Nepals Best and Major Festivals: A Year-Round Celebration

Baisakh (Mid-April to Mid-May)

Nepali New Year (Bisket Jatra)

Celebrated on the 1st of Baisakh (tentatively around April 10–20 each year), the Nepali New Year marks the start of the Bikram Sambat year. In Bhaktapur, the Bisket Jatra is a highlight, featuring a chariot procession of the deity Bhairab, culminating in a dramatic tug-of-war. Families gather for feasts and outings, symbolizing renewal and unity. The festival reflects Nepal’s cultural diversity, with vibrant street celebrations and traditional music.

Buddha Jayanti

Falling on the full moon day of Baisakh (tentatively around May 5–15 each year), Buddha Jayanti commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and death of Lord Buddha. Celebrated by Buddhists and Hindus, Lumbini, Buddha’s birthplace, hosts grand ceremonies, while Kathmandu’s Boudhanath and Swayambhunath stupas see devotees offering prayers and lighting butter lamps. The festival promotes peace and harmony, with charity drives for the underprivileged.

Matatirtha Aunsi (Mother’s Day)

Observed in Baisakh (tentatively around April 25–May 5 each year), Matatirtha Aunsi is a day to honor mothers. Nepalis visit their mothers with gifts or pay respects at Matatirtha pond for deceased mothers. Modern celebrations include social media tributes, blending tradition with contemporary expression.

Jestha (Mid-May to Mid-June)

Rato Machchhendranath Jatra

Held in Patan during Jestha (tentatively around May–June each year), this is Nepal’s longest chariot festival, honoring Machchhendranath, the god of rain. A towering chariot is pulled through Lalitpur over weeks, ushering in the monsoon. Devotees believe participation ensures agricultural prosperity. The festival showcases Newar artistry with intricate decorations and communal feasts.

Sithi Nakha

Celebrated by the Newar community in Jestha (tentatively around June 1–15 each year), Sithi Nakha honors Kumar Kartikeya, the god of war, and marks the cleaning of water sources before the monsoon. Families prepare traditional foods like bara (lentil pancakes) and perform rituals to appease deities. The festival emphasizes environmental cleanliness and community bonding.

Asar (Mid-June to Mid-July)

Asare Pandhra (Dahi Chiura Khane Din)

On the 15th of Asar (tentatively around June 25–July 5 each year), farmers celebrate Asare Pandhra, a festival tied to paddy planting. People eat dahi (yogurt) and chiura (beaten rice), symbolizing sustenance for agricultural labor. In rural areas, folk songs and dances accompany planting activities, fostering community spirit and gratitude for the harvest.

Guru Purnima

Falling on the full moon of Asar (tentatively around July 5–15 each year), Guru Purnima honors teachers and spiritual guides. Students pay respects to their gurus, while devotees worship sage Vyasa, the author of the Mahabharata. Temples host discourses, and families offer gratitude, emphasizing the value of knowledge in Nepali culture.

Eid al-Fitr

Celebrated by Muslims (tentatively around June–July each year, based on the Islamic calendar), Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan. Families share feasts and prayers, fostering community bonds in Nepal’s diverse tapestry.

Shrawan (Mid-July to Mid-August)

Naga Panchami

Celebrated on the fifth day of Shrawan’s bright fortnight (tentatively around July 20–30 each year), Naga Panchami honors serpent deities believed to control monsoon rains. Devotees paste images of nagas (snakes) above doorways and offer milk and rice. The festival, rooted in Hindu mythology, seeks protection from snakebites and natural calamities.

Janai Purnima (Raksha Bandhan)

On the full moon day of Shrawan (tentatively around August 5–15 each year), Janai Purnima is observed by Brahmin and Chhetri communities. Men renew their sacred thread (janai), while siblings tie rakhi (protective wristbands) to symbolize familial bonds. Pilgrims trek to Gosainkunda Lake for ritual baths, blending spirituality with cultural unity.

