Culture

Khukuri is not only the national knife of Nepal but is also the symbol of the great Gurkha soldier. The awesome cutting edge of the Khukuri was first experienced by the British in India when the invading British forces had to face it in the well-documented battles since 1814 while combating the Gurkha army.

Panche Baja is a collection of five traditional musical instruments that are played together and the set has played a major role in the enhancement of Nepali music since the time unknown. Especially played at many life rites rituals like Janti (a wedding procession) and other religious occasions. A small band of people forms a musical band each specialized in one instrument.

Yomari written as ‘योमरी, योह-मरी’ in Nepali is a sweet delicacy made of rice flour with chaku (jaggery taffy) and sesame seed fillings. This festival is also known as ‘Yomari Punhi’ (in Newar language) that symbolizes the end of the rice harvest season. In the farming community of Newar culture, it is believed that during Yomari Purnima, Yomari should be made of the fresh rice flour derived from the paddy harvest of the current season.

Traditionally, young women could decide to wear tattoos as permanent jewelry, whereas all married women must have compulsory tattoos on their legs applied prior to marrying, typically in the month of March during the wedding season (the months of Falgun-Chaitra in the Bikram Sambat calendar). Today, however, neither the married nor the young Tharu girls choose to wear tattoos.

Bala Chaturdashi is an occasion for Nepalese to observe a ritual remembering the deceased family members. As the name says, Bala Chaturdashi falls on Krishna Paksha Chaturdashi, the fourteenth day of the waning moon fortnight in the month Mangshir (Nov/Dec). It is also called sattbij chharne din, a day to offer seven varieties of grains; paddy, barley, sesame, wheat, gram, maize, and finger millet

Guru Nanak Jayanti is the most important festival for the Sikhs in Nepal like everywhere in the world. The festival also called “Guru Nanak Gurpurab” or “Guru Nanak’s Prakash Utsav” is celebrated to commemorate the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak (1469-1539).

The religious Kirant leader Mahaguru Phalgunanda was born as Phalgunanda Lingdel on Karti5 25, 1941 BS (November 10, 1885 AD). He was…

Sama Chakeva festival originated in the Mithila region of the Indian Subcontinent is a sacred festival that epitomizes brother-sister love. The festival follows the story of a brother from Vrindavan (now in India) taking a bird form called Chekheva (Rudy Shelduck) to revert his sister back to the human form who was cursed to become a bird too for committing adultery.

What is a family?  You may encounter with varied definitions when a question like that arises. And, if you ask Hindus, they…

Despite living in the 21st century we humans have not let go of superstitions and orthodoxies. There are many in Nepal that…