Navin Shakya
festivals
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Every year, a group of my friends comes up with an ambitious trekking plan for the long Dashain vacation. It’s become a bit of a tradition: mountains, trails and endless stories around a campfire. This year was supposed to be the same. But then 2025 decided to get weird on us. Nepal has been through… More on this
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The Kumari is believed to be the incarnation of Taleju, revered as a protector of the land. The practice solidified during the Malla dynasty, particularly under King Jayaprakash Malla, who is credited with formalizing the worship of the young virgin girl as a divine figure. More on this
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Dashain is Nepal’s biggest festival, known for bringing families together and celebrating cultural traditions. It’s not just a religious event, but an important social occasion where people reconnect with their loved ones. One of the most noticeable parts of Dashain is how many people who work or study in Kathmandu travel back to their hometowns.… More on this
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I am part of the Newa community in the Kathmandu Valley, known for its rich fusion of flavors, history, and cultural practices in its cuisine. Buffalo meat is a staple ingredient. In my culture, food is integral to social and family events, making vegetarianism a challenge. Choosing to be vegetarian during the month of Shrawan… More on this
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Achar Ghar, located in Pulchowk, Lalitpur, is one of my favourite places for Thakali Khana for their unique servings of different variety of achar (pickles). So, I decided to take my wife there for dinner just a day before the holidays of Dashain start. I went there, everything was normal, ordered the usual Thakali set… More on this
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Kartik Nach, a traditional dance-drama performed in Lalitpur, takes place on a public platform in front of the seventeenth-century Patan Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and has been continuing for nearly 400 years. This unique art form, which blends dance, drama, and music, was first staged in 1641 AD by King Siddhinarasingh Malla.… More on this
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Mha Puja, celebrated on the fourth day of Tihar by the Newacommunity of Nepal, is a unique ritual dedicated to self-purification and renewal. It is believed to cleanse the body and spirit of negative and evil forces, preparing individuals for a prosperous and healthy future. This festival also coincides with New Year’s Day in the… More on this
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Bhoto Jatra marks the final day of the festival of Bungadya (Rato Machhendranath), one of the most important cultural events in the city of Lalitpur. On this special day, thousands of people from Lalitpur and neighboring districts gather at the Jawalakhel ground for a dry picnic, turning the area into a lively social space. Families… More on this
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Basantapanchami marks the arrival of spring season and bids goodbye to freezing winter. It is also a day to worship the goddess of learning, Saraswati. Traditionally, this day is seen as the perfect time for “Akshararambha,” a ceremony where children write their first letter, symbolizing the start of their educational journey. More on this