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Kathmandu is celebrating 'Bhoto Jatra' today. With Bhoto Jatra the month long chariot festival of the valley's rain god, Rato Macchendranath comes to an end today in Jwalakhel, Lalitpur. After beginning his journey on a full moon day in a decorative wooden chariot, pulled by local devotees,  the god visited all  the important localities of Patan and ended his journey today at  Jwalakhel with the showing of the Bhoto(vest).   That the rain god has been appeased and the valley has been blessed is evident from the heavy downpour that the valley has been recieving the last couple of days.

Namche Festival 2012 will be held from 27th to 29th May, 2012 at Namche Bazaar in Everest Region. The inauguration of the festival coincides with the Fifth International Sagarmatha Day. Namche Festival will feature cultural programs (folk dances, songs, masked dance etc. and will showcase the rich cultural heritage of the Sherpas living in the Solu Khumbu region. The festival will also provide a platform to raise public awareness on the adverse impact of climate change.

Namche Bazaar – Sherpa capital (Pic: Explore Himalaya)

Tamang community in Kathmandu will be oragnzing Tamang Festival in the capital from May 10–12, 2012.The festival will be held in Tundikhel to mark Buddha Jayanti. According to the organizers, the festival will showcase the indigenous culture of the Tamangs through cultural programmes and discourses on the practices of Buddhist philosophy in the social, cultural and religious activities of the Tamang community.

(Pic; Explore Himalaya)

Tamangs of Langtang Valley

Experience Tamang Culture by trekking through the Tamang Heritage Trail

Kathmandu is celebrating 'Ghode Jatra' or the 'Festival of Horses' today. The valley denizens believe that the festival is observed to celebrate the downfall of a wicked demon named Tundi who used to reside at Tundikhel and terrorize the people. After his death people celebrated by riding horses over his dead body. People believe that the sound of the horses’ hooves keeps away the demon’s spirit. So every year during "Ghode Jatra" horsemen from the cavalry unit of the Nepal Army ride down the length and breadth of Tundikhel(a ground located in central Kathmandu) during the festival.