Nepal, a land of diverse cultures and traditions, is home to over 60 ethnic communities, each with its own unique festivals that reflect the country’s rich heritage. From the grand celebration of Dashain, which honors the victory of good over evil, to the lively Holi festival, where people throw colors in joyous unity, Nepal’s festivals provide a vivid portrayal of its cultural landscape. These festivals, such as Tihar (the Festival of Lights) and Buddha Jayanti (celebrating the birth and enlightenment of Buddha), are deeply intertwined with religious and social customs, offering travelers a chance to witness the spiritual and communal life of the Nepalese people. Whether it’s the night vigils of Shiva Ratri or the family reunions during Dashain, each celebration is a testament to the country’s devotion, love, and unity.
For those visiting Nepal, combining trekking with participation in these festivals provides an unforgettable experience, allowing for an immersive exploration of both nature and culture. Trekking through the picturesque landscapes of the Himalayas or the tranquil meadows, visitors also have the opportunity to witness local festivals in full swing. The fusion of adventure with cultural celebration enhances the travel experience, offering a deeper connection to the land and its people. Whether you’re experiencing the traditional dances of Teej or the chariot procession of Indra Jatra, these festivals serve as windows into the soul of Nepal, making it a destination for both adventure seekers and cultural enthusiasts alike.
Table of Contents:
- DASHAIN – Biggest Festivals in Nepal
- TIHAR –Lights & Colors festival,
- TEEJ –The women’s festival,
- Buddha Jayanti – The Day Gautam Buddha was Born,
- Gai Jatra -The Cow festival,
- Janai Purnima or Rakshya Bandhan,
- Shree Krishna Janmashtami -Lord Krishna’s Birthday,
- Fagun Purnima –A Festival of Colors,
- Mahashivaratri-The Night of Lord Shiva,
- Bisket Jatra,
Top 10 Famous Festivals in Nepal
Dashain – Biggest Festivals in Nepal
Dashain is the longest and most significant Hindu festival in Nepal, traditionally celebrated for two weeks. It honors Goddess Durga, the Universal Mother, and is a time of spiritual devotion, family reunions, and community celebrations. During this period, prayers and offerings are made to Durga, symbolizing strength, valor, and protection. The festival’s rituals span ten days, including events like Ghatasthapana, Phool Pati, Mahaastami, Nawami, and Vijaya Dashami, each marked by distinct ceremonies that vary across regions.
The festival is a time for people to visit elders, dressed in their finest clothes, to seek tika (a mixture of rice, yogurt, and vermilion) and blessings. Animal sacrifices are a traditional part of the celebration, particularly on Nawami, at temples like Hanuman Dhoka. Sword processions (Paayaa) are also held in parts of the Kathmandu Valley, symbolizing strength and the martial spirit of the goddess. On the ninth day, the normally restricted Taleju Temple is opened to the public, allowing people to offer prayers in the sacred space.
The final day, known as Tika, is when families gather for grand feasts, exchange gifts, and celebrate together. People move around with tika on their foreheads, wearing new clothes, and visiting relatives to receive blessings. The atmosphere is filled with joy, as children fly kites and enjoy village swings. The festival culminates on Kojagrat Purnima, the full moon night, with a sense of unity, prosperity, and the victory of good over evil.
2. Tihar –Lights & Colors festival
“May the lights of Tihar brighten your heart and the colors of the festival fill your life with joy!”
Tihar, also known as the Festival of Lights, is a five-day celebration deeply rooted in Nepali culture, honoring various animals, deities, and familial bonds. Each day of the festival is dedicated to a specific being or ritual, starting with Kaag Tihar, the day to worship crows, which are considered messengers of Yama, the God of Death. The following day, Kukur Tihar, honors dogs, believed to be the agents of Yama, with special prayers and offerings. On the third day, Gai Tihar celebrates cows, symbolizing wealth and prosperity, while Laxmi Puja invites the Goddess of Wealth into homes with a path of lit lamps and open doors, ensuring a year of abundance. 
