Top 10 Festivals of Nepal

Nepal, land of Himalayas, stunning scenery, and natural beauty is paradise for the hikers and trekkers. Apart from being home to mountain vistas and gorgeous landscapes, the beautiful nation is also reputed for being the land of festivals.

These celebrations are not only religious events but also a mirror of the deep-sees traditions, spirituality, and community harmony found in Nepal. Whether you are a tourist or a culture aficionado, you should definitely experience Nepalese festivals as you get to witness the rich history of the nation. 

Let’s get to learn better about the ten most important festivals of Nepal celebrating the cultural wealth of the country.

Top 10 Festivals of Nepal

Dashain: The Greatest Festivals of Nepal

Dashain is the greatest festival of Nepal. It is the lengthiest and most important festival of Nepalese. The festival is celebrated for 15 days and falls on either September or October. Oh and this time is also a great season for trekking in Nepal. It stands for the victory of the goddess Durga against the demon Mahisha, thereby showing the success of good over evil. 

Families meet for a large dinner, sharing presents and getting blessings. Younger members have Tika (a blend of vermillion, rice, and yoghurt) applied to their foreheads by the elders, with Jamara (barley sprouts) as a blessing for wealth. Playing swings (ping), kite flying, and animal sacrifices also form vital components of Dashain festivities.

Tihar: The Festival of Lights 

Tihar is the second biggest festival of Nepal. The festival is also renowned by the moniker Yama Panchak Deepawali. Tihar lasts for five days, and is celebrated in October or November. Interestingly, the festival pays tribute to numerous gods and species. 

The first day honors crows (death messengers); the second day honors dogs (loyalty symbols); the third day honors cows (sacred Hindu animals); the fourth day honors oxen; and finally, Bhai Tika, the last day, fortifies the bond between brothers and sisters. Oil lamps, candles, and bright rangoli designs adorn the lovely house. The celebration also pays tribute to Goddess Laxmi, the goddess of riches and fortune.

Holi: The Festival of Colours 

Holi is a joyous festival celebrated with great enthusiasm every year. It is celebrated in the lunar month of Falgun (March). Holi signals the arrival of spring as well as the triumph of good over evil. It is popularly known as the festival of colors. People throw water and colored powders at one another, therefore fostering an energetic and happy environment.

Laughing, music, and dance help the festival to draw together individuals from various backgrounds and so to bridge social divides. Celebrated with traditional treats like Gujiya and Thandai, Holi becomes a holiday of love, happiness, and unity.

Biska Jatra (also known as Bisket Jatra)

Biska Jatra is one of the most notable festivals of Nepal, mainly Bhaktapur. It is also known as Bisket Jatra and Vishwodhoj jatra. The festival is celebrated in the middle of April, and it signals the Nepalese New Year. It is also called “Chyacha Gunhuya Jatra” as it goes on for eight nights and nine days. 

We assure you that it is one of the craziest festivals out there, people from the whole country flock to Bhaktapur for celebration. Its grandiose chariot procession, in which massive wooden chariots of gods are dragged through the streets amidst throngs of eager participants, is well-known. 

The high spot is the erection of the ‘Yosin’ pole and follow-up lowering, which represents strength and good luck. So, the festival strikes a great balance of customs both cultural and spiritual.

Buddha Jayanti: Celebration of Peace

Buddha Jayanti is one of the major festivals of Nepal. The festival is celebrated to commemorate the birth, enlightenment, and death of Siddhartha Gautam Buddha. In April or MayEvery other Buddhist site in Kathmandu, devotees visit Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha, as well as Swayambhunath and Boudhanath. Prayers, butter lamps, and Buddhist scriptures are used to spread the word of tranquility and non-violence on the day.

Indra Jatra: Celebrates the King of Heaven

The eight-day Kathmandu festival in September, Indra Jatra, venerates Lord Indra, the rain god. Included in the festival are the masked Lakhey dance and the presentation of the living deity Kumari together with other customary dances. 

This celebration is a major cultural event thanks to the raising of a sanctified tree post at Basantapur Durbar Square and Kumari’s chariot procession.

Teej: Women’s Festival

Teej is celebrated in Nepal with immense enthusiasm by women across the country. It holds deep cultural significance, and the married women return to their maternal homes to partake in a grand feast popularly called “Dar”. On the day of the festival the ladies embark on a rigorous fast. The fast symbolizes prayers for marital bliss, unmarried women look for a good husband, while married ones fast and pray for their husband’s well-being. 

Thousands of women gather at Pashupatinath Temple, where women come together, dressed in red sarees and jewelry, sing, and dance during the festival despite the heat or rain. With its celebration of womanhood, tenacity, and the impervious bond between families, Teej is among Nepal’s most enthralling and colorful festivals.

Maghe Sankranti  

Maghe Sankranti is one of the major festivals of Nepal. It signals the close of the winter solstice and the start of lengthier days. Good health and riches are thought to follow from eating traditional foods such as yam, sweet potatoes, molasses, ghee, and sesame seeds, so families gather. 

It is also celebrated by the Tharu people as their New Year, Maghi, the festival has particular meaning for this group, which marks it with food and traditional performances.

Maha Shivaratri

Maha Shivaratri is one of the most revered festivals of Nepal. The Hindu festival is celebrated annually to honor Lord Shiva. It falls between the months of February and March.

As per Hindu calendar, it is observed on the fourteenth day of the waning moon in Phalguna month. It marks the divine union of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Devotees across Nepal, especially in Kathmandu’s sacred Pashupatinath Temple, flock in thousands to perform rituals, offer prayers, and seek blessings. The temple premise comes alive with the presence of sadhus (holy ascetics), the chanting of sacred mantras, and the lighting of bonfires, creating a deeply spiritual and mystical atmosphere. 

The air is filled with the fragrance of incense, the resonance of temple bells, and the echoes of “Om Namah Shivaya,” as devotees immerse themselves in prayers and offerings. Beyond its religious significance, Maha Shivaratri is also a cultural spectacle, drawing pilgrims and tourists alike to witness Nepal’s deep-rooted traditions and the spiritual energy that defines this auspicious occasion.

Gai Jatra

Gai Jatra is mainly celebrated by the Newar community in August. It is a unique festival that commemorates deceased loved ones. Families who have lost a member in the past year lead a procession with cows, believed to guide the departed souls to the afterlife. 

The festival also features humorous performances, satire, and street dramas, making it a lively and reflective event.

Celebration of Unity, Culture, and Tradition 

Festivals of Nepal are a testament to its rich cultural heritage and deep-rooted traditions, blending religious devotion, community bonding, and vibrant celebrations. 

Whether it is the grandness of Dashain, the spiritual importance of Buddha Jayanti, or the playful chaos of Holi, these events help to bind people, thereby fortifying cultural pride and national identity. Reflecting the numerous customs and beliefs of Nepal’s numerous ethnic groups, every festival has its own character. 

Travelers who experience these festivals get a once-in-a-lifetime look at Nepalese life beyond the mountains and temples.