Major Festivals of Nepal: Culture, Dates & Celebrations Guide

A Cultural Celebration Guide by Asian Adventure Treks & Expedition

Nepal is not only a land of majestic Himalayas and legendary trekking trails, but also a country rich in vibrant traditions, spirituality, and year-round festivals. With over 120 different ethnic groups and diverse religions, Nepal celebrates festivals almost every month with great enthusiasm.

If you are planning your trip with Asian Adventure Treks & Expedition, timing your visit during a major festival can turn your holiday into a truly unforgettable cultural journey.

Below are some of the most significant cultural festivals of Nepal, their history, traditions, and why they matter.

Dashain – The Festival of Victory

Month: September – October (Ashwin/Kartik)

Dashain is the biggest and longest one of the most important Hindu festivals, celebrated in Nepal. The festival symbolizes victory of Goddess Durga over evil. In this festival families reunite, elders give tika (red vermillion) and jamara (barley grass) to younger members, and people enjoy festive meals.

It is the best time to experience Nepali family traditions and rural celebrations.

Traditions:

• Elders give tika (red vermillion mixed with rice and yogurt) and jamara (barley grass) as blessings.
• Families reunite from across the country and abroad.
• Animal sacrifices are performed in temples as a symbol of power and protection.

Travel Experience:

• Experience authentic Nepali family traditions.
• Rural villages come alive with bamboo swings and festive gatherings.
• Perfect time (Autumn) to combine with trekking in Everest, Annapurna, Kanchenjunga, Mustang or Langtang as the weather is crystal clear.

Tihar – The Festival of Lights

Month: October – November (Kartik / Mangsir)

Tihar, also known as Deepawali, is the second biggest festival dedicated to animals and Goddess Laxmi. Each day honors different beings such as crows, dogs, cows, and brothers (Bhai Tika). Homes are decorated with oil lamps and colorful rangoli designs.The final day, Bhai Tika, celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters.

This festival beautifully shows Nepal’s respect for animals and family bonds.

Traditions:

• Crow Day, Dog Day, Cow Day rituals.
• Worship of Goddess Laxmi for wealth.
• Bhai Tika ceremony honouring brothers and sisters.
• Homes decorated with oil lamps and colourful rangoli.

Travel Experience:

• The city glows with oil lamps and decorations.
• Deusi - Bhailo traditional songs in the evenings.
• Magical photography opportunities at heritage sites.
• Kathmandu Valley glows with lights — a magical time for cultural tours.
• Perfect time (Autumn) for Kathmandu Valley Heritage Tour, Nepal Cultural Tour, Annapurna Circuit Trek, Ghorepani – Poonhill Trek and so on..

Buddha Jayanti – Birth of Lord Buddha

Month: April – May (Baisakh)

Buddha Jayanti celebrates the birth of Gautama Buddha in Lumbini. Devotees visit monasteries, offer prayers, and promote peace messages.

Celebration of the birth, enlightenment, and death of Lord Buddha. Major celebrations take place in Lumbini and Buddhist sites.

Traditions:

• Celebration of the birth, enlightenment, and death of Lord Buddha.
• Prayers and butter lamp offerings at Boudhanath Stupa, Swayambhunath and Lumbini.

Travel Experience:

• Visit Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddhafor grand ceremonies and peaceful meditation experiences.
• Grand ceremonies at Boudhanath Stupa and Swayambhunath.
• Spiritual retreats and meditation experiences.
• Best combined with: Lumbini tour, Buddhist Pilgrimage tour, Himalayan treks to Annapurna, Everest, Kanchenjunga, Makalu, Mustang and so on..

Teej - Women’s Festival of Devotion

Month: August – September

Teej is observed by women who fast and pray for marital happiness and family well-being. The festival is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Women fast for marital happiness and gather in red sarees, sing devotional songs, and dance dance joyfully in temple and homes.

Traditions:

• Fasting for marital happiness and family well-being.
• Women dressed in red saris singing and dancing in temples.
• Grand gathering at Pashupatinath Temple.

Travel Experience:

• Colourful scenes at Pashupatinath Temple.
• Unique insight into Nepali women’s culture.
• Excellent cultural photography opportunity.
• Best Combined With: Nepal Cultural Tour, Upper Mustang Tour, Dolpo Trekking and so on..

