Birthday Rituals Nepal

A certain mixture of rice yogurt and color is placed on the birthday child’s forehead for good luck.Instead of candles oil lamps (Sukunda) are burnt. One as an offer to Ganesha, the other one for good luck for the birthday child. But don’t go and blow them out, this will bring bad luck! Usually in the morning the birthday child will visit the temple to pray. Presents to the birthday child are “Sagun”: a boiled and fried egg, dried fish and yoghurt, which are a blessing for good start. If you receive a present, however, it is quite insulting to open it directly – keep it and do not open it in front of other people! Most people will rather give than receive something on their birthday. They will for example give small presents to a children home or a delicious free lunch for an old people’s home, monks or sadhus at their birthday. Usually this day is a family celebration in Nepal, it is less common to invite all your friends over for a big party.