The fourth day of Tihar pays tribute to oxen, vital animals in agriculture, and also marks Mha Puja, a ritual observed by the Newar community to promote self-well-being and vitality. The final day, Bhai Tika, is a heartfelt celebration of the bond between brothers and sisters. Sisters apply tika to their brothers’ foreheads and pray for their long life and prosperity, while brothers give gifts in return. The day culminates in family feasts and gatherings, strengthening the ties that bind families together.
Throughout the festival, the atmosphere is filled with lights, decorations, and a sense of joy. Homes are adorned with colorful garlands, candles, and oil lamps, casting a warm glow over the streets. The sight of Kathmandu’s twinkling lights from the Swoyambhunath Stupa offers a stunning view of the celebration. Despite a government ban on fireworks, the skies are still illuminated with vibrant displays, reflecting the spirit of the festival. Tihar is a time for gratitude, celebration, and togetherness, uniting families and communities in a joyous expression of light and love.
3. Teej Women Festival
Teej is one of the most widely celebrated festivals in Nepal, especially among women. It is observed with great devotion and enthusiasm, primarily in the months of August or September, depending on the lunar calendar. The festival is dedicated to Goddess Parvati, symbolizing love, marital bliss, and family prosperity. Women, especially married ones, observe a day of fasting and pray for the well-being of their husbands, while unmarried women pray for a good husband.
The most significant day of Teej is Rishi Panchami, when women perform purification rituals and seek blessings from the gods. On Teej Day, women dress in red or green, don traditional attire, and gather in large groups to sing devotional songs, dance, and celebrate with fellow devotees. Vrat (fasting) is a key element of the celebration, where women refrain from eating or drinking for a full day, often only breaking their fast after performing the evening puja.
In addition to its religious and spiritual aspects, Teej is also a time of joyous social gathering. Families and communities come together, and women often take part in vibrant public celebrations, including folk dances, singing, and feasting. The festival marks the union of Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva, symbolizing a harmonious marital relationship and the strength of love and devotion. Teej is a celebration of womanhood, devotion, and the hope for a prosperous life.
4.Buddha Jayanti -The Day Gautam Buddha was Born
Buddha Jayanti is one of the most significant and revered festivals in Nepal, celebrating the birth, enlightenment, and death (Parinirvana) of Gautam Buddha, the founder of Buddhism. It is observed on the full moon day of Baisakh (the month of April or May, depending on the lunar calendar). This day holds immense spiritual and cultural importance, especially in the Lumbini region, where Buddha was born, and in various Buddhist communities across Nepal.
On Buddha Jayanti, devotees gather at Buddhist stupas, temples, and monasteries, especially in Lumbini, Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple), Boudhanath, and Pashupatinath in Kathmandu, to offer prayers, incense, and light lamps (known as butter lamps) to honor the life and teachings of Buddha. Monks and Buddhist followers recite Buddha’s teachings (sutras) and meditate, reflecting on his path to enlightenment and his teachings of peace, compassion, and non-violence.
The festival is not only a religious occasion but also a cultural celebration. It involves colorful processions, chanting, and the display of Buddha’s life and teachings through various artistic forms. People from all walks of life come together to participate in these ceremonies, making it a communal and unifying event. Buddha Jayanti is a reminder of the profound spiritual legacy of Gautam Buddha, who inspired countless people to follow the path of compassion, wisdom, and inner peace.
5. Gai Jatra -The Cow festival
Gai Jatra, also known as the Cow Festival, is one of the most unique and lively festivals celebrated in Nepal, particularly in the Kathmandu Valley. It is primarily a Hindu festival observed in honor of the deceased, with special focus on helping the souls of the departed find peace and liberation. The festival typically takes place on the 1st day of Bhadra (usually in August or September), following the Shiva Ratri festival. It has a rich cultural and spiritual significance, offering both a time for mourning and celebration.
The key tradition of Gai Jatra involves processions of people walking with cows, as cows are considered sacred in Hinduism. Families who have lost a loved one in the past year participate in the procession, accompanied by relatives and friends. The cows are decorated with flowers, and people often wear traditional clothes, creating a colorful and vibrant atmosphere. The festival is meant to help guide the spirits of the deceased to the afterlife, offering them peace and ensuring their safe journey.
