Festivals & Events

1. दशैंमा टीका लगाउन आउनुहोस्

   Dashainma tikaa lagaauna aaunuhos

   Please come to receive the tika blessing during Dashain

   Usage

   Used to invite family members to receive the tika blessing on the 10th day of Dashain (Bijaya Dashami)

   Grammar Note

   "Aaunuhos" is the honorific imperative "please come." The Dashain tika ritual uses yogurt, red powder (abir), and rice grains applied to the forehead by elders, symbolizing blessings and protection.

2. तिहारमा देउसी खेल्न आउँछौं

   Tihaarma deusi khelna aaunchhaun

   We'll come to play deusi during Tihar

   Usage

   Used when telling people you'll come to perform deusi, the Tihar tradition of groups singing folk songs door-to-door

   Grammar Note

   "Aaunchhaun" is first person plural future/present. Deusi groups visit houses singing traditional songs; homeowners offer money or sweets. Boys do "deusi," girls do "bhailo" — a parallel Tihar tradition.

3. इन्द्रजात्राको रथयात्रा हेर्न जाम

   Indrajaatraako rathayaatraa herna jaam

   Let's go watch the chariot procession of Indra Jatra

   Usage

   Used to suggest going to watch the famous Kumari chariot procession during Indra Jatra festival in Kathmandu

   Grammar Note

   "Jaam" is the hortative "let's go." During Indra Jatra, the living goddess Kumari, along with Ganesh and Kumar, rides separate chariots through Kathmandu's old city. The President receives the first tika.

4. होली खेल्न रंग किन्नुपर्यो

   Holi khelna rang kinnuparyo

   We need to buy colors to play Holi

   Usage

   Used when preparing for Nepal's Holi festival by going to buy colored powder for celebration

   Grammar Note

   "-nuparyo" expresses obligation (past/present need). Nepal celebrates Holi (Fagu Purnima) in Kathmandu one day before the Tarai — a unique split celebration. Water balloons and colored powder are traditional.

5. क्रिसमस यहाँ पनि मनाइन्छ?

   Krismas yahaan pani manaainchha?

   Is Christmas celebrated here too?

   Usage

   Used to ask about Christmas celebrations in Nepal, where Christian communities do celebrate

   Grammar Note

   "Manaaichha" is the impersonal passive "is celebrated." Nepal is officially secular, and Nepal's growing Christian community (~2%) celebrates Christmas. Kathmandu sees Christmas decorations in tourist areas.

6. गाईजात्रामा के हुन्छ?

   Gaaijaatraama ke hunchha?

   What happens during Gaijatra (cow festival)?

   Usage

   Used to ask about Gaijatra, the unique Newari festival featuring cow processions and satirical performances

   Grammar Note

   "Ke huncha?" asks "what happens?" Gaijatra is a unique Newari festival where families who lost someone that year lead a cow procession. Participants dress in costumes and perform satirical comedy to ease grief.

7. बुद्ध जयन्तीमा लुम्बिनी जाने?

   Buddha jayantima Lumbini jaane?

   Are you going to Lumbini for Buddha Jayanti?

   Usage

   Used to suggest visiting Lumbini (Buddha's birthplace) during Buddha Jayanti festival

   Grammar Note

   "Jaane?" is a colloquial question "are you going?" Lumbini (Rupandehi district) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Buddha Jayanti (Baisakh Purnima) draws Buddhist pilgrims worldwide to Nepal.

8. छठ पर्व कसरी मनाइन्छ?

   Chhath parva kasari manaainchha?

   How is Chhath festival celebrated?

   Usage

   Used to ask about Chhath, a major Hindu festival celebrated in Nepal's Tarai region dedicated to the sun god

   Grammar Note

   "Manaaichha" is the impersonal passive. Chhath is observed in Kartik (Oct-Nov) over 4 days with sunrise/sunset rituals at rivers. It's Nepal's most sacred festival for the Madheshi community.

9. यस पटक दशैंमा घर जाने कि नजाने?

   Yas patak Dashainma ghar jaane ki najaane?

   Are you going home for Dashain this time or not?

   Usage

   Casual expression used to ask friends or colleagues whether they will return home for the Dashain holidays

   Grammar Note

   "A कि B" ("ki") forms an either/or question: "जाने कि नजाने" = "going, or not going?". The "-ne" form here expresses a plan or future intention.

10. मंगल ढोल बजाउनेहरू को हुन्?

    Mangal dhol bajaauneharu ko hun?

    Who are the people playing the mangal dhol drums?

    Usage

    Used to ask about the Damai caste musicians who play ceremonial drums at festivals and processions in Nepal

    Grammar Note

    "-Neharu" nominalizes verbs into "those who do" (plural). The Damai caste are Nepal's traditional musicians at weddings and festivals, playing the "panchai baja" (5 sacred instruments) ensemble.

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