There are several festivals in Nepal. Nepal is known for its stunning Himalayas and rich natural resources, but it’s also famous for its unique and vibrant festivals. Even though Nepal is small, it has many different cultures and traditions. Most festivals have religious meanings or are based on ancient stories. Because people in Nepal come from various backgrounds, they have different beliefs and cultures.
Despite these differences, everyone comes together to celebrate major festivals. For example, Dashain and Tihar are important nationwide festivals, while others like Bisket Jatra or Rato Machchhendranath Jatra are specific to old Valley towns. Some festivals, like Chhath, are celebrated by certain ethnic groups. Nepal’s cultural diversity is shown through its many festivals. Here are some of the major festivals in Nepal that highlight this diversity.
Table of Contents
Major Festivals in Nepal
Dashain
Dashain is the longest festival in Nepal, lasting for 15 days. It’s a very important and eagerly awaited celebration for Nepalese Hindus worldwide. During Dashain, family and community are very important. Many travel back to Nepal or their hometowns, and businesses, schools, and offices often close. The festival honors the goddess Durga’s victory over the demon Mahishasura with feasts, gatherings, fairs, and religious ceremonies.
On the night day, the Taleju Temple in Kathmandu’s Durbar Square opens to the public for the only time each year. The tenth day, called “tika,” is very special. People put rice tika (colored powder) on their foreheads and wear new clothes. The last day of the festival, Kojagrat Purnima, falls on the full moon. The Dashain festival falls in September or October.
Tihar
Tihar festival is another significant festival in Nepal, like Dashain. It happens in September or October and lasts for five days. It’s also known as the “Festival of Lights.” During Tihar, people worship different deities. On the first two days, people worship the goddess Laxmi, as well as dogs and crows. On the third day, cows are worshipped, and on the fourth day, oxen are celebrated.
On the fifth day, the sisters put tika (colored powder mixed with other ingredients) on their brothers’ foreheads and prayed for their blessings and prosperity, which is also called Bhaitika. During the festival, homes across the country are brightly decorated with candles, lights, and lamps.
Holi
Holi, also known as Fagun Purnima, is named after the mythical demoness Holika. Like many festivals in Nepal, Holi has roots in Hindu Mythology and celebrates the victory of good over evil. According to the legend, a young boy named Prahalad loved Lord Vishnu, but his father, the demon king Mahisasur, saw Vishnu as an enemy. The demon king ordered his sister Holika, who could not be harmed by fire, to kill Prahalad. However, when Holika sat in the fire with Prahalad, she burned up, but the boy survived.
To celebrate this miracle, people play Holi in Nepal with colors and enjoy lots of fun and happiness. Holi takes place in late February or early March and has become popular among tourists in recent years.
Teej
Teej is a big festival celebrated in Nepal by women everywhere. During Teej, women wear red sarees, tika, and bangles and spend several days singing and dancing. For married women, the festival is very special. They visit their parents’ homes and enjoy traditional meals called Dar.
After the meal, women fast for a whole day without food or drinks while singing and dancing in groups. Married women pray to Lord Shiva for their husband’s long life and prosperity, while unmarried women pray for a good husband and a happy marriage. Many women go to Pashupatinath temple on Teej to pray, and it’s amazing to see so many women of all ages dancing happily, even in the heat and rain, without food or water for the entire day.
Indra Jatra
Indra Jatra is a very exciting and important festival for the Newar community in the Kathmandu Valley. It lasts for eight days and takes place in September, marking the start of the autumn festival season. The festival celebrates the time when Indra, the King of Heaven according to Hindu mythology, came down to Earth.
The festival begins with raising a tall wooden pole made of pine at Basantapur Square in front of the old Hanuman Dhoka Palace. The chariot of the Living Goddess, Kumari, is then taken out for the procession through the streets of Kathmandu. Many people come to watch the lively parade, which features masked dancers known as Lakhey.
Buddha Jayanti
Buddha Jayanti is a festival that celebrates the birthday of Lord Buddha. He was born in 623 BC as a prince of Lumbini, which is now in Nepal’s Kapilvastu district. Since this is where Buddha was born, Nepal celebrates Buddha Jayanti as a major festival. It takes place on a full moon night in May or June. On this special day, people who love peace and Buddhism visit Lumbini, Buddha’s birthplace. Buddhist monasteries and temples are decorated and filled with many visitors.
Janai Purnima or Rakshya Bandhan
Janai Purnima is one of the popular festivals in Nepal. On this full moon day, Hindu men renew their sacred thread called “Janai,” which is why it’s called Janai Purnima. People visit Shiva temples, and large fairs, or Mela, are held at holy places like Gosaikunda in Rasuwa, attracting many devotees.
Families also come together to enjoy a special dish made from sprouted lentils called “Kwati.” Additionally, Janai Purnima includes Rakshya Bandhan, a ceremony where sisters tie a thread on their brother’s wrists and receive gifts.
Mahashivaratri
Mahashivaratri is a major festival in Nepal dedicated to Lord Shiva, a supreme god, as per Hindu mythology. On this night, it’s believed that the stars align in a way that boosts spiritual energy. Thousands of Hindus visit the Pashupatinath temple in Kathmandu, a very sacred site for them. The temple is decorated with flowers for the festival.
