Festivals are the most crucial break from our regular life. This brings joy and enlightenment with family and friends coming together to celebrate. Nepal is a country prioritizing this sense of enjoyment with all the delight, celebration, and mutual gathering. Almost 58% of the calendar is packed with festivals and ceremonies referring to the different castes and ethnic groups to demonstrate their culture and traditional beliefs. Among them, some festivals are celebrated with huge gathering and magical vibes that needs to be experienced by travelers all around the globe.
Celebrate and share Happiness
20 Festivals and Ceremonies to participate in Nepal
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Nepal, a culturally rich and diverse country nestled in the lap of the Himalayas, is renowned for its vibrant festivals that showcase the country's traditions, religious fervor, and cultural heritage. Nepal boasts a multitude of festivals celebrated throughout the year. While it's challenging to provide an exact number, there are numerous festivals, both national and regional, which form an integral part of Nepalese culture. While many festivals in Nepal have religious roots, they often transcend mere religious significance. Festivals in Nepal serve as a platform for social gatherings, and cultural performances, and for fostering community spirit.
Nepalese people are known for their warm hospitality and are delighted to welcome foreigners to their festivals. Nepal offers a delightful experience for travelers looking to immerse themselves in the colorful tapestry of Nepali culture.festivals in Nepal are determined by astrologers using the lunar calendar and few of them have fixed dates.
Nepal celebrates more than 50 festivals each year. In this article, we will explore 20 captivating festivals celebrated in Nepal, each with its unique customs and significance. So, let's explore these enchanting celebrations and discover the upcoming date to experience them.
Dashain and Tihar
Dashain, also known as Vijaya Dashami, is one of the most significant festivals in Nepal. It symbolizes the victory of good over evil and is celebrated with great enthusiasm and zeal. The festival honors the Hindu goddess Durga and involves various rituals, including animal sacrifices and the flying of kites. Dashain brings together families and communities as people receive blessings from elders and enjoy festive feasts. The tenth day is celebrated with a Tika (made up of rice, vermillion, and curd) on the forehead and young barley on the hair or ear. barley is planted on the first day of the festival.
Tihar, also known as Deepawali or the Festival of Lights, is a five-day celebration that worships various elements of nature, including dogs, crows, and cows. Tihar comes around ten days as Dashain ends. The festival is marked by the lighting of oil lamps, colorful rangoli patterns, and the exchange of blessings and sweets. Tihar is a time to express gratitude and strengthen the bond between humans and nature. The major day of the festival is Bhai Tika, sisters pray for their brother's long age and prosperity.
Dashain Upcoming Date: Oct 15- Oct 24, 2023
Tihar Upcoming Date: Nov 10 -Nov 15, 2023
Maha Shivaratri
Maha Shivaratri is a Hindu festival dedicated to Lord Shiva, the destroyer and transformer. Devotees fast, meditate, and offer prayers to Lord Shiva in temples throughout Nepal. Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu becomes the center of religious devotion during this festival, attracting thousands of devotees who seek blessings and spiritual relief. Nepal Government frees the use of Marijuana in small quantities during the day referring to the supremacy of Lord Shiva.
Every year thousands of pilgrims and Sadhu (Saints) travel from across the world to Pashupatinath temple to celebrate the festival. Saints and people come across in Shiva's attire. At midnight people gather around the huge fireplace and smoke marijuana and delicacies. This day also ends the winter season in Nepal.
Upcoming Date: March 8, 2024
Buddha Jayanti
Buddha Jayanti, also known as Buddha Purnima or Vesak, commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and death of Gautama Buddha. This festival holds immense importance for Buddhists in Nepal and is observed with prayer ceremonies, meditation sessions, and religious processions. Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, is a major pilgrimage site during this time. If the visitors are in Kathmandu, visiting Bouddha Nath Stupa and Shwoyambhu Nath Stupa provides a glimpse of the festival.
Upcoming Date: May 23, 2024
Falgun Purnima (Holi)
Holi, the festival of colors, is a joyous celebration marking the arrival of spring. It signifies the victory of good over evil and is celebrated with playful water fights and the throwing of colored powders. The vibrant streets of Kathmandu and other cities come alive with music, dancing, and a riot of colors, creating an atmosphere of pure bliss. This festival is celebrated on two different days in Nepal, first day is celebrated in the Himalayas, and the Hilly region as in the Terai region is celebrated the second day, similarly, India celebrated the Holi as the day the Terai celebrates.
This festival also marks the end of the summer and sends a goodbye by playing with the waters. Kids play around throwing the water packets at each other and pouring the water from the top of the houses to the people walking and celebrating.
