20 major festivals in Nepal you should experience

20 Major Festivals in Nepal You Must Experience

The 20 major festivals in Nepal show Nepal’s unique culture and beliefs. They include the giant Dashain, lively Holi, bright Tihar, and traditional Indra Jatra. All these festivities are conducted throughout the year. They are also joyful and unifying: They reveal the different lifestyles of the other groups in Nepal.

Many enthusiastic dances, parades, ceremonies, and community barbeque display the nationalism of the nation’s rich cultural and communal values. Some of these are fairs, and festivals are linked to some religious or festive occasions. They give importance to socialism and have helped maintain Nepal’s multicultural aspects.

Major Festivals in Nepal

Dashain (Vijaya Dashami)

Dashain, or Vijaya Dashami, is one of Nepal’s biggest festivals. It is a time of great zeal and enthusiasm every September or October. The ‘Durga Puja’ lasts fifteen days. It honors the goddess Durga, who killed the demon Mahishasura. Dashain is also when people return to their original villages in the hills from the towns and cities to reunite. These functions include killing animals and sacrificing them to the goddess.

Dashain
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The Tika ceremony involves spreading a mix of yogurt, rice, and vermillion powder on the foreheads of young family members. This is for their health and wealth. Festivals include an ornamentation of food and merry-making through dancing and drama. They are times desecrated by worship and triumph. As such, the Festival of Dashain is a festival of gods and those half-gods that defeated the demonic power. It also strengthens family relationships and unites Nepalese people in one Festival.

Tihar (Deepawali)

Tihar, or Deepawali, is a major Hindu festival in Nepal. It is celebrated for five days in October or November. The Festival is the victory of the light over the darkness and the people’s unity with animals. Every house and public place has oil lamps, candles, and rangoli. They create a festive atmosphere.

 Each day of Tihar honors different aspects of life. On the first day, they worship crows. On the second, they honor dogs. On the third, they celebrate Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. On the fourth, they worship cows. On the last day, brothers and sisters share love and gifts. The Festival includes rituals, offerings, games, songs, and dances.

Deepawali lights
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 Tika Bhai is the last day of the Festival. Sisters placed a token known as Tika on their brothers’ foreheads. They confer on them wealth and a long span.” Tihar is a superb festival. It is celebrated by grandparents, parents and children, Nepalese families, and families of other communities. 

Chhat

Chhath is a major Hindu festival. It is most common in the Terai region of Nepal and parts of India. The Festival is celebrated for four days, usually in October or November. This Festival worships the Sun god, Surya, and his wife, Usha. The rituals aim to please the deities and seek their blessings for long life, good health, and wealth.

People celebrating Chhat
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The Festival starts with fasting and the ritual initiation. On the first day, worship is done, and then fruits and sweets are offered to the setting sun called Nahay Khay. The Festival’s second day is Lohands, Kharna, or Chhoti Karva. It is a full day’s fast. The devotees can break the fast only in the evening with confident Prasad. The third day is the most important. The worshippers go to the banks of some rivers or ponds to worship the rising sun. They perform some stunts while standing in the water.

The last day of the celebration is the feast they prepare to eat at parties or share with their families and friends. The rituals’ purity, the celebration, and respect for the Sun God prove Chhath’s cultural and religious importance.

Shree Krishna Janmashtami

Krishna Janmashtami, or Shree Krishna Janmashtami, is a famous Hindu festival. It is celebrated in both Nepal and India. It is the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna, who is the eighth avatar of Vishnu. Janmashtami, or Gaura, is a Hindu holiday. It is celebrated on the eighth day of Bhadrapada’s dark fortnight, August or September.

Like every other religious feast, the Festival is celebrated with great zeal. It includes various rituals and cultural practices. Ardent followers do not eat until midnight. That is Krishna’s birth time. They spend their time singing, dancing, and chanting from the scriptures. People put up swings, bright kolams, and flowers. They hung lights and images of Krishna. They opted for special prayers and the ‘Rasleela,’ or plays about the playful Krishna.

At many locations, people wash the idol of the Lord and change their clothes, offering fruits, sweets, and milk. The Festival is a happy rite of reunion for families and communities. They celebrate a feast in honor of Lord Krishna with joyful ceremonies and deep displays of faith.

