OVERVIEW :
This is the festival of Sacred Thread ( Janai )
The full moon day festival is about reciting Bedic mantras and changing sacred thread of Hindus and celebrated all over the countr, with family get together and feasts of Kwati and sprout lentils . Pilgrims crowd in shrines to receive welfare thread around their wrist. Pilgrims from far flung places visit Gosainkunda (sacred lake). They pray to lord Shiva by bathing in the sacred lake. People also throng to Patan Kumbeswar temple for this festival .
On this day Shamans of the valley and around Nepal gather to perform their ancient rites in places like the Kumbeshwar in Patan, Gosaikunda in Langtang and Charikot in Dolakha. International counterparts trained by Nepali Shamans also make it a point to visit their sacred sites on this occasion
This full moon day sees a large number of Brahmins at the holy riverbanks. They take ritual dips in the water and offer ablution to the gods. They then change their sacred threads. Brahman priests tie yellow sacred threads around the wrists of the faithful.
Newars of Kathmandu Valley call this festival Gunhi Punhi and they prepare a soup of a mixture of beans called Kwati as special food for the day. Kwati is a nutritious soup made from sprouted beans.
At Kumbheswar in Patan, a richly decorated Lingam, the phallic symbol of Lord Shiva, is placed on a raised platform in the middle of the Kumbheswar pond to receive homage from devotees. Another ceremony that takes place here is Byan-ja Nakegu, during which rice is offered to frogs in gratitude for a good spell of rain.
Brief Itinerary :
Day 1(25 Aug 2018) : Arrival in Kathmandu (1300 m/4260 ft ) . PM: Half day Sightseeing. Overnight at the hotel in Patan .
Day 2 (26 Aug 2018): Observe RAKCHHYA BANDAN (JANAI PURNIMA FESTIVAL) Balaju/ Budhanilkantha/ Patan Kumbeswar . Over night in Patan .
Day 3 (27 Aug 2018): Observe GAIJATRA in 3 Cities (Kathmandu, Patan, Bhaktapur ) of Kathmamandu valley. Overnight in Patan
Day 4 (28 Aug 2018): Kathmandu/Patan –ChanguNarayan – Nagarkot drive . Overnight in Nagarkot .
Day 5 (29 Aug 2018 ) : Nagarkot to Kathmandu enroute visiting Bhaktapur
Day 6 (30 Aug 2018 ) : Departure .
Detail Itinerary :
On Arrival in Tribhuwan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu you will be met and greeted by Global Asia Tours & Travel’s represenatative and transferred to your centrally located hotel . After brief rest you will be taken for a quick city tours covering Swayambhunath /Monkey temple ( 2000 years) Buddhist stupa . After this we visit (time permiting ) Kathmandu Durbar Square, the cultural center of Kathmandu valley where the world’s only living goddess KUMARI is housed. Evening Typical Nepalese dinner with dance . Overnight at the hotel .
Today after breakfast we will proceed to Balaju (Baais Dhara) to understand little bit on this festival . Janai purnima is The festival of sacred thread
The full moon day festival is about reciting Bedic mantras and changing sacred thread of Hindus. Pilgrims crowd in shrines to receive welfare thread around their wrist. This festival is marked all over Nepal with family get togethers and feasts of Kwati or sprout lentils and there is special celebrations in Balaju, Gosainkunda, Patan ( Kumbeswar ) , Budhanilkantha etc . They prey to lord Shiva by bathing in the sacred lake. Kumbheswar Mahadev temple at patan is also crowded with pilgrims where a pond is specially prepared for festival. We will visit Kumbeswar Temple in Patan to more enjoy the festival. Since we are already staying in PataOvernight at the hotel .
Today after breakfast we visit the 3 historical cities of Kathmandu valley to observer the various activities of GAIJATRA . Gaitjatra festival is marked to remember the departed soul and the literal meaning of this festival is FESTIVAL OF COWS . Thi festival is celebrated in all through Nepal and mainly in Kathmandu valley by the Newar .The festival commemorates the death of people during the year. During the festival, cows are marched in the streets and generally celebrated in the Nepalese month of Bhadra (August–September). Apart from the festival you will enjoy the best of heritage and architecture while visiting Kathamandu , Patan and Bhaktapur . Ovenight at the hotel .
Morning Optional Mountain (Everest) flight. Later drive to Changu Narayan Temple, the superb pagoda temple is the symbol of very best Nepalease arts and architecture & this is Kathmanndu valleys oldest proven temple form 4th Century dedicated to Lord Vishnu. This temple is blessed with glorious woodcarvins , metalworks, stone sculptures . The classically proportioned tripple roofed pagoda is a masterpiece of form and decorations. From you will hike uphill to Telkot where your vehicle will be waiting to pick you up . Continue driving to Nagarkot for overnight . PM free to relax . Evening sunset over the himalays . Overnight at the Mountain resort .
Early morning sunrise over the Himalayas . Later after breakfast we will drive down to Bhaktapur ( Bhadgaon ) one of the most preserved heritage city of Kathmandu valley with its unique layot of pagoda temples, quiet streets, amazing Durbar Squares . The literal meaning of Bhaktapur is the ‘city of devotees’ with its 99 percent Newar hindu populations. Some of the highlights of Bhaktapur are Dattatreya Temple , Nyatapola temple , Taumadhi square, Potters square, Bhktapur Durbar Square, 55 windowed palace, King’s statue,big bell and more . After the tour of Bhaktapur we will return back to Kathamndu. Evening free for shopping or individual activities . Everning farewell Nepalese dinner . overnight at the hotel .
After breakfast transfer to the airport in time to connect the international flight .
Warm Farewell !!
Services include:
- All the required airport transfers
- Airconditioned vehicle for transfers and sightseeing
- Service of english speaking tour guide
- Twin share accomodations
- Daily breakfast
- Kathmandu/Patan -Nagarkot-Kathmanadu drive
- Entrance fees at the places of visit
- Sightseeing and excursions as per the program .
- Hiking form Changunarayan – Nagarkot
- Sunrise and sunset excursions in Nagarkot
- Participation in Participation in the Rakchhya Bandan and Gai Jatra Festival
- All the government taxes and festival surcharges
Compliments:
Fresh flower garland on arrival, welcome drinks, service of tour officer , farewell dinner , 01 bottle of mineral water every day during sightseeing), farewell scarf on departure .
Services exclude :
- Travel insurance
- Visa fees /Passort fees
- International flight cost
- Emergency rescue
- Optional tours like Mountain flight , Cable car, rafting .
- Expenses of personal nature like drinks/barbills , internet, laundry, telephone, postage, tipping/gratuities
- Expenses arising from from flight delays, flight cancellations, bad weather , road blockade,landslides, riots,political reasons ,natural calamities, incidents beyond our control.
- Rooms/hotels upgrading
- Services other than included.
- In case suddend change in festival dates and any expense arising from this reason .