Gathemangal

Observed by Newars in Shrawan (tentatively around July 25–August 5 each year), Gathemangal involves burning effigies of the demon Ghantakarna to ward off evil. Homes are cleaned, and special dishes are prepared, emphasizing purification and community celebration.

Bhadra (Mid-August to Mid-September)

Gai Jatra

Held the day after Shrawan’s full moon (tentatively around August 6–16 each year), Gai Jatra is a Newar festival in Kathmandu Valley honoring deceased relatives. Families parade decorated cows or children dressed as cows, believing they guide souls to the afterlife. Satirical performances and dances add humor, celebrating life amidst loss.

Krishna Janmashtami

Celebrated on the eighth day of Bhadra’s dark fortnight (tentatively around August 10–20 each year), Krishna Janmashtami marks Lord Krishna’s birth. Devotees fast, sing hymns, and visit Krishna temples, especially in Patan. The night is filled with devotional music and reenactments of Krishna’s life, reflecting his teachings of love and duty.

Teej (Hartalika Teej)

On the third day of Bhadra’s bright fortnight (tentatively around August 25–September 5 each year), Hindu women celebrate Teej, praying for their husbands’ longevity. Dressed in red saris, women fast, dance, and visit Shiva temples, commemorating Parvati’s devotion. The vibrant festival highlights women’s strength and marital devotion.

Rishi Panchami

Following Teej in Bhadra (tentatively around August 26–September 6 each year), Hindu women observe Rishi Panchami, fasting to honor the seven sages. Rituals seek forgiveness for sins, reinforcing spiritual cleansing.

Ashoj (Mid-September to Mid-October)

Indra Jatra (Yenya)

Held in Bhadra or Ashoj (tentatively around September 1–10 each year), Indra Jatra is Kathmandu’s grand street festival honoring Indra, the rain god. Masked dances, Bhairava displays, and the Kumari’s chariot procession captivate crowds. The festival fosters communal harmony, blending Hindu and Buddhist traditions.

Dashain

Nepal’s biggest festival, Dashain, spans 15 days in Ashoj (tentatively around September 20–October 10 each year), celebrating Goddess Durga’s victory over evil. Families reunite, worship Durga, and exchange tika (blessings). Kite-flying, feasts, and swings (ping) create a joyous atmosphere, symbolizing hope and unity across Nepal.

Pachali Bhairab Jatra

In Ashoj (tentatively around September 15–25 each year), this festival honors Bhairab with offerings and dances, seeking protection. It draws devotees to Kathmandu’s temples, blending mysticism and tradition.

Kartik (Mid-October to Mid-November)

Tihar (Deepawali)

The five-day festival of lights, Tihar, occurs in Kartik (tentatively around October 20–November 5 each year), honoring deities, animals, and familial bonds. Days include Kaag Tihar (crows), Kukur Tihar (dogs), Laxmi Puja (wealth goddess), Govardhan Puja, and Bhai Tika. Homes glow with oil lamps, and mandalas welcome prosperity.

Chhath Puja

Observed in the Terai region on the seventh day after Tihar (tentatively around October 25–November 10 each year), Chhath Puja honors the sun god. Devotees fast and offer prayers at riverbanks, seeking blessings for health and prosperity. The festival showcases the Terai’s cultural richness and devotion.

Mani Rimdu

Celebrated by Sherpas in Kartik (tentatively around November 1–15 each year), Mani Rimdu at Tengboche Monastery features masked dances depicting Buddhism’s triumph over Bon. The three-day event includes blessings and rituals, attracting trekkers and showcasing Sherpa spirituality in the Everest region.

Mangsir (Mid-November to Mid-December)

Yomari Punhi

On the full moon of Mangsir (tentatively around December 1–15 each year), Newars celebrate Yomari Punhi, marking the rice harvest. Families prepare yomari (steamed rice dumplings with sweet fillings) to honor goddess Annapurna. The festival strengthens community ties and celebrates AVRicultural abundance.