Many Sadhus (holy men) travel from India to Pashupatinath to pray and perform dances in honor of Lord Shiva. Since Mahashivaratri is celebrated at night, devotees stay awake, chanting and praying for spiritual enlightenment. At home, people gather around bonfires and cook special meals to mark the occasion.
Shree Krishna Janmashtami
Shree krishna Janmanshtami celebrates the birth of Lord Sri Krishna. According to Hindu mythology, Krishna is the 8th incarnation of Lord Vishnu and was born to stop the evil acts of his uncle Kansh. The festival usually falls in August or Septmeber. Krishna is known for being a playful god, especially as a child, when he would steal butter and break pots. During Janmashtami, people celebrate by handing a pot of butter at a height, and teams try to break it to enjoy the butter.
Lesser-known Festivals of Nepal
Gai Jatra
Gai Jatra (Cow Festival) means “cow carnival,” but it’s a festival to remember and honor loved ones who passed away. People dress up as cows, sing, and dance in the streets to help ease the sadness of losing someone.
The festival started during the Malla kings’ rule in Nepal. When a queen lost her son and was very sad, the king asked people who had also lost loved ones to join a procession to show the queen she wasn’t alone. Since then, Gai Jatra has become a popular festival in Nepal, especially among the Newar community, but this festival is celebrated nationwide.
Rato Machhendranath Jatra
Rato Machhendranath Jatra, also known as Machhendranath Jatra, is an annual festival in the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. It usually takes place in the Nepali month of Baisakh (April-May) and lasts several weeks. During the festival, people pull a large wooden chariot with the idol of Machhendranath through the streets of Kathmandu and Lalitpur. The procession features traditional music, dance, and cultural performances. Devotees pray and seek blessings for good fortune and health as the chariot moves along.
Regional Festivals in Nepal
Maghe Sankranti
Maghe Sankranti is celebrated on the first day of the Magh month in the Nepali calendar, usually in mid-January. It marks the end of the cold season and the hope for warmer weather and better health and fortune. Families come together to enjoy special foods like sesame seed treats, ghee, molasses, sweet potatoes, and yams.
On the same day, the Tharu community in Terai also celebrates Maghi as their New Year. They celebrate by gathering with family, enjoying tasty foods, attending fairs (Melas), and wearing traditional clothes.
Lhosar
Lhosar is a festival celebrated by various ethnic groups living in the mountainous regions near Tibet. Different groups, like the Sherpas, Gurungs, Tamangs, and Thakalis, celebrate Lhosar, each on different days and in their unique ways. The Gurungs celebrate Tamu Lhosar around December – January, performing Selo dances and rituals to ward off evil. The Tamangs and Hyolmo have their own Lhosar called Sonam Lhosar, which takes place between January and February. Lastly, the Sherpas celebrate Gyalpo Lhosar between February and March.
Chhath
Chhath is a four-day Hindu festival mainly celebrated in the Terai region of Nepal, dedicated to worshipping the sun god, Surya. It takes place in October or November. During the festival, people make offerings to the sun at sunrise and sunset, take holy dips in rivers, fast, and stand in water for long periods. They also worship the goddess Chhathi Maiya for their children’s well-being and long lives.
Chhath Puja dates back to the early Vedic period when sages celebrated it with Rigveda mantras. People believe Karna, the son of Lord Surya, used to perform Chhath Puja. The festival brings a strong sense of community and cultural pride as people come together to honor the sun god.
Conclusion
Nepal has a diverse mix of people, cultures, and religions. Most people in Nepal follow Hinduism, followed by Buddhism, Islam, Kirat Mundhum (a native religion), Christianity, and Sikhism. Because of this mix, Nepal celebrates a wide variety of festivals and events. Some of the popular festivals in Nepal you must experience are Dashain, Tihar, and Buddha Jayanti.
FAQs
What are the most important festivals in Nepal?
The most important and main festivals in Nepal are Dashain and Tihar. Dashain celebrates Goddess Durga victory over the evil Mahishasura. Tihar, also called as the festival of lights and colors, is dedicated to Goddess Laxmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity. These are the Hindu festivals in Nepal.
Which is the longest festival in Nepal?
he longest festival in Nepal is Dashain. Dashain is celebrated for 15 days and is the country’s most important and widely celebrated festival. It involves various rituals, family gatherings, and feasting. The festival is a time for renewal, joy, and togetherness.
Why is Nepal known as the country of festivals?
Nepal is known as the country of festivals because it has a rich cultural diversity, with many ethnic groups and religions celebrating different festivals yearly. The country’s population includes multiple ethnic groups and religious, each with its own unique traditions and festivals.
What is religion in Nepal?
Religion in Nepal is an important part of daily life and culture, with Hinduism being the main religion followed by the majority of people. Buddhism is also significant, especially since Nepal is the birthplace of Buddha. Other religions in Nepal include Islam, Christianity, and indigenous beliefs, such as Kirat.
How many public holidays are there in Nepal?
Nepal has around 30 to 35 public holidays each year, which include national holidays, religious festivals, and cultural celebrations. Some of the major public holidays are Dashain, Tihar, Holi, Nepali New Year, Buddha Jayanti, and various other festivals celebrated by different communities across Nepal.
