Raksha Bandhan

                      RAKSHA BANDHAN
The bonding between a brother   brother and a sister is  simirly  unique  and is beyond description in words. The relationship between siblings is extraordinary and is given importance in every part of the world. However, when it comes to India, the relationship becomes all the more important as there is a festival called "Raksha Bandhan" dedicated for the sibling love.

The festival is made up of two words, namely "Raksha" and "Bandhan." As per the Sanskrit terminology, the occasion means "the tie or knot of protection" where "Raksha" stands for the protection and "Bandhan" signifies the verb to tie. Together, the festival symbolizes the eternal love of brother-sister relationship which does not mean just the blood relationships only.

The festival of Raksha Bandhan is observed as a symbol of duty between brothers and sisters. The occasion is meant to celebrate any type of brother-sister relationship between men and women who may not be biologically related.

On this day, a sister ties a rakhi around the wrist of her brother in order to pray for his prosperity, health and well-being. The brother in return offers a gifts and promises to protect his sister from any harm and under every circumstance. The festival is also celebrated between brother-sister belonging to distant family members, relatives or cousins.

GAI JATRA

                                  Gai Jatra
I am so proud to say Gai Jatra is the one festival celebrated only in Nepal. It is not shared by any of our neighbouring country. Only Nepal has the copyright of this festivalwhich is famous for it’s uniqueness as well. Here Gai is the Nepali word for cow. Jatra means carnival of people. In simple words Gai jatra is said to be the day of worshipping cows in which lots of carnivals are shown on the streets by the people according to their culture and tradition. In ancient times it was considered to be the festival only of Newars residing in Kathmandu valley. But now the festival has spread it’s unity and joy all over to Nepal regardless of any Casts andethnicity.

Hence, from the day King Pratap Malla started the tradition of cow procession with boys with different funny make ups in funny costumes. The boys even put tails and make up like monkeys and Hunuman walk though the city road to show people that the death is the truth in the life and every one has to face it one day. The Gai Jatra tradition slowly developed into doing humorous acts including jokes, satires, mockery and lampoon in the Gai Jatra days.

After the cow procession is over, in the afternoon, everyone takes part in another tradition in which the participants dress up and wear masks. There also people enjoy the moments with songs, jokes, mockery and humors until late evening.

Gai Jatra is a festival which enables people to accept the reality of death and to prepare oneself for the life after death. It heals the grief and sorrow, at least a little, when people see the cow possession and realize people die, and we are not alone in the country who lost our loved ones.

Janai Purnima

                         JANAI PURNIMA

  Janai Purnim is one of the great festivals of Nepal.This festival is about the sacred thread. It lies in the full moon fortnight of Bhadra and August in Gregorian.Bhramans and chhetri in Nepal change their sacred thread known as Janai on this day from their Gurus, after taking a holy bath in the river.

The most important is called Janai Purnima. Brahmins change their janai (sacred thread) once a year on this day while other Hindus have a sacred thread tied around their wrists. For the Brahmins, it’s an affirmation of their status, while in the case of the latter, the thread around their wrist is supposed to offer them protection against all ills. Most people keep the thread on for at least three months,  until Laxmi Puja, when it is taken off to be tied around a cow’s tail, a deed that assures a smooth journey to heaven since, after you die, you’ll be able to hang on to it as the cow pulls you across the Baitarni River on the way.

This festival is very essential religious value among the maternal uncles,nephews,married and unmarried daughters , sisters and their husbands along with their children. Because in this day they all are invited to eat, given some donation as their capacity for efficiency.
In these festival thousands of devotees worship Lord Shiva at Pashupatinath in Kathmandu and Kumbeswor in Lalitpur and take holy dips in ponds and lakes to eradicate their sins. A very great religious fair takes place at Gosaikunda lake in Rasuwa District.Ganga Dhanus Sagar at Janakpur and Tribenidham mela is also observed.