Festivals of Nepal: A Traveller's Guide to Dashain, Tihar, Holi and More

It is often said that in Nepal, there are more festivals than days in the year. With dozens of ethnic groups, Hindu and Buddhist traditions intertwined, and a calendar full of harvest celebrations, chariot processions, masked dances and family rituals, there is almost always something happening somewhere. Landing in the middle of a festival can make a trip: the colour, music, food and devotion show you a side of Nepal you won't see otherwise.

Below are the main festivals, what happens and where to see them, and how they affect travel, from closed offices to packed buses. Our team celebrates these festivals with our families every year, and we love sharing them with our guests.

Understanding Nepal's calendars

Nepal's official calendar is the Bikram Sambat, which is about 56–57 years ahead of the Gregorian calendar; 2026 corresponds roughly to 2082–2083 BS, and the Nepali New Year falls in mid-April. Most religious festivals follow the lunar calendar, which means their dates move each year in the Western calendar, usually within a range of a few weeks. Tibetan and Sherpa festivals follow the Tibetan lunar calendar. Always check the exact dates for the year of your visit.

Festival calendar at a glance

Dashain: Nepal's greatest festival

Dashain is the longest and most important festival in Nepal, lasting fifteen days in September or October. It celebrates the victory of the goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura, symbolising the triumph of good over evil. For Nepalis, it is above all a time for family: people travel from all over the country and abroad to return to their home villages, and offices, schools and many businesses close for a week or more.

The festival begins with Ghatasthapana, when barley seeds are planted in a sacred vessel to grow into jamara, yellow shoots used in blessings. On the seventh day, Fulpati, sacred flowers and leaves are carried from Gorkha to Kathmandu. The eighth and ninth days, Maha Asthami and Maha Navami, see animal sacrifices at temples such as Dakshinkali and in homes, a practice that can be confronting for visitors. The tenth day, Vijaya Dashami, is the heart of the festival: elders place a mixture of rice, yoghurt and red vermilion (tika) on the foreheads of younger family members, along with jamara, and give blessings and small amounts of money. Families feast, visit relatives for days, and children fly kites and play on giant bamboo swings (ping) built in villages.

Travelling during Dashain

Dashain falls at the start of the main autumn trekking season. Buses and domestic flights are extremely busy as people travel home, and prices rise. Offices, including government permit offices, may close for several days. Shops and restaurants in tourist areas usually stay open, and treks continue as normal, but plan transport and permits well in advance. It's a good time to see Nepali family life up close. If a guide or friend invites you to receive tika, take it: it's an honour.

Tihar: the festival of lights

Tihar, also known as Deepawali or Yamapanchak, is a five-day festival in October or November, about two weeks after Dashain. It honours Yama, the god of death, and Laxmi, the goddess of wealth, and each day is dedicated to a different animal or relationship:

• Kag Tihar: crows, messengers of Yama, are fed.
• Kukur Tihar: dogs are honoured with garlands, tika and treats, one of the most charming sights in Nepal.
• Gai Tihar and Laxmi Puja: cows are worshipped in the morning; in the evening, homes are cleaned, decorated with oil lamps, candles and marigold garlands, and Laxmi is invited in. Groups of children and adults go from house to house singing bhailo and deusi songs.
• Govardhan Puja and Mha Puja: oxen are honoured, and the Newar community celebrates Mha Puja, a ritual worship of one's own body and soul, marking the Newari New Year (Nepal Sambat).
• Bhai Tika: sisters place a seven-coloured tika on their brothers' foreheads and pray for their long life, giving garlands of marigold and globe amaranth; brothers give gifts in return.

Tihar is beautiful for visitors: cities glow with lights at night, streets are decorated with colourful mandalas (rangoli) and flower garlands, and the atmosphere is joyful. Like Dashain, transport is busy and some offices close.

