Manish Paudel

 

 

(Left) Newar culture is very rich in pageantry and ritual throughout the year. Many festivals are tied to Hindu holidays, Buddha's birth and the harvest cycle. Bisket Jatra, in Nepal’s Bhaktapur district, marks the start of the New Year. This image won the 1st Prize in the Participants Choice Category.

 

Photo by Omlal Akayla

 

 

(Left) Music is an inseparable part of every festival in Nepal. Traditions and skills are passed from generation to generation. The long flute/short flute originate from the Jyapu caste of the Kathmandu valley. These delightful-sounding instruments are made of sattisaal wood. The tune of these flutes often soars above the rest of the ensemble, taking the lead with high notes. This image won the 2nd Prize in the Viewers Choice Category.

 

Photo by Shishir Maharjan

 

 

(Left) Footprints of Faith. Tihar and Laxmi Puja (the third day of Tihar) is one of the most important days of the festival. On this day the Goddess of wealth (Laxmi) is worshiped in every household in Nepal by means of Puja - decoration, candle lights, and oil lamps. The entire nation is illuminated. Pictures and icons of Laxmi Devi (Goddess) are placed and worshiped in a Puja room, a living room, or a dedicated room for worshiping Gods. Puja is performed with flowers, incense, oil lamps, coloured-powders, bells and money. The ritual begins at dusk with the use of red mud, usually by a female in the family. She uses her hand covered with red mud to make a symbolic foot-print on the floor near the entrance of the house and a trail leading to the Puja room. This image won the 3rd Prize in the Viewers Choice Category.

 

Photo by Ritesh Prakash Shrestha

 

 

(Left) Almost every other day there will be a colourful processions across the Valley. Some celebrations are quiet family gatherings, others feature dance and song.

 

Photo by Shradha Chakradhar

 

 

(Left) Rato Machhindranath is the longest running chariot festival in Nepal. It begins with the construction of the chariot that is towed to different places in the town of Patan. Rato Machhindranath is celebrated by Buddhists and Hindus of Newar community. It is celebrated by carrying the chariot.

 

Rato Machhindranath has been worshipped as a god of rain and the festival starts just before the monsoon arrives in Kathmandu.

 

Photo by Umes Shrestha

 

 

(Left) Are festivals for everyone? During the Teej Festival, Hindu women queue outside Pashupatinath temple to worship Lord Shiva. During this festival, which usually falls in the month of August, or in early September, married women fast to honour Lord Shiva and for the long and healthy life of their husbands.

 

Photo by Prajwal Bhattarai