Festivals

Maghe Sankranti marks the winter solstice and the beginning of longer days. It is celebrated across Nepal, particularly in rural villages and by communities in the Terai, hills, and Tharu regions. The festival honors the sun’s journey and is deeply connected to agricultural traditions.

• People eat traditional seasonal foods such as til ko laddu (sesame sweets), chaku (molasses), yam, and ghee to bring warmth and prosperity.
• In the Terai, devotees take holy dips in rivers like Koshi, Narayani, or Gandaki to purify themselves and seek blessings.
• The Tharu community celebrates it as their New Year (Maghi) with feasts, community dances, and social gatherings.
• Homes are cleaned, decorated, and family and community ties are strengthened through shared rituals.

Sonam Lhosar is the Tamang New Year, celebrated with prayers, feasts, and cultural performances. Different communities in Nepal celebrate their own Lhosars on separate days:

• Tamang Lhosar: January 30, 2025
• Sherpa Lhosar / Gyalpo Lhosar: February 28, 2025
• Gurung Lhosar: December 30, 2025

The festival is observed in villages and urban settlements, bringing families and communities together.

• Homes are cleaned and decorated with traditional motifs
• Offerings are made at family shrines and monasteries.
• Traditional dances, music, and costumes are central to the celebration.
• People exchange greetings and gifts to welcome the New Year.

Maha Shivaratri, meaning the “Great Night of Shiva,” is one of the most sacred Hindu festivals dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is celebrated with immense devotion throughout Nepal, with the Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu being the main pilgrimage site that attracts thousands of devotees, including holy sadhus from India

• Devotees fast and offer prayers to Lord Shiva.
• Sacred rituals such as Rudra Abhishek (holy bathing of the Shiva lingam with milk, water, and honey) are performed.
• The night is spent in vigil, chanting Shiva’s name and reciting hymns.
• The Pashupatinath Temple hosts an extraordinary gathering of sadhus, yogis, and pilgrims.
• Bonfires are lit, and cannabis offerings are traditionally associated with the worship of Shiva.

Gyalpo Lhosar is the Tibetan Buddhist New Year, celebrated by Sherpa and Tibetan communities in the Everest region, Solukhumbu, and urban areas of Kathmandu. It emphasizes renewal, spiritual reflection, and community bonding.

• Monks perform pujas and rituals at monasteries.
• Homes and community centers are cleaned and decorated with prayer flags and lights.
• Cultural programs include masked dances, music, and feasts.
• Communities gather to honor ancestors and pray for peace and prosperity in the New Year.

Holi is one of Nepal’s most vibrant festivals, symbolizing the victory of good over evil and the arrival of spring. It is widely celebrated across Nepal, but the dates differ slightly: Hill Holi is on March 14, 2025, while Terai Holi is on March 15, 2025.

• In Kathmandu and hilly regions, people gather to play with colored powders, water balloons, and music.
• A wooden pole (Chir) decorated with colorful cloth is erected in Basantapur Durbar Square a week before Holi to mark the festival’s beginning.
• In the Terai, Holi is celebrated more grandly with processions, songs, dance, and street-wide celebrations.
• Families prepare sweets such as gujiya, malpuwa, and bhang-based drinks in some communities.

Ghode Jatra, known as the “Horse Festival,” is a unique celebration held in Kathmandu to symbolize the victory over demons and to ward off evil spirits. It is strongly tied to the Newar community but celebrated nationally as a cultural heritage event.

• The main event is horse races and acrobatic performances by the Nepal Army at Tundikhel.
• Traditionally, it is believed that galloping horses keep away the demon Gurumapa, a mythical figure feared in Kathmandu.
• Families in the Newar community also perform rituals at home to honor ancestors.
• The day is also a showcase of Nepal’s military strength and equestrian skills.

Ram Navami celebrates the birth of Lord Rama, the seventh incarnation of Vishnu and the hero of the Ramayana. It is observed with devotion throughout Nepal, especially in temples like Ram Janaki Mandir in Janakpur, which attracts large numbers of pilgrims.