While Gai Jatra is a day of remembrance, it is also filled with humor and satire. Street performances, comical skits, and mock processions are common, where participants dress in funny costumes and engage in light-hearted activities. This blending of humor with remembrance makes Gai Jatra a unique celebration that brings together both grief and joy. It is also a time when the people of Kathmandu come together to share laughter, reflect on life and death, and honor those who have passed. The festival emphasizes the transient nature of life and the importance of community support during times of loss.
6. Janai Purnima or Rakshya Bandhan
As the season of planting winds down, the convoy of festivals begins, adding vibrant joy and celebration to life. With each passing festival, there’s a sense of refreshment and newness, as they bring different hues to the days ahead. It’s a time to sigh in relief after the hard work of planting, and then enjoy the festivities that fill life with excitement.
One such festival that adds sparkle to the shops is Janapurnima, celebrated with the exchange of colorful rakhis. This festival is not only about the joyful exchange of gifts but also about strengthening the bond between brothers and sisters. Sisters traditionally tie the sacred rakhi thread on their brothers’ wrists, symbolizing protection, love, and care. It’s a special occasion where families come together to celebrate these bonds of affection, and the shops are filled with a variety of rakhis and gifts, each unique and colorful.
Like every festival, Janapurnima carries deep significance. The rakhi thread represents a bond of holiness and security, symbolizing a promise of protection between siblings. It is a reminder of the strength of familial ties and the importance of unity, love, and mutual respect. Much like festivals that honor the earth or water, this one highlights the value of connection, trust, and the sacredness of relationships.
7. Shree Krishna Janmashtami -Lord Krishna’s Birthday
Krishna Janmashtami, also known as Krishnashtami or Gokulashtami, is an annual Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna, the eighth avatar of Vishnu. The festival is observed on the eighth day (Ashtami) of the dark fortnight in Shravana Masa or Bhadrapada Masa, which typically falls in August or September. Krishna is revered not only as an incarnation of Vishnu but, in some texts like the Gita Govinda, as the supreme God and the source of all avatars. The day marks his birth, which is traditionally celebrated with joyous rituals and spiritual observances across India and around the world.
The festival is particularly important in the Vaishnavism tradition and is marked by a variety of customs. Devotees engage in fasting (upavasa), singing devotional hymns, and enacting scenes from Krishna’s life, especially from the Bhagavata Purana. The highlight of the celebration is the midnight hour, believed to be the exact time of Krishna’s birth, when people gather in temples, sing bhajans, and keep a vigil. In many places, participants also perform dramatic reenactments of Krishna’s childhood, such as his playful antics of stealing butter and his miraculous escape from the prison of his tyrannical uncle, Kamsa.
The story of Krishna’s birth is a powerful legend in Hinduism. Born to Devaki and Vasudeva in a prison cell in Mathura, Krishna’s birth was foretold to bring an end to the reign of his uncle, Kamsa, who had imprisoned his sister and her husband in fear of a prophecy. Kamsa, intent on defying fate, killed the first six of Devaki’s children. However, when Krishna was born, the prison gates opened mysteriously, and Vasudeva was able to carry the newborn across the Yamuna River to the safety of his foster parents, Yashoda and Nanda in Gokul. Krishna’s childhood, full of mischief and divine miracles, is an essential part of the Janmashtami celebrations, where his devotees honor the joyful, loving, and miraculous nature of his life.
8.Fagun Purnima –A Festival of Colors
Fagu Purnima, also known as Holi in Nepal, is one of the most vibrant and widely celebrated festivals, filled with colors, love, and friendships. It marks the arrival of the spring season and is observed on the full moon day of the Phagun month in the Nepali calendar (usually in late February or early March). The festival’s name is derived from two words: Phagu (meaning the sacred red color) and Purnima (the full moon). Holi is celebrated with much joy and enthusiasm, marking the victory of good over evil and the renewal of life in spring.
