Nepal’s Vibrant Festivals Reflect Cultural Diversity

Nepal’s calendar is crowded with festivals that reflect the country’s mix of languages, faiths, and regional traditions. From Hindu and Buddhist observances to Muslim and Christian holidays, communities mark the seasons with family rites, temple visits, music, dance, and public processions. Many dates vary by the lunar calendar, but customs remain consistent year to year. Background details are drawn from Nepal Parichaya (An Introduction to Nepal).

Dashain

Nepal’s largest festival spans ten days beginning with the bright half of Asoj. Families receive blessings, place tika on the forehead, wear jamara, and visit elders. Homes and temples honor forms of the Goddess for nine nights, with Phulpati and other rituals observed, according to the guide.

Tihar (Yamapanchak)

The five-day festival starts on the 13th day of Kartik’s dark fortnight. Families honor crows, dogs, cows, and the goddess Lakshmi on successive days. Sisters place tika on brothers and pray for their long life. Evenings fill with Deusi-Bhailo songs.

Ghode Jatra

In Kathmandu, the “horse festival” is held around the Chait new moon at Tundikhel, featuring cavalry displays and racing that symbolize discipline and speed.

Gaijatra

Beginning the day after Janai Purnima in Bhadau, communities commemorate the departed with masked dances, street pageants, and satire. Tradition traces the festival to King Pratap Malla’s attempt to console a grieving queen.

Maha Shivaratri

Observed on the 14th day of Phagun’s dark half, devotees throng temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, especially Pashupatinath in Kathmandu. Nepal also marks Army Day on this date.

Teej

Held on the third day of Bhadau’s dark fortnight, Teej is a major women’s festival of fasting, prayer, and song focused on marital well-being.

Buddha Jayanti

On the full moon of Baishakh, Buddhists mark the birth, enlightenment, and nirvana of the Buddha with pilgrimages to monasteries and stupas such as Boudhanath.

Lhosar

Sherpa, Gurung, Thakali, Magar, and other communities celebrate New Year by the Tibetan calendar (around Magh). Sonam, Tamu, and Gyalpo Lhosar include dance, feasts, and a 12-year animal cycle.

Janai Purnima (Rishi Tarpani)

On the Shrawan full moon, Hindus change the sacred thread and tie rakshyabandhan cords. Many households cook kwati—nine-bean sprout stew. In the Terai, sisters tie rakhi on brothers’ wrists.

Chaite Dashain

Often called the “small Dashain,” it falls on Chait Shukla Ashtami and features regional rituals; the season also coincides with the Machhindranath chariot period in the Valley.

Shree Panchami (Basanta Panchami)

The fifth day of Magh’s bright half marks spring’s start and worship of Saraswati, goddess of learning. A traditional Basanta audience is held at Hanumandhoka.

Udhauli & Ubhauli (Rai)

Rai communities celebrate Ubhauli in Baishakh/Jeth (planting) and Udhauli in Kartik/Mangsir (harvest), with Sakela/Chandi dances, priestly rites, and ancestor honors.

Jur Sital (Maithili New Year)

Observed on Baishakh 2 in Maithil communities, families share meals, exchange blessings with cool-water rituals, and hold neighborhood festivities.

Biska Jatra (Bhaktapur)

Straddling late Chait into New Year’s Day, Bhaktapur’s chariot pulls for Bhairab and tongue-piercing rites draw large crowds.

Eid

Muslims in Nepal celebrate Eid after Ramadan with prayers, charity (zakat), and family gatherings.

Sithi Nakha (Kumar Shasti)

Newar communities clean wells and water sources in Jeth, worship Kartikeya, and hold processions that mark the start of the farming season.

Gaura Parba

In the mid- and far-west, women collectively worship Shiva-Parvati and Ganesh over three days in Bhadau, with fasting, songs, and local rites.

Chasok Tangnam (Limbu)

A harvest festival in Kartik, families offer first fruits before eating, and celebrate with Yalang (Dhan Naach), Chyabrung drums, and song.

Pata Mela

Satar/Santhali communities in Jhapa and across the border gather for worship, cultural programs, and dance.

Siruwa Parwa (Rajbanshi)

Rajbanshi families in the eastern Terai honor deities, exchange color play, and hang garlic and onions per tradition; green leafy dishes are customary.

Seto Machhindranath Jatra

A chariot procession for the white Machhindranath (Avalokiteshvara) rolls in Chait/Baishakh after ritual bathing of the deity.

Rato Machhindranath Jatra

The red Machhindranath procession runs from Pulchowk through Lalitpur for about a month, concluding at Jawalakhel with the Bhoto display.

Pendiya (Tharu)

Tharu communities mark the first grains brought from the threshing floor (khalihan) with special prayers.

Gadhimai Mela

Held every five years in Bara’s Bariyarpur, the fair draws large pilgrim crowds and includes traditional animal sacrifices.

Gunla Dharma (Newar Buddhist Month)

From Shrawan’s bright fortnight for a month, devotees visit monasteries, observe Pancha Daan alms, process deities, and commemorate the departed on Atya/Matya days.

Tornalha (Thakali Ancestor Worship)

Around Phagu Purnima, Thakali households offer pinda and khimi to ancestors, with women leading dawn rites and families gathering for games and feasts.

Trahute Parwa (Gurung)

Gurung communities reenact communal defense with drums, blackened faces, and feathers, celebrating solidarity and harvest protection.

Saune Sankranti / Maghe Sankranti

Saune (Karkat) opens Shrawan with holy baths and warding rites; Maghe (Makar) opens Magh with pilgrimages and, in Nuwakot’s Taruka, bullfighting.

Ram Navami

The ninth day of Chait’s bright half honors Lord Ram with worship at Janakpur and Ram temples across Nepal and in Ayodhya.

Matatirtha Aunsi (Mother’s Day)

On the Baishakh new moon, families honor mothers with offerings; those whose mothers have passed visit the Matatirtha shrine near Kathmandu.

Nag Panchami

Households paste images of serpent deities above doorways on Shrawan Shukla Panchami and perform protective rites.

Chhath Parva

In the eastern and mid-Terai, especially Janakpur, devotees fast and offer argha to the setting and rising sun on the 6th and 7th days of Kartik’s bright half.

Kuse Aunsi (Father’s Day)

On the Bhadau new moon, families prepare sacred kusha grass, honor fathers with meals, or make offerings in their name.

Holi (Phagu Purnima)

The spring festival of colors begins with the Chir pole raising in Kathmandu and concludes on the Phagun full moon in the hills (next day in the Terai).

Christmas

Christians across Nepal celebrate December 25 with church services and family gatherings.

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