Culture - Khabar Butwal

Pashupatinath Fair Begins Today with Traditional Deepdaan and Satabeej Rituals

The annual Pashupatinath Fair, observed on Margashirsha Krishna Trayodashi to pray for the peace of departed ancestors, begins today. From early morning, devotees gather at the Pashupatinath area to light lamps in memory of their ancestors. On the evening of Trayodashi, devotees perform deepdaan rituals, while on the morning of Chaturdashi they scatter Satabeej (sacred seeds) wishing for the liberation of departed souls. Those who offer Akhanda Deepdaan through the night scatter Satabeej at dawn the following day. Large crowds are expected not only at the Pashupatinath Temple but also at Shiva temples across the country. On the eve of…

Ban on Meat, Alcohol, and Intoxicants in Pashupatinath Area for Three Days

Starting today, the production, sale, distribution, storage, and consumption of meat, alcohol, and intoxicants are prohibited in the Pashupatinath Temple area for three days. The local administration has imposed this restriction to maintain security, religious and cultural decorum, and sanctity during Bala Chaturdashi (Shatabijaropan) festival, which falls on Mangsir 3. Four checkpoints have been established to enforce the prohibition. Chief District Officer of Kathmandu, Ishwar Raj Poudel, stated that the ban has been implemented in accordance with Section 6(930) of the Local Administration Act, 2028. A warning has also been issued that anyone violating this notice will be subject to…

Hariharkshetra–Mithila Chaurasi Kos Sankirtan Pilgrimage Team to Arrive in Janakpurdham

The Hariharkshetra Mithila Chaurasi Kos Sankirtan pilgrimage team is set to arrive in Janakpurdham. At a press conference held at the Janaki Temple, the temple’s junior Mahant, Ram Roshan Das, confirmed the team’s visit. According to Mahant Das, the five-day Sankirtan pilgrimage starting on Kartik 29 will include a special stop in Janakpurdham, the ancient capital of Mithila. The pilgrimage will begin from Hariharkshetra in Hajipur, Bihar, and will arrive in Janakpurdham the same day. The team is scheduled to reach Bhittamod, a border point in Mahottari, at 2 PM on Saturday, where they will be warmly welcomed. From there,…

Kirat Guru Falgunanda’s 141st Birth Anniversary Being Celebrated with Various Events

The 141st birth anniversary of Mahaguru Falgunanda, revered by followers of the Kirat religion, is being celebrated across the country with various programs. Falgunanda was born on Kartik 25, 1942 BS in Ilam to a humble family. He made significant contributions to the preservation and promotion of Kirat language, script, traditions, culture, and social reform. To guide social transformation, he formulated a set of moral and ethical principles known as “Satya Dharma Muchulka”, issued on Baisakh 24, 1988 BS. Falgunanda passed away in 2005 BS. In recognition of his immense contributions to Kirat society and Nepal as a whole, the…

Devghatdham Gandaki Parikrama Festival Begins Today: Promoting Religion, Culture, and Tourism

The sacred pilgrimage site Devghatdham, which extends across Tanahun, Chitwan, and Nawalpur districts at the confluence of the Gandaki River, is hosting the Devghatdham Gandaki Parikrama Festival today. The festival aims to promote the religious significance and cultural heritage of the region. The event is being organized by the Nepal Sant Samaj with the support of Devghat Rural Municipality and the Devghat Area Development Committee. To promote the festival, a motorcycle rally was held on Monday in Devghat of Tanahun and Bharatpur of Chitwan, according to Phanindra Prasad Paudel, Principal of Mahesh Sanskrit Gurukul Devghat. The Gandaki Parikrama (holy circumambulation)…

Haribodhini Ekadashi: Worship of Tulsi and Awakening of Lord Vishnu Today

On the day of Kartik Shukla Ekadashi, devotees across Nepal are celebrating Haribodhini Ekadashi by performing special worship rituals and conducting the symbolic marriage ceremony of Tulsi (holy basil) with Lord Vishnu. According to Hindu belief, Lord Vishnu, who goes into a divine sleep in the Kshira Sagar (Ocean of Milk) on Ashadh Shukla Ekadashi — also known as Harishayani Ekadashi — awakens on this day. Hence, this Ekadashi is also called Haribodhini or Prabodhini Ekadashi. Devotees observe the Tulsi fast and worship continuously during these four months, from Harishayani to Haribodhini Ekadashi. As Lord Vishnu is believed to be…

Kushmanda Navami Festival Celebrated in Mahottari and Other Districts of Madhesh Province

Kushmanda Navami, also known as Akshaya Navami, Dhatri Navami, or Ichchha Navami, is being celebrated today in Mahottari district and other parts of Madhesh Province. The festival falls on the ninth day (Navami) of the bright fortnight of the month of Kartik and is observed with traditional rituals and community feasting. According to Maithil tradition, it is customary to sit and eat at the base of the Indian Gooseberry (Amla) tree on this day. Preparations for this festival begin a day in advance, and families gather near home gardens, orchards, or forests where amla trees are found. Food is prepared…

Ramleela Mahayagya in Dogadakedar, Baitadi from November 2 to Preserve Culture

The preparation for the Ramleela Mahayagya scheduled to begin from Kartik 17 (November 2) in Dogadakedar Rural Municipality, Baitadi has reached its final stage. The cultural event is being organized by the Dogadakedar Cultural Society and will be staged at the premises of Shrikot Multipurpose Campus. According to Dan Singh Karki, member of the Cultural Society and chief of Shrikot Multipurpose Campus, preparations have intensified. He informed that training for artists performing in the Ramleela drama is underway along with other management arrangements. He said, “The Ramleela has been organized to preserve religious culture, instill discipline in the young generation,…

Historic Kartik Naach Begins in Patan, Cultural Dance Drama to Continue for 10 Days

The historic and culturally significant Kartik Naach (Kati Pyakhan), which reveals moral values and social character through dance drama, began on Monday evening at the Dabali near Krishna Mandir in Patan Durbar Square. The ritual dance tradition was initiated in 1697 AD (Nepal Sambat 761) by King Siddhi Narsingh Malla of Lalitpur. According to Sanjay Sharma Rajopadhyaya, priest of Taleju Temple and member of the Kartik Naach Committee, the dance holds religious and tantric importance. “Kartik Naach was performed to awaken truth and morality in society, and it carries the same cultural value today,” he said. He added that although…

Chhath Festival Concludes with Morning Offerings to the Rising Sun

The Chhath festival concluded this year with devotees offering Arghya to the rising sun on Tuesday morning. People from the Mithila region observed the sacred ritual by sitting along riverbanks and worshipping the Sun God with devotion, offering cow’s milk, flowers, and holy water. The four-day-long Chhath festival begins on Kartik Shukla Chaturthi with the ritual known as Nahay Khay. It concludes on Saptami with the morning offering to the rising sun, known as Usha Arghya. Earlier, on the evening of Shashthi, devotees had offered Sandhya Arghya (evening prayers) to the setting sun. According to Jeevesh Jha, author of The…