Festivals of Nepal

Nepal is known for its diverse cultural and religious traditions, and festivals play an important role in Nepali culture. Throughout the year, Nepalis celebrate a wide variety of festivals, ranging from religious festivals to cultural celebrations.

Here are the festivals celebrated in Nepal:

• Dashain: Dashain is the biggest festival in Nepal, celebrated in late September or early October. It is a 15-day festival that celebrates the victory of good over evil. During Dashain, Nepalis offer animal sacrifices and perform puja to the goddess Durga.


• Tihar: Tihar, also known as the festival of lights, is celebrated in late October or early November. It is a five-day festival that celebrates the relationship between humans and animals.


• Holi: Holi, also known as the festival of colors, is celebrated in March or April. It is a Hindu festival that celebrates the victory of good over evil. During Holi, Nepalis throw colored powder and water at each other, and eat special foods and sweets.


• Buddha Jayanti: Buddha Jayanti is a Buddhist festival that celebrates the birth, enlightenment, and death of the Buddha. It is celebrated in May or June, and is an important festival for Nepali Buddhists.


• Teej: Teej is a festival celebrated by women, usually in August or September. It is a three-day festival that celebrates the bond between husband and wife. During Teej, women fast and pray for the long life and prosperity of their husbands.


• Chhath: Chhath Puja is a Hindu festival celebrated by people from the Terai region of Nepal. It is celebrated in October or November, and is a time for devotees to offer prayers to the sun god, Surya, and his consort, Chhathi Maiya.


• Maghe Sankranti: Maghe Sankranti is a Hindu festival that marks the beginning of the Nepali month of Magh. It is celebrated in January, and is a time to bathe in holy rivers and eat special foods like laddus and ghee.


• Janai Purnima: Janai Purnima is a Hindu festival celebrated in August, and is also known as "Rakshya Bandhan" or "Rishitarpani". During this festival, Hindu men change their "janai" or sacred thread, and offer puja to Lord Shiva.


• Shree Krishna Janmashtami: Shree Krishna Janmashtami is a Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna. It is celebrated in August or September, and is a time for devotees to fast and offer puja to Lord Krishna.


• Gai Jatra: Gai Jatra is a festival celebrated in the Kathmandu Valley, and is a time to remember loved ones who have passed away. During Gai Jatra, people dress up in costumes and parade through the streets with cows, which are considered to be holy animals.


• Indra Jatra: Indra Jatra is a festival celebrated in Kathmandu to honor Lord Indra, the king of the gods. It is celebrated in September, and includes parades, dances, and other cultural events.


• Losar: Losar is a Tibetan festival celebrated in February, and marks the beginning of the Tibetan New Year. It is a time for families to come together and celebrate with special foods, drinks, and prayers.


• Mani Rimdu: Mani Rimdu is a Buddhist festival celebrated by the Sherpa community in the Khumbu region of Nepal. It is celebrated in October or November, and includes traditional dances, prayers, and offerings to the gods.


• Shiva Ratri: Shiva Ratri is a Hindu festival celebrated in honor of Lord Shiva. It is celebrated in February or March, and is a time for devotees to fast, offer prayers, and stay awake all night in order to gain the blessings of Lord Shiva.


• Bisket Jatra: A New Year festival celebrated in Bhaktapur, known for pulling chariots of deities through the streets. The festival also features a unique tradition of throwing vermilion powder and other items at each other, symbolizing the victory of good over evil.


• Bajra Jogini Jatra: A festival dedicated to the goddess Bajra Jogini, celebrated in Sankhu. Devotees offer prayers and perform various rituals, including animal sacrifice, to appease the goddess.


• Siti Jatra: A festival celebrated by the Newar community, featuring a procession of a palanquin with a goddess statue. The festival is believed to bring good luck and prosperity to the community.


• Gatha Mu Ga: This festival refers to the celebration with expulsion of a demon from Nepal, and is celebrated by the Newars with a straw figure that is beaten and dragged around the streets.


• Pancha Dan: The Banras, the priests of Newar Buddhists, visit every house and receive a small offering of grain or rice as a way to honor their ancestors who were not permitted to trade.


• Nag Panchami: Celebrated to welcome other festivals in Nepal, this festival is dedicated to the worship of snakes, and is believed to bring good luck to those who participate.


• Kushe Aunsi: This Hindu lunar festival is similar to Father's Day, and is dedicated to the celebration of fatherhood and paternal bonds.


• Guru Purnima: Celebrated by both Hindus, this festival is dedicated to teachers who have guided and taught us. It is a day to express gratitude and respect towards them.


• Bagh Jatra: Taking place on the 2nd day of Bhadon, this festival used to involve dancers dressed in tiger costumes, but has now become a repetition of the Gai Jatra festival.


• Matatirtha Aunsi:Similar to Mother's Day, this Hindu lunar festival celebrates motherhood and maternal bonds.


• Bala Chaturdasi: People gather in the forest of Mrigasthali, near the temple of Pashupati, to scatter offerings of rice, vegetables, and sweetmeats.


• Ganesh Chaturthi: This festival is held in honor of Lord Ganesh, the god of wisdom, and is spent fasting and worshipping before feasting into the night.


• Kartik Purnima : On the first day of the month of Kartik, many women go to the temple of Pashupati to fast and drink only water for an entire month.


• Maghe Sankranti: A festival celebrated by Nepali and Indian communities, marking the beginning of the month of Magh in the lunar calendar. The festival is marked by the taking of ritual baths, and offerings of food are made to the gods and goddesses.


• Sri Panchami: A festival celebrated in honor of the goddess Saraswati, who is the deity of knowledge, music, and art. The festival is marked by the wearing of yellow clothes and offerings of books and pens to the goddess.


• Ghode Jatra: This festival is a horse racing event held in Kathmandu, during which the Nepalese army displays their cavalry skills. The festival is also believed to ward off evil spirits and is celebrated by a variety of cultural activities.


• Christmas: This festival is celebrated by the Newars of Kathmandu Valley to honor the goddess of wealth and prosperity. It involves the making and sharing of a special sweet pastry called Yomari, which is made of rice flour and filled with molasses and sesame seeds.


• Christmas: This is a religious holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. It is observed by Christians worldwide and typically involves gift-giving, caroling, and attending church services.


• Eid al-Fitr: This festival marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting. It is celebrated by prayers, feasting, and giving of gifts to the less fortunate.