Holi (Fagu Purnima) - Festival of Colours

Month: February – March

Holi marks the arrival of spring and the victory of good over evil. The festival is celebrated with vibrant colours, music, and water balloons. It marks the victory of good over evil and welcomes spring.

Traditions:

• Playing with coloured powders and water.
• Music, dancing, and joyful street celebrations.
• Festival of colours celebrating love and the arrival of spring.

Travel Experience:

• Celebrate with locals in Kathmandu and Pokhara.
• Fun, vibrant atmosphere.
• Perfect for young travellers and group tours.
• Best Combined With: Short Annapurna Trek, Chitwan Jungle Safari, Nepal Cultural Tours, Langtang Region Treks, Upper Mustang Tours and so on..

Maha Shivaratri - The Night of Lord Shiva

Month: February – March

Maha Shivaratri is celebrated especially at Pashupatinath Temple, one of the most sacred Hindu temples. Thousands of devotees gather to worship Lord Shiva.Devotees visit monasteries, offer prayers, and promote peace messages.

Traditions:

• All-night vigils and prayers.
• Pilgrims and sadhus gathering at Pashupatinath.

Travel Experience:

• Witness holy rituals and fire ceremonies.
• Experience spiritual Nepal at its deepest level.
• Unique photography of sadhus and pilgrims.
• Best Combined With: Kathmandu Pilgrimage Tour & Spiritual Retreat Package

Indra Jatra - Kathmandu’s Living Heritage

Month: September

Indra Jatra is a traditional Newar festival celebrated in Kathmandu Durbar Square. It includes chariot processions of the Living Goddess Kumari and masked dances.

Traditions:

• Masked dances at Kathmandu Durbar Square.
• Chariot procession of the Living Goddess Kumari.

Travel Experience:

• Traditional masked dances in Kathmandu Durbar Square.
• Living Goddess Kumari’s chariot procession.
• Experience ancient Newari culture.
• Best Combined With: Kathmandu Valley Cultural Tour & Nepal Tour packages and so on..

Maghe Sankranti - Harvest Celebration

Month: January

Maghe Sankranti marks the beginning of the month of Magh. Families eat traditional foods like sesame sweets, yam, and ghee. The festival marks the winter solstice and the beginning of warmer days. Celebrated with special foods like sesame sweets and yam.

Traditions:

• Holy baths in sacred rivers.
• Eating sesame sweets, yam, and ghee.

Travel Experience:

• Visit riverbanks like Devghat for holy dips.
• Quiet and peaceful winter travel experience.
• Ideal for lower-altitude treks.
• Best Combined With: Chitwan Tour | Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek and so on..

Gai Jatra – Festival of Cows

Month: August

Gai Jatra is celebrated mainly in the Kathmandu Valley. Families who lost loved ones join processions to honour the departed souls. This is the festival of cows honouring family members who passed away during the year. Celebrated mainly in Kathmandu Valley.

Traditions:

• Processions with cows or children dressed as cows.
• Satirical performances and humor in public streets.

Travel Experience:

• Traditional satirical street performances.
• Unique Newari cultural rituals.
• Authentic urban festival experience.
• This can be best Combined with: Kathmandu Heritage Walk | Bhaktapur Day Tour and so on.

Chhath 

Month: October–November

Celebrated mainly in the Terai region, Chhath honors the Sun God. Devotees offer prayers near rivers and ponds during sunrise and sunset. This is a major festival of the Terai region dedicated to the Sun God. Devotees offer prayers at riverbanks during sunrise and sunset.

Traditions:

• Devotees stand in rivers offering prayers to the setting and rising sun.
• Strict fasting and ritual purity.

Travel Experience:

• Experience cultural diversity in southern Nepal.
• Stunning sunrise rituals along rivers.
• Combine with Lumbini or Janakpur tour.
• Best Combined With: Lumbini Tour | Janakpur Cultural Tour and so on..

Losar (Tibetan New Year)

Month: February – March (varies by community)

Traditions:

• Monastery prayers.
• Traditional dances and feasts.

Travel Experience:

• Monasteries decorated with prayer flags.
• Traditional dances and rituals in mountain regions.
• Ideal time for Everest and Langtang region visits.
• Best Combined With: Everest Trek | Langtang Valley Trek | Upper Mustang Tour and so on..