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 and roughly aligns with March in the Gregorian calendar.
Chilā begins with the new moon 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
Thwa (थ्व) or Shukla Paksha(bright half) Gā (गा) or Krishna Paksha(dark half) 1. Pāru 1. Pāru 2. Dwitiyā 2. Dwitiyā 3. Tritiyā 3. Tritiyā 4. Chauthi 4. Chauthi 5. Panchami 5. Panchami 6. Khasti 6. Khasti 7. Saptami 7. Saptami 8. Ashtami 8. Ashtami 9. Navami 9. Navami 10. Dashami 10. Dashami 11. Ekādashi 11. Ekādashi 12. Dwādashi 12. Dwādashi 13. Trayodashi 13. Trayodashi 14. Chaturdashi 14. Charhe (चह्रे) 15. Punhi (पुन्हि) 15. Āmāi (आमाइ)
Months of the year Devanagari script Roman script Corresponding Gregorian month Name of Full Moon 1. कछला KachhalāNovemberSaki Milā Punhi, Kārtik Purnimā2. थिंलाThinlāDecemberYomari Punhi, Dhānya Purnimā3. पोहेला PohelāJanuaryMilā Punhi, Paush Purnimā4. सिल्लाSillāFebruarySi Punhi, Māghi Purnimā5. चिल्लाChilāMarchHoli Punhi, Phāgu Purnimā6. चौला ChaulāAprilLhuti Punhi, Bālāju Purnimā7. बछला BachhalāMaySwānyā Punhi, Baisākh Purnimā8. तछला Tachhalā JuneJyā Punhi, Gaidu Purnimā9. दिल्लाDillāJulyDillā Punhi, Guru Purnimā10. गुंलाGunlā AugustGun Punhi, Janāi Purnimā (Raksha Bandhan)11. ञला YanlāSeptemberYenyā Punhi, Bhādra Purnimā12. कौला KaulāOctoberKatin Punhi, Kojāgrat Purnimā
References