• Devotees perform early morning rituals, reciting the Ramayana and singing devotional hymns.
• Temples are decorated with flowers, lamps, and images of Lord Rama, Sita, Lakshman, and Hanuman.
• Fasting is observed by devotees, and religious discourses are held in many temples.
• Processions with idols of Lord Rama, Sita, and Hanuman are organized in towns and cities.

Type: Major New Year festivity / Chariot festival in Bhaktapur
Nepali New Year (Bikram Sambat 2082) coincides with Bisket Jatra, one of the most vibrant cultural festivals in Bhaktapur. It celebrates the start of the New Year with traditional rituals, street festivities, and community gatherings.

• Grand chariot processions of Bhadrakali and other deities through Bhaktapur Durbar Square
• Traditional dances, music, and local rituals in city streets
• Bonfires, street fairs, and family gatherings across Bhaktapur and nearby towns
• Nationwide New Year blessings, cultural performances, and festive programs

Buddha Jayanti celebrates the birth, enlightenment, and nirvana of Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha). It is observed across Nepal, with Lumbini, Swayambhunath, and Boudhanath Stupa being the focal points for spiritual festivities.

• Devotees participate in processions, prayers, and rituals at stupas and monasteries.
• Lumbini becomes a hub of international pilgrims, while Kathmandu’s stupas are adorned with prayer flags and butter lamps.
• Monks chant sutras, devotees release caged birds as symbols of compassion, and offerings of flowers and incense are abundant.

Tiji is a three-day Tibetan Buddhist festival held in Lo Manthang, Upper Mustang, celebrating the triumph of good over evil. It honors Dorje Jono, a legendary hero who defeated demons causing drought and disaster, and is deeply rooted in Mustang’s spiritual traditions.

• Monks perform masked dances (tshechu) depicting Dorje Jono’s victory.
• Courtyards of the royal palace transform into vibrant stages with horns, drums, and ritual storytelling.
• Villagers dress in traditional attire, joining in communal prayers and celebrations.
• The festival blends religious devotion with social gathering, emphasizing cultural preservation.

The Rato Machhindranath Jatra is the longest chariot festival in Nepal, celebrated in Patan (Lalitpur). It venerates Rato Machhindranath, the rain-bringing deity, crucial for agriculture. The festival emphasizes community participation, devotion, and local traditions, culminating in the Bhoto Jatra, where a sacred vest is displayed..

• A massive wooden chariot carrying the deity is pulled through narrow Patan lanes.
• Villagers participate in rituals, music, and prayers at chariot stops.
• Bhoto Jatra: A jewel-studded vest is publicly displayed, attracting thousands of devotees.
• The festival strengthens community ties and spiritual devotion, blending folklore with ceremonial grandeur.

Dumji is a Sherpa Buddhist festival celebrated widely in Khumbu, Helambu, and Solukhumbu regions. Founded by Guru Rinpoche, it focuses on community prosperity, peace, and spiritual well-being. Every household participates, creating a deeply immersive cultural and religious experience.

• Lamas conduct rituals for community welfare, invoking blessings for health and abundance.
• Community members join feasts, singing, and traditional dances, fostering unity.
• Rituals highlight the interconnection between humans, nature, and spiritual forces.
• Every Sherpa household contributes offerings, food, or performances, making it a highly participatory festival.

Janai Purnima is a Hindu festival of purification and protection, observed nationwide. Brahmins and Chhetris renew their sacred thread (janai). Simultaneously, Rakshya Bandhan celebrates sibling bonds, making it a combined spiritual and familial event.

• In Pashupatinath, Brahmin priests perform sacred thread-changing rituals.
• Thousands trek to Gosaikunda Lake for holy baths, believing the waters cleanse sins.
• Sisters tie protective bands on brothers’ wrists and pray for their well-being.
• Offerings, prayers, and feasts mark the day in households across Nepal.

Gai Jatra, also known as the Cow Festival, is a unique and colorful Newar festival primarily celebrated in the Kathmandu Valley. The festival honors family members who have passed away in the preceding year, helping their souls reach peace while lightening grief through humor, satire, and community participation. It is deeply embedded in Newar culture and combines religious observance with social expression.

