Chilā (
Nepal Bhasa: 𑐔𑐶𑐮𑐵, चिला) is the fifth month in the
Nepal Era calendar, the national
lunar calendar of
Nepal. The month coincides with
Phalguna (फागुन) in the
Hindu lunar calendar
The Hindu calendar, Panchanga () or Panjika is one of various lunisolar calendars that are traditionally used in the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia, with further regional variations for social and Hindu religious purposes. They adopt a s ...
and
March in the
Gregorian calendar.
Chilā begins with the
new moon
In astronomy, the new moon is the first lunar phase, when the Moon and Sun have the same ecliptic longitude. At this phase, the lunar disk is not visible to the naked eye, except when it is silhouetted against the Sun during a solar eclipse.
...
and the
full moon falls on the 15th of the
lunar month. The month is divided into the bright and dark fortnights which are known as Chilā Thwa (चिला थ्व) and Chilā Gā (चिला गा) respectively.
The major event that occurs during this month is
Holi, the festival of colors, which begins on the 8th day of the bright fortnight and climaxes on the full moon day. The Chir, a pole surmounted by an umbrella-like structure decorated with strips of colorful cloth, is erected at
Kathmandu Durbar Square to announce the festival.
The sacred bathing ceremony of the deity Nālā Karunāmaya, the
Bodhisattva of Compassion, is held on the 1st day of the dark fortnight at
Nālā. The chariot procession of Nālā Karunamaya is held on the 3rd day.
The festival of
Pahan Charhe, one of the most important religious celebrations in
Kathmandu, starts on the 14th day of the dark fortnight. Ghode Jātrā, the horse racing festival, is held the next day at the open ground of
Tundikhel.
Days in the month
Months of the year
References
{{reflist
Months
Nepali calendar
Nepalese culture