Holi: the festival of colours

Holi, or Fagu Purnima, falls on the full moon in late February or March and celebrates the arrival of spring and the triumph of good over evil. People throw coloured powder and water at each other in the streets, sing and dance. In the hill regions, including Kathmandu and Pokhara, it is celebrated a day before the Terai. Thamel and Basantapur in Kathmandu and Lakeside in Pokhara become huge colour parties. Wear old clothes, protect your phone and camera, and be aware that water balloons are thrown in the days before Holi too.

Losar: Tibetan and Sherpa New Year

Losar marks the New Year in the Tibetan calendar. Gyalpo Losar, celebrated by Sherpa and Tibetan communities, usually falls in February or March, and Sonam Losar, celebrated by Tamang people, in January or February. Tamu Losar, the Gurung New Year, is on 30 December. The best places to experience Losar are Boudhanath and Swayambhunath in Kathmandu, where families in traditional dress gather, monks perform rituals and dances, and new prayer flags are raised. In the Khumbu and other mountain regions, villages celebrate with feasts, dancing and archery contests.

Indra Jatra and the Kumari

Indra Jatra is Kathmandu's biggest street festival, held over eight days in September at the end of the monsoon. It honours Indra, the god of rain, and begins with the raising of a tall wooden pole (lingo) in Kathmandu Durbar Square. Masked dancers representing gods and demons, including the terrifying Lakhe, perform in the streets. The highlight is Kumari Jatra, when the Kumari, the living goddess, is carried through the old city in a chariot with Ganesh and Bhairav, and blesses the head of state. It's the one time you're likely to see the Kumari out in the streets, and the old city's Newar traditions in full swing.

Bisket Jatra: New Year in Bhaktapur

In mid-April, Bhaktapur celebrates the Nepali New Year with Bisket Jatra, a week-long festival. Huge wooden chariots carrying the gods Bhairav and Bhadrakali are pulled through the narrow streets by crowds of young men, with the two halves of the town competing in a tug of war. A tall wooden pole (lingo) is raised and then pulled down, marking the start of the new year. It is energetic, loud and thrilling, and Bhaktapur's streets are packed.

Buddha Jayanti

Buddha Jayanti, on the full moon of Baisakh (April or May), celebrates the birth, enlightenment and death of the Buddha. Lumbini, the birthplace of the Buddha, hosts large gatherings of pilgrims, and in Kathmandu, Swayambhunath and Boudhanath are decorated with lights and prayer flags, with processions and prayers. See our Lumbini tour.

Mani Rimdu: festival of the Sherpas

Mani Rimdu is a Sherpa Buddhist festival held at Tengboche Monastery in the Everest region, usually in October or November, and at Chiwong and Thame monasteries at other times of year. Over several days, monks perform ceremonies and colourful masked dances representing the victory of Buddhism over the ancient Bon religion and demons. If your trek passes Tengboche on the right days, you can watch the dances in the courtyard with Ama Dablam and Everest behind. If your Everest Base Camp trek coincides with Mani Rimdu, plan to spend time at Tengboche.

Tiji: the festival of Lo Manthang

The three-day Tiji festival in Lo Manthang, Upper Mustang, usually in May, celebrates the victory of the deity Dorje Jono over a demon who brought drought and disaster to the kingdom. Monks from Chode Monastery perform masked dances in the square in front of the royal palace, telling the story. Tiji alone is a good reason to plan an Upper Mustang trek in spring.

Teej: the women's festival

Teej is a Hindu festival for women, held in August or September. Women dress in red saris and gather to sing, dance and pray to Lord Shiva for the well-being of their husbands and families; unmarried women pray for a good husband. On the main day, many women fast without food or water. Pashupatinath Temple becomes a sea of red, with long lines of women waiting to worship, singing and dancing. It is a colourful and joyful sight.

Gai Jatra: the festival of cows

Gai Jatra is held in August in the Kathmandu Valley to commemorate those who have died in the past year. Families who have lost a loved one lead a cow, or a child dressed as a cow, through the streets. Over the centuries, the festival has also become a time for satire and humour, with people dressing up and performing comic sketches, a tradition said to have been started by a king to cheer his grieving queen.