Upcoming Date: March 25, 2024
Losar
Losar, the Tibetan New Year, is widely celebrated by the Tibetan community in Nepal. The festivities are the gratitude of traditional music, dance performances, and religious rituals. The vibrant decorations, prayer flags, and intricate sand mandalas add to the festive ambiance. There are three variants of Losar celebrated by Sherpa, Tamang, and Gurung communities at three different times of the year. Each ethnic caste has its own New Year. Tamu Losar is celebrated by Gurung, Sonam Lhosar is celebrated by Tamang, and Gyalpo Losar is a variant of the festival celebrated by Sherpa Highlanders.
The warm gratitude and culture of the people who live here draw thousands of tourists. Each year is designated by the animals representing the years including the mouse, tiger, cow, garuda, snake, cat, horse, sheep, bird, dog, monkey, and deer. The animal cycle is grouped in cloth of twelve years for Grand Celebration. since it has been a traditional practice from ancient times and is related to the computation of the year.
Upcoming Date of Tamu Losar: Feb 10-12, 2024
Upcoming Date of Sonam Losar: Feb 10, 2024
Upcoming Date of Gyalpo Losar: Mar 11, 2024
Maghe Sankranti
Maghe Sankranti marks the transition of the sun into the zodiac sign of Capricorn and the beginning of longer days. Devotees take early morning baths in sacred rivers and lakes and offer prayers to Lord Vishnu. The festival is also associated with feasting on delicacies like ghee, sesame seeds, and sweets. This festival is celebrated as the movement of life and death. Everything in the world keeps moving, the Earth we live on moves, and even the whole universe we depend upon is moving all the time, which sums up our living.
Makar Sankranti is also celebrated for farming and the foods cultivated. People worship cows, farming equipment, curds, milk, and food. Relatives gather around and enjoy their time with music, painting arts, and rangolis and keep a mutual moving and aim for the coming future.
Upcoming Date: Jan 15, 2023
Chhath
Chhath is a unique festival dedicated to the sun god, Surya, and his consort, Chhathi Maiya. Celebrated by Hindu and Jains communities primarily in the Indian States of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, and Jharkhand, and the Terai region of Nepal, devotees fast and offer prayers to the setting and rising sun. The rituals take place near rivers and ponds, creating a serene and spiritual atmosphere. Chhath festival is prime for the Tharu people in Nepal. People also revere Chhathi Maiya, the Sun God's sister.
Chhath Festival is one of the oldest festivals dated from the time of Mahabharat as 5 Pandavas received the great power of curing any disease by worshiping the Sun. It is believed that worshiping Surya Devata (Sun) provides courage, fame, health, wealth, and prosperity. Immerse yourself in this festival practicing the holy significance and meditation with sunlight and sunset when UV radiation levels stay below acceptable limits throughout the Arghya, the ritual.
Upcoming Date: Nov 19, 2023
Indra Jatra and Kumari Jatra
Indra Jatra is a vibrant festival celebrated in Kathmandu to honor Indra, the king of gods and the god of rain. The festival begins with the erection of a ceremonial pole known as "lingo" and involves masked dances, processions, and the display of the living goddess Kumari. The chariot procession of Lord Kumari is a major highlight of the festival. Lord Kumari is only taken out of her residence area (Kumari Ghar) and allowed to capture photos for the Cameraman.
Indra Jatra is primitively celebrated by Newar communities. In the Jatra Newari people pull the rath (Charriot) around Kathmandu city and place it back to its reliable place. Newari people celebrate by gathering in the local areas and performing Bhairav Dance and different demonstrations. Locals celebrate with local wines called Ai-la and also distribute them among the mass coming to celebrate.
Upcoming Date: Sep 28, 2023
Teej
Teej is a festival celebrated by women in Nepal. This day is supposed to the Women's Day and married women honor Lord Shiva and seek his blessings for the well-being and longevity of their husbands. Celebrations commemorate Goddess Parvati's penance to receive Lord Shiva as her spouse. Fasting, Shiva worship, gathering, dancing, and singing make this festival great and profound for women. women dress in red attire and participate in lively processions and fasting. The festival is a celebration of love, devotion, and marital bliss.
Unmarried women take fasting to seek the noble Husband. The day before women gather around and eat fruitful delicacies calling it Dar, and start the fasting without drinking water. Women also expect surprises from their husbands. They visit their father's house and share their life states, happiness, and sorrows.
Upcoming Date: Aug 19, 2023
Bisket Jatra
Bisket Jatra is a lively New Year festival celebrated in Bhaktapur. The festival involves the pulling of chariots, traditional music and dances, and the symbolic representation of the destruction of evil spirits. Bisket Jatra is a nine-day event that takes place towards the conclusion of Chaitra. On the Bikram Sambat calendar, the Bisket Jatra marks the conclusion of a year and the beginning of a new year. The Jatra is about drawing the chariots of two deities, the wrathful deity Bhairav and the goddess Bhadrakali. Chariots are created in the Bhaktapur Durbar Plaza a few days before the Jatra and then dragged by local young people through the small lanes of Bhaktapur.