The origin of the festival is tied to the ancient Hindu myth of Holika, a demoness, and her nephew Prahlad. According to legend, Prahlad was a devotee of Lord Vishnu, which angered his father, Hiranyakasipu, who believed himself to be the most powerful being. To kill his son, Hiranyakasipu instructed his sister, Holika, to burn Prahlad alive in a fire. However, due to Prahlad’s devotion, he remained unharmed, while Holika, who had been granted fire-resistant powers, perished in the flames. The victory of Prahlad and Lord Vishnu over evil is celebrated with Holi, which symbolizes the triumph of good and the burning away of evil.
The celebrations begin a week before the main festival with traditional rituals. In Kathmandu, a long bamboo stick (known as Lingo) is erected at Basantapur Durbar Square, adorned with colorful cloths. The day before the main festival, the Chir (cloths) are taken down and burned in a ceremony called Chir Haran or Holika Dahan, symbolizing the destruction of evil. The ashes from this ritual are taken home by devotees, believed to offer protection from evil forces. On the main day of Holi, people gather to play with colors, dance, and sing, applying colors to each other as an expression of love. Water guns (known as Pichakari) and water-filled balloons (called Lola) are also commonly used, adding an extra layer of fun and joy to the celebrations. Holi is now celebrated widely, transcending religious boundaries, and is enjoyed by people of all ages, including tourists who wish to experience Nepal’s unique culture. This year, Holi will be celebrated on March 24, 2024, falling on Chaitra 11th in the Nepali calendar.
9. Mahashivaratri-The Night of Lord Shiva
Mahashivratri, meaning “the Great Night of Lord Shiva,” is one of the most important and revered Hindu festivals. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva, the deity of creation, preservation, and destruction, and is considered the largest and most significant festival for his devotees. While there is a Shivratri every month on the 13th night of the waning moon, Mahashivratri is celebrated only once a year, making it a unique and auspicious occasion. In some regions like Kashmir, it is called Har-Ratri, Haerath, or Herath, while Tantric practitioners refer to it as Kaalraatri.
Mahashivratri falls on the 13th night and 14th day of the dark half of the month of Magha, which usually corresponds to February or early March in the Gregorian calendar. There is often confusion, with some sources incorrectly stating that it occurs in the month of Phalguna. However, according to the Shiva Purana (4.38.24), the festival should be celebrated specifically in the month of Magha, and this date is held in the highest regard by devotees.
The Shiva Purana mentions that Shivratri is particularly glorified in the dark half of the month of Magha. It also states that the observance of Shivaratri must continue through the night, with special rites performed when the Chaturdashi (14th day) extends until midnight. The night-long vigil, prayers, chanting of mantras, and fasting are seen as a way to seek Lord Shiva’s blessings for peace, prosperity, and spiritual awakening, making Mahashivratri a deeply spiritual and transformative event for Hindus worldwide.
Bisket Jatra
Biskā Jātrā, also known as Biska Jatra, is a vibrant and significant annual festival celebrated in the Kathmandu Valley, particularly in Bhaktapur, Thimi, and surrounding areas. Held in April, this festival marks the Hindu Solar New Year, celebrated according to the Hindu solar calendar, unlike most other Nepali festivals, which follow the lunar calendar. The festival is not only a celebration of the new year but also an important cultural event, serving as the major celebration for many of the communities in the region.
The name “Biska” encompasses the festivals celebrated in several towns once part of the Kingdom of Bhaktapur, including Bhaktapur, Thimi, Bode, Nagadesh, Dhapasi, Tokha, Dhulikhel, Katunje, Gundu, and Sanga. Originally, Biska Jatra began as a Vaisakhi festival in Bhaktapur, marked by the display of a large banner tied to a wooden pole. During the Malla dynasty, the festival spread to other parts of the kingdom and evolved with the addition of various new traditions, including the famous ratha (chariot) procession of Bhairava and his consort Bhadrakali in Bhaktapur. Another key aspect of the festival is the sindoor throwing event in Thimi, where participants engage in playful and colorful rituals that have become iconic elements of Biska Jatra.
Each of the towns involved in Biska Jatra has its own unique way of celebrating the festival, adding distinct regional flavors to the overall festivities. Whether through elaborate chariot processions, temple rituals, or the throwing of sindoor, Biska Jatra is a joyful and culturally rich event that highlights the traditions, unity, and community spirit of the Kathmandu Valley.