Other festivals worth knowing

• Maha Shivaratri (February/March): thousands of sadhus and pilgrims gather at Pashupatinath to honour Lord Shiva, with bonfires and all-night celebrations.
• Ghode Jatra (March/April): horse races and parades at Tundikhel in Kathmandu.
• Rato Machhindranath Jatra (April–June): a huge, towering chariot is pulled through Patan over several weeks, ending with the display of a sacred jewelled vest (Bhoto Jatra).
• Janai Purnima (July/August): Hindu men change their sacred thread; pilgrims visit Gosainkunda lake and the Kumbheshwar temple in Patan.
• Chhath (October/November): women in the Terai offer prayers to the setting and rising sun at riversides and ponds.
• Yomari Punhi (December): Newar communities celebrate the harvest with yomari dumplings.

How festivals affect your travel

• Transport: buses and domestic flights are very busy before and after Dashain and Tihar. Book early.
• Offices: government offices, including permit offices, may close; allow extra time for restricted-area permits.
• Prices: hotel and transport prices may rise in popular areas.
• Treks: treks run normally, but guides and porters may prefer to spend key days with their families; good companies plan around this.
• Experience: festivals are a highlight; plan your itinerary to include one if you can.

Planning a trip around a festival

If you want to experience a particular festival, plan well ahead. First, check the exact dates for your year, as lunar festivals move by several weeks. Then book accommodation early, especially for festivals in small places such as Tengboche (Mani Rimdu) or Lo Manthang (Tiji), where lodges are limited. Allow extra time around Dashain and Tihar for transport and permits. For Indra Jatra, Bisket Jatra and Holi, stay close to the action, in Kathmandu's old city or Bhaktapur, and be prepared for crowds. A local guide can explain the meaning of rituals and help you find the best vantage points. Our team is happy to design itineraries around festivals; let us know which one interests you.

Festivals and trekking

Several festivals take place in trekking regions and can be combined with a trek. Mani Rimdu at Tengboche falls during the autumn Everest season, so many Everest Base Camp trekkers plan their itinerary to pass Tengboche on the main dance day. Tiji in Lo Manthang is the perfect focus for a spring Upper Mustang trek. Janai Purnima at Gosainkunda draws thousands of pilgrims to the sacred lakes in the monsoon, and trekkers on the Langtang Gosainkunda trek can join them. Losar brings celebrations to Sherpa villages such as Namche Bazaar and Khumjung in February, a quiet but beautiful time to trek in the lower Khumbu. Dashain and Tihar are celebrated in every village along the trails, and trekkers are often invited to join in.

Food at festivals

Every festival has its dishes. During Dashain, families feast on goat meat curries, beaten rice and sweets, and sel roti is made in huge quantities. Tihar brings sweets such as anarsa, laddu and barfi, and more sel roti. Maghe Sankranti in January is celebrated with sesame and molasses sweets (til ko laddu), sweet potatoes, yams and ghee. Yomari Punhi is named after the yomari dumpling. During Holi, people share sweets and drinks. If you are invited to a family celebration, you will be offered generous amounts of food; accepting is a sign of respect. Read our Nepali food guide for more.

Religious harmony in Nepal's festivals

One of the most striking things about Nepal's festivals is the way Hindu and Buddhist traditions intertwine. Buddhists join Hindu celebrations such as Dashain and Tihar, and Hindus visit Buddhist stupas during Buddha Jayanti and Losar. The Kumari, a living Hindu goddess, is chosen from a Buddhist Newar family. The Rato Machhindranath chariot festival in Patan honours a deity worshipped by both Hindus (as a form of Shiva or Vishnu) and Buddhists (as Avalokiteshvara). Hindus and Buddhists have lived side by side here for centuries, and many festivals are shared.

