Janai Purnima and Raksha Bandhan
All tradition -following higher caste Hindu males wear a Janai (sacred thread) across the left shoulder and tied beneath the right armpit. After passing boyhood, the Jajai is to be worn continuously as a symbol of awareness of body, speech and mind; when the knot is tied the wearer is supposed to have gained complete control over each. This year the festival falls on 9 th of Aught. Once a year, on Janai Purnima people go to river banks or visit temples such as Pashupatinath in Kathmandu or Kumbheswar in Patan for a ritual bath. Afterwards the sacred threads are changed. Other castes of Hindus and Buddish who do not wear the Janai receive protection cords on this day. This string, called raksha bandhan, is tied around one's wrist by a Brahmin and is regarded to have the power to protect the wearer from evil. The wearer leaves the thread on his wrist until Tihar, a later festival at which time a sister traditionally makes a garland of the strings as a blessing for her brother.

On Janai Purnima the most pious Hindu devotees who have time and can afford it, make a pilgrimage to Gosainkunda, the mountain lakes which are regarded as sacred to Lord Shiva. A dip in the lakes on this day is believed to add considerable to a devotee's stock of merit.

The scene of Gosainkunda, located at elevation 4360 meters, north of Kathmandu and just south of the Langtang range, is quite exciting, and is well worth the climb (often through rain) up to the site.

Traditional faith healers called Jhankris, dressed in belted white robes and crowned with porcupine quills and peacock feathers, perform ritual dances to throbbing drumbeats night and day. Thousands of people from all over Nepal and parts of India gather in boisterous song, dance and earnest devotions, camping and cooking in make- shift shelters. Visitors are welcome. In the morning the lake's edge turns red with vermillion power and the air is impregnated waters and changes their sacred threads.

To reach Gosainkunda lake you may catch a bus to Trisuli, then to Dhunche (1966 meters) and walk two days almost constantly uphill in order to gain the 2400 meters altitude ( three days would afford better acclimatization). The trail is easy to follow-just move with the joyous crowed of Nepalese celebrants, and rest when they stop to watch the twiring,clanging Jhankris.

Stay the first night at Sing Gompa (at 3254 meters) where food and lodging are available but in high demand. It is wise to be self -sufficient in both shelter and food , and to keep a watchful eye on your belonging. The next day you will reach Gosainkunda. After the festival you may continue your trek over Laurebina pass (3901 meters) and down to Tharepati where a few shelters offer cover and food. From there you may turn east, heading steeply down to Melamchi Gaon and back to Kathmandu through Helambu proper; or head south down the ridge towards Gul Bhanjyang and Pati Bhanjyang and on to Sundarijal in the eastern Kathmandu Valley where you can catch a bus to the city. Food and lodging are available along both routes.

Mani Rimdu Festival
Type of festival Buddhist culture (Mani Rimdu)
Location: Tyangboche monastery (Khumbu area)
Date of festival 5-8 November

Manirimdu is considered as one of the important of the Sherpas of Nepal Himalayan region. This is observed in the month of October or November. In solu this is observed at Chiwang monastery located at an altitude of approximately 10,000 ft above the sea level. This monastery is situated at the top of the hill which takes about 2 hour walk from Phaplu, 4 hour walk from Junbesi and 3 days walk from jiri Manirimdu is a full scale of exorcism rite and mask dance like dumje . The term manirimduis derived from ' mani 'and ' rildum ' which means 'the practice of the mani pills'.However, on this festival, the 13 different dances are performed by the Lamas of the monastery. For this celebration, the Tibetan reincarnated Lama Thulsing Rimpoche of thubtenchholing monastery located north of Junbesi, is requested to preside the ceremony at Chiwang gomba. Majority of the monks of Thubtenchholing monastery participate on this festival. There can be seem crowd of people at Chiwang coming to observe the manirimdu festival.At this time, the sky looks blue, snowcapped mountain i.e.Mt Numbur (6,860m), and Mt Karyalung (6,721m), seems welcoming to the visitors. When this festival begins, the gompa is highly decorated with many ritual items and ingredients. The attendants come with beautiful dresses and ornaments. During the festival, the monks and the Lamas, according to the nature of ritual, seem invoking to the gods, grayer and recitation of hymns goes on; the drum beaters,cymbal players and the horns blowers also go through the Buddhist texts. The different puja is being performed and the different varieties of mask dances are also performed by the monks at the courtyard of the gompa. Altogether, thirteen different dances which symbolize the events, idea individuality, spirituality,nature, devils, bravery, mysticism, and reverence performed. Finally the blessing ceremony begins in which all the present attendants are wished a long spiritual life. This is followed by the acceptance of ritual offerings from the monks and the lay men. Then comes the mass distribution of pills and consecrated water for the longevity of the attendants. Thus this festival ends and the attendants will make a happy return from the monastery.