The highlight of Bisket Jatra is the tug-of-war competition between different communities, symbolizing the battle between good and evil. Bisket Jatra is celebrated in two locations: Bhaktapur Durbar Square and Thimi. The Durbar Square jatra draws visitors from all around Kathmandu. Residents construct the primary chariot of the god Bhairav and the secondary of the goddess Bhadrakali. Bhairav and Bhadrakali are ensconced inside their chariots and drawn across the tiny lanes of Bhaktapur by hordes of young men a few days ahead of the new year.
Upcoming Date: April 13, 2024
Mani Rimdu
Mani Rimdu is a Buddhist festival celebrated by the Sherpa community in the Everest region. The Mani Rimdu Festival is extremely essential in creating peace and harmony across the Khumbu Valley. According to the Tibetan lunar calendar, this secret religious rite takes place at Tengboche Monastery every year between October and November. The dates are announced by Tengboche Rimpoche, and the ritual commences on the full moon day.
The festival involves sacred dances, colorful masks, and religious ceremonies performed by Buddhist monks. Mani Rimdu is an opportunity to witness the rich Buddhist traditions and experience the serene beauty of the Himalayas by dancing, meditating, and rituals. If travelers are trekking to Everest Base Camp during October or November, check the festival dates and book your dates accordingly so, you can experience the unique festival.
Upcoming Date: Oct 28-30, 2023
Tiji Festival
Tiji Festival is one of the most beautiful and culturally rich ceremonies celebrated in the Upper Mustang of Nepal. Tiji Festival, also known as "The Chasing of the Demons," is a three-day religious event celebrated by the people of Upper Mustang. Held during the spring season (usually in May), this festival commemorates the victory of good over evil like most of the festivals in Nepal. The highlight of the festival is the vibrant mask dance performed by the monks of the Choedhe Monastery. The masked dancers, dressed in elaborate costumes, depict the mythological story of Dorje Jono battling against the demons. The mesmerizing dance, accompanied by traditional music and chants, creates a captivating atmosphere for both locals and visitors.
This festival is open to the visitors of Upper Mustang. Check the Upper Mustang Tiji Festival Tour to participate in this three-day enchanting ceremony.
Upcoming Date: May 5-6-7, 2024
Ghode Jatra
Ghode Jatra, the Horse Racing Festival, is celebrated in Kathmandu to ward off evil spirits and bring good fortune. The highlight of the festival is an exciting horse race held at Tundikhel, the city's largest open ground. Ghode Jatra, meaning "Horse Parade," is held annually in March or April, this festival marks the victory over a demon named Tundi, who was believed to cause terror and hindrances. The thundering sound of hooves and the vibrant cultural performances make Ghode Jatra a thrilling experience. Spectators gather to witness the exhilarating races where beautifully decorated horses gallop with skilled riders. This festival also holds cultural significance as it is believed to protect the city from evil spirits and bring good fortune to the participants.
Upcoming Date: April 8, 2024
Nag Panchami
Nag Panchami is a traditional Hindu festival dedicated to the worship of Nagas (serpent deities) to seek protection from their venomous bites and symbolize protection and fertility. Devotees visit temples dedicated to the Nagas and offer prayers and milk to snake idols. The festival showcases the deep-rooted belief in the spiritual significance of serpents.
Nag Panchami is celebrated on the fifth day of the bright half of the lunar month of Shravan (July/August), this festival holds great importance in Nepali culture. People visit temples dedicated to Nagas (serpent deities) and offer milk, sweets, and flowers to idols. Snake charmers can be seen showcasing their skills with live snakes, mesmerizing the crowds with their daring acts. People also stick a poster of Nagas in their entry door with a cow dunk. Nag Panchami is not only a religious festival but also an opportunity for communities to come together and celebrate with joy.
Upcoming Date: Aug 21, 2023
Janai Purnima or Rakshya Bandhan
Janai Purnima, also known as Rakshya Bandhan, is a popular festival celebrated by Hindus in Nepal. It usually falls on the full moon day in the month of Shrawan (July/August). The festival holds great religious and social significance. On this day, Hindu men, especially those belonging to the Brahmin and Chhetri communities, change their sacred thread known as "Janai" and perform rituals for purification and spiritual renewal. The Janai is a symbol of protection and is believed to safeguard the wearer from evil forces.
Rakshya Bandhan, which means "the bond of protection," is a ritual that strengthens the bond between brothers and sisters. Sisters tie a sacred thread, known as "Rakhi," around their brothers' wrists and pray for their well-being. In return, brothers offer gifts and promises to protect their sisters. This tradition signifies love, care, and mutual respect between siblings.