Photographing festivals respectfully

Festivals make great photos, but they are religious events first. Ask permission before photographing individuals, especially during prayers and rituals, and respect signs prohibiting photography inside temples. Do not use flash during ceremonies or in dark shrines. Avoid climbing on temples or statues for a better view, as some are sacred and fragile. During animal sacrifices or cremations, keep a respectful distance and do not photograph unless clearly permitted. Be aware that crowds can be dense and pickpockets active; keep your equipment secure.

Festivals by region

Although Dashain and Tihar are celebrated throughout Nepal, many festivals are regional. The Kathmandu Valley has the densest festival calendar, thanks to the Newar community, with chariot processions, masked dances and rituals almost every week. In the Terai, Chhath and Holi are especially important, and Janakpur hosts Vivaha Panchami, celebrating the marriage of Ram and Sita, in November or December. In the mountains, Buddhist festivals such as Losar, Mani Rimdu, Dumji in the Khumbu and Tiji in Mustang dominate. Among Gurung, Magar, Tamang and Rai communities, festivals such as Tamu Losar, Sakela (the Rai harvest festival with circle dances) and Udhauli-Ubhauli mark the seasons. Travelling through different regions at different times of year reveals this variety.

What our team loves most

We asked our staff which festival they look forward to most. For many, it is Dashain, for the family reunion, the blessings from elders and the feasts. Others love Tihar for the lights, the singing of deusi-bhailo and, above all, Kukur Tihar, when every dog in the country gets a garland and a treat. Our Sherpa guides mention Losar and Mani Rimdu, when they return to their villages. Our younger team members love Holi for its colours and fun. Whatever the festival, it's about family and community, and guests who catch one often say it was the best part of their trip.

A Tihar evening in Kathmandu

If you are in Kathmandu during Laxmi Puja, the third day of Tihar, walk through the old city in the evening. Every house and shop is lit with oil lamps, candles and strings of colourful lights. Doorways are decorated with marigold garlands, and paths of red mud and rangoli patterns lead from the street to the family shrine, guiding the goddess Laxmi into the home. Groups of children and young people go from door to door singing bhailo songs, dancing and receiving money, sweets and sel roti in return. Firecrackers pop in the lanes, and families gather on rooftops. Streets are lit with oil lamps, and visitors are welcome to join in.

Useful festival words

• Jatra: a festival procession, often with chariots.
• Puja: worship or ritual offering.
• Tika: a mark of blessing on the forehead.
• Prasad: blessed food offered to deities and shared with devotees.
• Mela: a fair or large festival gathering.
• Purnima: full moon, the date of many festivals.

Festivals and responsible travel

Festivals are important religious and family events, and visitors are guests. Support local communities by buying from local vendors, eating at family restaurants and hiring local guides who can explain the meaning of what you see. Do not treat rituals as performances staged for tourists, avoid blocking processions for photographs, and follow instructions from organisers and police in crowded areas. If you are invited into a home, accept hospitality graciously, and consider bringing a small gift such as sweets or fruit.

Checking festival dates

Because most festivals follow lunar calendars, dates can shift by up to a month from year to year. The Nepal government publishes the official list of public holidays each year, and Nepali calendars (available online and in bookshops) list festival dates. Your trekking company can confirm dates for your trip and advise on how they might affect transport, permits and your itinerary.

Public holidays and weekends

Nepal's weekend is Saturday, with Sunday a working day in most offices. Major festivals add several public holidays, especially during Dashain and Tihar, when government offices can close for a week.

If you only remember one thing, remember this: check the lunar calendar before you book flights. Festival dates move every year, and the difference between arriving the day before Dashain and the day after can mean a packed bus or an empty one. Our office sends guests the exact dates for their travel window, along with which offices, banks and shops will close.

Festival etiquette

• Ask before photographing people during rituals, and never photograph cremations or sacrifices without permission.
• Dress modestly at temples and religious ceremonies.
• Remove shoes where required and follow local customs.
• Do not touch offerings or sacred objects.
• Be respectful of animal sacrifices during Dashain, even if they make you uncomfortable.
• If you receive a tika or blessing, accept it with both hands and thank the giver.