• Families who lost loved ones lead processions with cows or children dressed as cows, symbolizing the journey of departed souls.
• The streets come alive with satirical performances, humor, and music to ease mourning and foster community support.
• Elaborate decorations, masks, and traditional attire are seen throughout Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, and Patan.
• Music, dance, and street performances play a central role, making the festival both solemn and joyful.

Sri Krishna Janmashtami celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna, the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu, who is revered for his divine playfulness, wisdom, and heroism. The festival is celebrated across Nepal, especially in temples dedicated to Krishna, including Krishna Mandir in Patan, and by Vaishnav communities throughout the country.

• Devotees observe fasting, sing devotional songs (bhajans), and perform night-long vigils at temples, as Krishna is believed to have been born at midnight.
• Temples are beautifully decorated with flowers, lights, and murals depicting Krishna’s life.
• Rituals include the “Jhulan Utsav” (swinging the deity), “Dahi Handi” (breaking a pot of yogurt, mainly in India but also in some Nepalese communities), and enactments of Krishna’s childhood stories.
• Offerings of sweets, milk, and fruits are made to the deity.

Teej is a Hindu festival celebrated mainly by women, dedicated to Goddess Parvati. Married women pray for the long life and prosperity of their husbands, while unmarried women pray for a good future spouse. The festival is particularly prominent in Pashupatinath, Kathmandu, and the hill regions of Nepal.

• Women dress in red saris, sing devotional songs, and dance in groups at temples and public spaces.
• Fasting is observed rigorously, preceded by the dar khane din feast the night before.
• Ritual purification and river bathing with holy leaves are performed to seek blessings from Goddess Parvati.
• Temples and streets are filled with devotion, music, and festive energy.

Indra Jatra is one of the most spectacular Newar festivals of Kathmandu, honoring Lord Indra, the god of rain, while also venerating deceased ancestors. The festival blends religious devotion, cultural performances, and civic participation.

• Kumari Jatra: The Living Goddess Kumari is paraded in an ornate chariot through Kathmandu Durbar Square.
• Lakhey Dances: Masked demon-like figures perform in the streets to ward off evil spirits.
• A ceremonial pine pole (Indradhwaja) is erected as a symbol of cosmic connection.
• The city is filled with music, dance, vibrant costumes, and festive gatherings.

Dashain is Nepal’s largest and most widely celebrated festival, lasting 15 days and honoring Goddess Durga. It celebrates the victory of good over evil, uniting families across urban and rural Nepal.

• Ghatasthapana (Sept 22): Planting jamara (barley sprouts) and invoking blessings at family altars.
• Phulpati (Sept 29): Processions carry sacred items to temples and shrines with drumming and chants.
• Maha Ashtami (Sept 30):strong> Devotees worship the divine feminine; animal sacrifices occur in temples.
• Maha Navami (Oct 1): People worship tools, vehicles, and instruments for protection and prosperity.
• Vijaya Dashami (Oct 2): Elders apply tika and jamara to younger relatives; families reunite and share meals.
• Kojagrat Purnima (Oct 5): Dashain Festival concludes with prayers and feasts, welcoming Goddess Laxmi.

Tihar, also called the Festival of Lights, is a five-day Hindu festival celebrating the bond between humans, animals, and deities. Each day honors a different being, with lights, prayers, and decorations illuminating homes and streets.

• Day 1 – Kag Tihar: Crows are worshiped as messengers of death; people offer food and prayers.
• Day 2 – Kukur Tihar: Dogs are honored for their loyalty with garlands, tika, and treats.
• Day 3 – Gai Tihar & Laxmi Puja: Cows are worshiped as sacred, and Goddess Laxmi, goddess of wealth, is honored with decorated homes and lamps.
• Day 4 – Govardhan Puja: Oxen and bullocks are worshiped, symbolizing prosperity and agriculture.
• Day 5 – Bhai Tika: Sisters apply colorful tika to brothers, praying for their long life and well-being; brothers bless their sisters in return.

