Nepal is a land of festivals, with a vibrant mix of cultural and religious celebrations that reflect its diverse heritage. From grand Hindu festivals to unique Buddhist and Indigenous celebrations, Nepal's festival calendar is packed with colours, traditions, and joy. Here are ten of the most popular festivals celebrated in Nepal:
1. Dashain (Vijaya Dashami)
Dashain, also known as Vijaya Dashami, is Nepal's longest and most significant festival. Celebrated with great enthusiasm by Hindus across Nepal and neighbouring regions such as India, Bhutan, and Myanmar, Dashain symbolises the victory of good over evil, as Goddess Durga defeated the demon Mahishasura. The festival usually falls in September or October, following the lunar calendar, and lasts for 15 days.
This grand festival brings families together, strengthens social bonds, and fills the air with joy, laughter, and devotion. Families reunite, elders offer tika and blessings, and people enjoy feasts, kite-flying, and swings.
Ghatasthapana (Seed Sowing Ritual): On the first day, a sacred pot (ghat) is placed in a prayer room, and barley seeds are sown in a sand-filled vessel. This is the beginning of the Dashain festival, and the sprouting seedlings (jamara) are worshipped and used later in the celebration.
Vijaya Dashami (The Main Day): On this day(day 10), elders apply tika (a mixture of yoghurt, rice, and vermillion) and jamara on the foreheads of younger family members, blessing them with health, prosperity, and success. Family gatherings, feasts, and celebrations mark this day as one of the most joyous occasions in Nepali culture.
2. Tihar (Deepawali): The Festival of Lights and Celebrate
Tihar, also known as Deepawali and the festival of lights, is one of the most significant festivals in Nepal, celebrated with great enthusiasm and devotion. This five-day festival, which usually falls in October or November, is dedicated to honouring animals like crows, dogs, cows, and oxen. On Laxmi Puja, houses are illuminated with oil lamps, and sisters celebrate Bhai Tika to bless their brothers with long life and prosperity.
The festival begins with Kaag Tihar, where crows are worshipped and offered food. Crows are considered messengers of Yama, the god of death, and feeding them is believed to bring good fortune.
On the second day, dogs are honoured for their loyalty and protection. They are adorned with garlands, given tika, and fed delicious treats. Dogs hold a special place in Hindu culture, symbolizing faithfulness and guardianship.
The third day is dedicated to cows and the goddess Laxmi. In the morning, cows are worshipped as symbols of prosperity and motherhood. In the evening, houses are decorated with oil lamps, rangoli (colourful patterns), and candles to invite Goddess Laxmi, the deity of wealth, into homes. Families perform rituals, sing Deusi-Bhailo songs, and exchange sweets and blessings.
This day is marked by Govardhan Puja, where oxen are worshipped for their role in agriculture. Some communities celebrate Mha Puja, a Newar tradition that focuses on self-worship and purification, symbolizing inner strength and well-being.
The final day of Tihar, Bhai Tika, is a celebration of the bond between brothers and sisters. Sisters apply a multi-coloured tika on their brothers' foreheads, pray for their long life and prosperity, and exchange gifts. In return, brothers present gifts and blessings to their sisters
3. Holi (Fagu Purnima): The Festival of Colors and Joy
Holi, often called the "Festival of Colors," is one of the most vibrant and joyous festivals celebrated primarily in India and Nepal. Marking the arrival of spring, Holi signifies the triumph of good over evil and fosters a sense of unity and togetherness among people. People smear each other with coloured powders, splash water, and enjoy music and dancing.
The festival is rooted in Hindu mythology, with one of the most popular legends being that of Prahlad and Holika. Prahlad, a devoted follower of Lord Vishnu, was saved from his evil father, King Hiranyakashipu, by divine intervention. Holika, the king’s sister, perished in the fire while trying to kill Prahlad. This event is commemorated through the ritual of Holika Dahan, where bonfires are lit on the eve of Holi.
Holi is celebrated with great enthusiasm across various regions. The day begins with people gathering in open spaces, smearing each other with colours, and drenching in water. Traditional sweets like gujiya and thandai (a special drink) add to the festive spirit. Music, dance, and joyous gatherings make Holi a memorable experience.