Upcoming Date: Aug 30, 2023
Yomari Punhi
Yomari Punhi is a festival unique to the Newar community of Kathmandu Valley. It celebrates the end of the rice harvest season and is marked by the preparation and consumption of Yomari, a special rice flour delicacy filled with sweet molasses or sesame seeds. The festival fosters community bonding and culinary delights.
This festival usually falls in December and is dedicated to the Newari delicacy called the festival begins with people making Yomari in their homes, followed by religious ceremonies and feasting. The Yomari is considered a symbol of good luck and prosperity, and it is believed that offering and consuming Yomari during this festival brings blessings to the household.
Upcoming Date: Dec 26, 2023
Rishi Panchami
Rishi Panchami is a Hindu festival dedicated to paying homage to the Sapta Rishis (seven sages) and seeking forgiveness for past sins and significant festival celebrated by Hindu women in Nepal. Women observe a day-long fast and perform rituals to cleanse themselves spiritually. Rishi Panchami emphasizes the importance of purity and gratitude towards teachers and ancestors.
It falls on the fifth day of the waxing moon phase in the month of Bhadra (August/September). Women observe fasting and perform rituals to purify their bodies and soul. They visit temples and take holy baths in rivers or ponds. Rishi Panchami is a day of introspection and gratitude, highlighting the important role of women in society and their spiritual well-being.
Upcoming Date: Sep 20, 2023
Rato Machindranath Jatra
The Rato Machindranath Jatra, also known as the Bunga Dyah Jatra, is one of the most vibrant and long-awaited festivals in the Kathmandu Valley. Rato Machindranath Jatra is a grand chariot procession in Patan dedicated to the deity Rato Machindranath, who is believed to bring rainfall and prosperity. This month-long chariot procession is dedicated to Lord Machindranath, the deity believed to bring rain and prosperity to the region.
The main highlight of the festival is the chariot procession, where the idol of Lord Machindranath is placed on a towering wooden chariot and pulled through the streets of Patan and Kathmandu. The procession is accompanied by traditional music, dances, and a joyous atmosphere. The festival is not only a religious event but also a time for the community to come together, celebrate, and pray for a bountiful harvest and well-being. The Jatra culminates in the ceremonial immersion of the deity in a pond.
Upcoming Date: May 21, 2024
Gai Jatra
Gai Jatra, meaning the "Cow Festival," is a unique and lighthearted festival celebrated in the Kathmandu Valley to commemorate the death of loved ones. It usually takes place in August or September. According to tradition, families who have lost a loved one during the past year participate in a procession where they dress up their children as cows and parade them through the streets.
This act is believed to help the deceased soul find its way to heaven. The festival is characterized by laughter, comedy performances, and satire aimed at bringing humor and solace to grieving families. Gai Jatra showcases the Nepalese culture's resilience and the belief in finding joy even in times of sorrow. Wear a unique and attractive mask and walk around the Kathmandu Valley.
Upcoming Date: Sep 1, 2023
Basant Panchami
Basant Panchami, also known as Saraswati Puja, is a festival dedicated to the goddess of knowledge, music, and arts, Saraswati. Celebrated on the fifth day of the waxing moon phase in the month of Magh (January/February), this festival marks the arrival of the spring season. Devotees, especially students, worship the goddess Saraswati and seek her blessings for wisdom, creativity, and academic success.
People dress in vibrant yellow attire, which symbolizes the blossoming flowers and the warmth of the sun during this season. It is customary to organize musical and cultural programs, where students showcase their talents in dance, music, and poetry. Basant Panchami is a festival that honors education, culture, and the pursuit of knowledge.
Upcoming Date: Feb 14, 2024
Conclusion
In conclusion, Nepal is a treasure trove of festivals that captivate the hearts and minds of all who witness them. From the grandeur of Dashain to the joyous revelry of Holi and the serene spirituality of Buddha Jayanti, these 20 unique festivals provide an incredible opportunity to immerse yourself in the vibrant tapestry of Nepali culture. Whether you are seeking religious enlightenment, cultural exploration, or simply a festive atmosphere, Nepal's festivals offer something for everyone.
Nepal's festival calendar is filled with these mesmerizing celebrations that offer a glimpse into the country's rich cultural heritage and religious traditions. Each festival carries its unique customs, colors, and significance, making it a memorable experience for both locals and visitors alike.
By experiencing these festivals in Nepal, you will not only witness the country's traditions and customs but also forge unforgettable memories and connections with the warm-hearted Nepali people. So, plan your visit accordingly and embrace the joy, spirituality, and cultural diversity that these festivals bring forth.