Udhauli

Celebrated by the Kirat Rai community on Mangsir’s full moon (tentatively around December 1–15 each year), Udhauli marks the harvest season’s end. Rituals, dances, and feasts express gratitude for nature’s bounty, with communities praying for prosperity in the migration to lower altitudes.

Poush (Mid-December to Mid-January)

Tamudhi

In Poush (tentatively around December 15–January 5 each year), the Magar community celebrates Tamudhi, a festival of ancestor worship and community bonding. Traditional dances, songs, and feasts strengthen cultural identity, with rituals honoring deceased family members and seeking blessings for the future.

Christmas

Celebrated by Nepal’s Christian minority in Poush (tentatively around December 25 each year), Christmas brings festive cheer to Kathmandu and Pokhara. Churches host services, and streets feature carols with Nepali instruments, reflecting inclusivity in Nepal’s multicultural fabric.

Magh (Mid-January to Mid-February)

Maghe Sankranti

On the first day of Magh (tentatively around January 10–20 each year), Maghe Sankranti celebrates the sun’s northward movement. Families eat sweet potatoes, molasses, and yams, symbolizing warmth and prosperity. The festival holds agricultural significance, with communal feasts fostering unity.

Saraswati Puja (Basanta Panchami)

On the fifth day of Magh’s bright fortnight (tentatively around January 25–February 5 each year), Saraswati Puja honors the goddess of knowledge. Students and artists worship Saraswati, wearing yellow and offering marigolds. Schools and temples buzz with devotion, marking spring’s arrival.

Losar

Celebrated by Tibetan, Sherpa, Tamang, and Gurung communities in Magh (tentatively around February 1–15 each year), Losar is the Tibetan New Year. Monasteries host prayers, and families clean homes, wear traditional attire, and feast, symbolizing renewal and community solidarity.

Falgun (Mid-February to Mid-March)

Maha Shivaratri

On the 13th night or 14th day of Falgun (tentatively around February 20–March 5 each year), Maha Shivaratri honors Lord Shiva. Devotees throng Pashupatinath Temple, fasting and offering prayers for marital bliss. Bonfires and chants create a spiritual ambiance, attracting pilgrims nationwide.

Holi (Fagu Purnima)

On the full moon of Falgun (tentatively around March 5–15 each year), Holi, the festival of colors, celebrates spring and good’s triumph. People throw colored powders and water, dance to drumbeats, and share sweets, breaking social barriers in a vibrant display of unity.

Chaitra (Mid-March to Mid-April)

Ghode Jatra

Held in Chaitra (tentatively around March 15–30 each year), Ghode Jatra is Kathmandu’s horse racing festival, organized by the Nepal Army at Tundikhel. Rooted in legend, it dispels evil spirits. Spectators enjoy parades and acrobatics, blending military tradition with cultural festivity.

Ram Navami

On the ninth day of Chaitra’s bright fortnight (tentatively around April 1–10 each year), Ram Navami celebrates Lord Rama’s birth. Devotees visit temples, recite the Ramayana, and join processions with Rama and Sita statues, emphasizing righteousness and devotion.

Seto Machchhendranath Jatra

In Chaitra (tentatively around April 1–15 each year), Kathmandu’s Newar community celebrates Seto Machchhendranath Jatra, honoring the white Machchhendranath for prosperity. A chariot procession through the city draws crowds, showcasing Newar heritage and communal devotion.

Additional Festivals Across the Year

Sakela Ubhauli

Observed by the Kirat Rai on Baisakh’s full moon (tentatively around May 5–15 each year), Sakela Ubhauli marks the migration to higher altitudes. Dances and rituals honor ancestors and nature, reflecting ecological harmony.

Conclusion

Nepal’s festivals, rooted in Hindu, Buddhist, and indigenous traditions, create a vibrant cultural mosaic. From the colorful chaos of Holi to the serene devotion of Buddha Jayanti, each celebration reflects Nepal’s unity in diversity. Travelers can immerse themselves in these festivities year-round, experiencing the warmth and hospitality of the Nepali people. For precise dates, consult a Nepali Patro, as lunar-based festivals shift annually.