4. Maha Shivaratri: A Night of Devotion and Spiritual Significance
Maha Shivaratri, known as the "Great Night of Shiva," is a significant Hindu festival devoted to Lord Shiva. It is typically observed on the 13th night and 14th day of the lunar month of Phalguna, which falls in February or March. This sacred occasion carries deep spiritual meaning for millions of devotees, who engage in fasting, prayers, and night-long wakes to seek divine blessings.
Maha Shivaratri represents the eternal struggle between light and darkness. According to Hindu mythology, it marks the night when Lord Shiva performed the cosmic dance. Devotees believe sincere observance can cleanse sins, promote spiritual growth, and bring Shiva's blessings.
On Maha Shivaratri, devotees honour Lord Shiva through fasting, prayers, mantra chanting, and "abhishekam" to the Shiva Lingam. They recite "Om Namah Shivaya" for spiritual purification and spend the night in prayer and meditation. Shiva temples are adorned with lights and flowers, creating a deeply devotional atmosphere.
Fasting is a key part of Maha Shivaratri, with devotees abstaining from food and consuming only water or fruits. It is believed to purify the body and mind, aiding spiritual focus. Many also stay awake, praying, singing bhajans, or meditating to connect with Shiva's divine energy.
5. Buddha Jayanti: Celebrating the Birth, Enlightenment, and Nirvana of Lord Buddha
Buddha Jayanti, also known as Buddha Purnima, is one of the most significant festivals for Buddhists worldwide. It marks the birth, enlightenment (nirvana), and passing (Parinirvana) of Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism. This sacred occasion is observed on the full moon day of Baishakh(April–May), making it a spiritually significant and auspicious event. Devotees visit Lumbini (Buddha’s birthplace) and monasteries, light lamps, and perform prayers to honour his teachings of peace and wisdom.
Buddha Jayanti is a day of deep spiritual reflection, where followers of Buddhism and others remember Buddha's teachings on peace, non-violence, and compassion. It is a time to practice dana (charity), sila (morality), and Bhavana (meditation) as a way to honour Buddha’s path to enlightenment. In Nepal, Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha, witnesses grand celebrations with prayers, processions, and religious discourses.
6. Teej: The Festival of Women, Fasting, and Celebration
Teej is a widely celebrated Hindu festival, especially among women in Nepal and parts of India. This festival, dedicated to Goddess Parvati and her union with Lord Shiva, symbolizes love, devotion, and marital bliss. Teej generally falls in the monsoon season, between August and September, and is observed with immense enthusiasm and cultural significance.
Teej is a major festival for Hindu women, where they fast, pray for their husband’s long life, and celebrate with music and dance. Women wear red sarees, sing traditional songs, and visit temples, especially Pashupatinath in Kathmandu.
Teej is primarily a festival of women, where married and unmarried women observe fasting for the well-being and longevity of their husbands or future spouses. It is a time of spiritual devotion, prayer, and joy.
Teej is typically celebrated over three days, each carrying its importance:
Dar Khane Din (Feast Day): Women indulge in a grand feast before the fasting day. They wear vibrant red and green attire, apply henna, and dance to folk songs in lively gatherings with friends and family.
Fasting Day (Nirjala Vrat): Women observe a strict fast, often without water, and visit temples to offer prayers to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Devotees sing hymns, perform traditional dances, and seek blessings for a happy married life.
Rishi Panchami: The festival concludes with a ritual bath and prayers dedicated to the seven sages (Rishis) to seek forgiveness for any past sins. Women also perform cleansing rituals as part of their devotion.
In Nepal, Kathmandu’s Pashupatinath Temple has become the focal point, attracting thousands of devotees who gather to worship Lord Shiva. The festival is a vibrant display of faith, festivity, and deep-rooted traditions.
7. Indra Jatra: Kathmandu’s Grand Festival of Gods and Culture
Indra Jatra, one of Nepal’s most vibrant and culturally rich festivals, is celebrated with grandeur in Kathmandu Valley. This eight-day festival marks the worship of Indra, the god of rain and king of heaven, while also honouring deceased loved ones. It features masked dances, chariot processions of the Living Goddess Kumari, and offerings to Lord Indra, the god of rain. The festival is an important part of Newar culture. Indra Jatra festival falls in September.