Festival of lights and wealth Laxmi Puja is the third day of Tihar, dedicated to Goddess Laxmi, the goddess of wealth. Homes are illuminated with lamps, candles, and colorful decorations to welcome prosperity.

• Homes and courtyards decorated with lights and flowers and rangoli (colour art)
• Offerings to Goddess Laxmi including sweets, fruits, and coins
• Rituals performed at evening time to invite prosperity and fortune

Mha Puja, meaning “worship of the self,” is celebrated by the Newar community on the first day of the Newari New Year (Kachhala). It emphasizes personal purification, prosperity, and spiritual well-being.

• Rituals are performed in front of a mandala drawn on the floor using colored powders.
• Families worship themselves, offering fruits, flowers, and traditional foods.
• Special dishes like rice, meat, and sweets are presented to symbolize health, prosperity, and happiness for the coming year.
• The festival combines spiritual reflection with joyful communal meals.

Sibling bonding ritual
Bhai Tika is the fifth day of Tihar, dedicated to celebrating the bond between brothers and sisters. Sisters apply tika (colored powder) on their brothers’ foreheads, pray for their long life, and in return, brothers bless them.

• Sisters perform rituals using multi-colored tika, garlands, and sacred items
• Brothers receive blessings and exchange gifts with sisters
• Homes are decorated, and family feasts are organized

Chhath Puja is a Vedic festival dedicated to the Sun God (Surya) and Chhathi Maiya, observed mainly in the Terai region of Nepal. It is marked by rigorous fasting, prayers, and offerings to the setting and rising sun.

• Devotees take holy baths in rivers or ponds at sunrise and sunset.
• Offerings of fruits, vegetables, and traditional sweets are made to the Sun God.
• Women, especially, perform the rituals while observing strict fasts.
• The festival strengthens family and community bonds through collective worship and shared devotion.
• Day 1 – Nahay Khay (Oct 25): Ritual baths and simple vegetarian meals for purification.
• Day 2 – Kharna (Oct 26): Night fast begins; devotees break it before dawn with kheer and fruits.
• Day 3 – Sandhya Arghya (Oct 27): Dawn prayers at riverbanks, offering arghya to the Sun while standing in waist-deep water.
• Day 4 – Usha Arghya & Conclusion (Oct 28): Final sunrise offerings, sharing prasad, and family reunions.
• Ghats (River Banks), are filled with vibrant devotion and quiet intensity.

Mani Rimdu is a Tibetan Buddhist festival celebrated in monasteries such as Tengboche, Chiwong, and Thame in the Everest region. It marks the triumph of Buddhism over the Bon religion and is observed by Sherpa communities.

• Monks perform masked dances (cham) depicting the victory of good over evil.
• Rituals include chanting, fire ceremonies, and blessings by high lamas.
• Villagers from surrounding areas participate in prayers, offerings, and festive gatherings.
• Sacred objects, such as relics and ceremonial items, are displayed during rituals.

Gurung Lhosar is the New Year of the Gurung community, celebrated predominantly in the Gandaki Province and parts of Kathmandu where Gurung settlements exist. It honors ancestors, seeks blessings for prosperity, and preserves cultural heritage.

• Homes are cleaned and decorated.
• Offerings are made at family shrines, and community rituals involve prayers, incense, and chanting.
• Traditional Gurung dances and songs are performed in villages and towns.
• Families and neighbors exchange blessings, sweets, and greetings to welcome the New Year.

Kirati harvest festival / Worship of Clan Deity (Kul Puja) by various ethnic groups Udhauli Parva marks the downward migration of Kirati communities from highlands to lower altitudes for winter. It is also tied to harvest and clan deity worship.

• Rituals and offerings to Kul Deities (clan gods)
• Folk dances and traditional songs performed by Rai, Limbu, and other Kirati communities
• Feasts celebrating the harvest, including traditional foods like rice, millet, and local vegetables
• Homes and communal spaces cleaned and decorated for prayers