Major Highlights of Indra Jatra are the festival begins with the raising of a sacred wooden pole at Kathmandu Durbar Square, symbolizing Indra’s presence. Kumari Jatra: The Living Goddess Kumari, along with the idols of Ganesh and Bhairav, is paraded through the city in an elaborately decorated chariot. Thousands of people gather to witness this sacred event. Masked Dances: Traditional masked dances, including the famous Lakhey dance (representing a protector demon) and the energetic Pulu Kisi dance (symbolizing Indra’s celestial elephant), fill the streets with excitement. Bhairav’s Sacred Beer: The massive idol of Aakash Bhairav at Indra Chowk is unveiled, and a sacred beverage flows from its mouth—believed to bring blessings to those who drink it. Lighting of Butter Lamps: The last day of Indra Jatra, called "Yenya Punhi," is marked by lighting lamps in memory of departed souls. Families pay tribute to their ancestors.
8. Gai Jatra: A Festival of Laughter and Remembrance
Gai Jatra, or the “Cow Festival,” one of Nepal’s most unique and culturally rich festivals, is celebrated primarily in the Kathmandu Valley by the Newar community. Observed in the month of Bhadra (August–September), this festival blends grief with humour while also serving as a platform for social and political satire. Gai Jatra is a unique Newar festival where families who have lost loved ones during the year parade decorated cows or children dressed as cows. The festival also includes humour, satire, and street performances.
The festival is marked by processions where participants, often dressed in elaborate costumes, walk through the streets leading a cow or a child dressed as one. In Kathmandu, Patan, and Bhaktapur, people engage in comic performances, street dramas, and satirical acts that criticize societal issues, government policies, and even local events. Media houses and comedians also take this opportunity to present satirical content, making it a day of unrestricted expression.
Gai Jatra is more than just a procession; it is a day when people are encouraged to express their emotions freely. The festival promotes the idea that death is a natural cycle of life, and instead of mourning forever, one should remember the deceased with joy and celebration.
9. Chhath Festival: A Sacred Celebration of Sun Worship
Chhath Festival is one of the most revered Hindu festivals, Mainly observed by the Terai region’s people, Chhath Puja is dedicated to the worship of the Sun God (Surya) and his consort Usha, expressing gratitude for sustaining life on Earth. Devotees gather near rivers and ponds to offer prayers at sunrise and sunset, seeking health, prosperity, and happiness.
Chhath Puja is unique because it does not involve idol worship. Instead, devotees offer prayers to the setting and rising sun, seeking blessings for prosperity, well-being, and happiness. The festival spans four days, each marked by strict rituals and fasting:
Nahay Khay (Day 1): Devotees purify themselves by bathing in a holy river or pond and preparing a satvik (pure) meal.
Kharna (Day 2): A rigorous fast is observed throughout the day, ending with a meal of jaggery-based kheer, chapati, and fruits.
Sandhya Arghya (Day 3): Worshippers gather at riverbanks to offer prayers and milk-based offerings to the setting sun.
Usha Arghya (Day 4): The final day involves offering prayers to the rising sun, marking the end of the festival.
10. Janai Purnima & Raksha Bandhan: A Celebration of Bond and Protection
Janai Purnima, also known as Raksha Bandhan in many parts of the world, is a cherished festival in Nepal. Janai Purnima is celebrated on the full moon day of the Nepali month of Shrawan, which generally falls in August. It holds great significance for Hindus in Nepal, Hindu men change their sacred thread (janai), while Raksha Bandhan involves sisters tying protective threads (rakhi) on their brother’s wrists on this day. Young boys receive a Janai (a holy thread) around their torso, symbolizing their initiation into adulthood and their responsibility toward family and society. It is a festival of sibling love and spiritual renewal.
Both Janai Purnima and Raksha Bandhan revolve around the themes of protection and strengthening bonds. While Janai Purnima symbolizes a rite of passage and personal growth, Raksha Bandhan emphasizes the commitment to protection and the nurturing of relationships between brothers and sisters.
Final Thoughts
Nepal’s festivals are deeply rooted in traditions, faith, and community bonding. Each festival carries a unique significance and showcases the rich cultural diversity of the country. Whether you're a local or a visitor, experiencing these celebrations will give you a deeper appreciation of Nepal’s heritage and traditions.