Maha Shivaratri

Another major Hindu celebration is Maha Shivaratri. It is in February or early March and is associated with Lord Shiva. People in Nepal and India celebrate the Great Night Festival dutifully and passionately. It is celebrated on the 13 or 14 of the new moon in Phalguna, in the Hindu lunar calendar. Maha Shivaratri is the Festival of Shiva. It is celebrated by fasting, keeping vigil all night, and then praying. Loyalists throng Shiva temples and offer water, milk, and bel leaves to the Shiva Lingam, an emblem of Shiva.

The night has hymning, singing, and religious talks—some fast until the Panchayat and won’t even drink water. Most devotees stay awake to be spiritual. Maha Shivaratri is a festival of purity and devotion. It seeks blessings and spiritual upliftment. The Festival celebrates Shiva in His kind form.

Lhosar

Lhosar is a bright New Year for Tibetans, Sherpa, and other people of similar traditions who live in Nepal. The Festival is held in February or March of the lunar calendar. Lhosar stands for ‘the New Year’; it has strong connotations of being reborn and people’s hope for a prosperous year. Lhosar is observed for several days, with cultural performances and ceremonies occurring in a few weeks to years. All the houses are washed, great foods are prepared, and everyone dresses well for the event.

These include cheering, dancing, singing, eating, and embracing loved ones. The Festival also includes rituals at the Buddhist temple and shrines. These include prayer for good health, joy, and blessing for a successful year. Lhosar is generally observed in parts such as celebrations, fun fairs, and land car performances. That’s why it’s for remembering history and assessing life. It tends to bolster the identity of Tibetans and Sherpas.

Holi

Holi in Nepal celebrates spring and the victory of good over evil. The Festival of Colors is celebrated in March based on the lunar calendar, commonly called Holi. What is left of this festival and its festivals is the spirit or energy of the people brought out by the festival’s events— with music and dance. Streets, parks, and homes turn into a riot of color as people shower each other with colored powders and water.

Holi
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This event features traditional music and dance. It creates a joyful mood. People can taste traditional foods and sweets from the celebrations. Holi is not just a festival of colors and fun. It has deep cultural and spiritual significance. It often shows many myths about the Sati, the burning of the demoness Holika, and the triumph of Prahlad, a devotee of Lord Vishnu.

But above all, the Festival is a tFestivalettle difference to end quarrels. It is a time to develop friendship and camaraderie. Nepalese people celebrate this colorful Festival as much as other festivals worldwide do. They do it wholeheartedly but with some differences in the methods. To most people, the Festival is notFestivalli but an emphatic celebration of glee, togetherness, and heritage.

Teej

Teej, or ‘Haritalika Teej,’ is the most important Hindu festival. It is celebrated only in Nepalese and some parts of Northern India. Women also observe abstaining from food, praying, and worshipping. They do this, particularly to the goddess Parvati. They pray and ask for the blessings of undertaking a prosperous joint life.

It falls in either August or September, depending on the lunar calendar. It is a colorful occasion with a good amount of religious side to it. Like other festivals, Teej has restrictions regarding the allowed food and the color women can wear. It entails a church service, hymns, prayers, and what is referred to as the ‘African dance.

Ladies go to temples and other communities and family groups to conduct rites. These rites demonstrate this as their allegiance and dedication. Teej is also a festival where people meet, rejoice, and help or support each other in all religious and worldly activities. In this case, area four of the Festival is exciting and managed by the Festival’s community, culture, and religion. It promotes women’s importance.

Gai Jatra

Gai Jatra, also known as the Cow Festival, is one of the most vibrant festivals celebrated in Nepal. It’s said, in particular, to occur in the Kathmandu valley. Gai Jatro is a festival that is observed in August. They are seen to respect dead relatives and have specific beliefs about cows. They are sacred animals that guide the SOULS of the deceased to the great hereafter.

The name has two parts: In English, ‘Ga’ in ‘Gai Jatra’ means ‘cow.’ This event is associated with the cows, laughter, and joyous cultural fairs. In Gai Jatra, people dress in bright colors to show respect to people who died the previous year. They shout and call cows, or persons with cow masks on, for a mock parade. It also has music and singing and has elements of black humor – astringent. The humor is jokes in context, sarcasm, and parody drama performances.

The primary purpose of these performances is to try and lift the spirits of the grieving families. It proves that one could be Festival and happy simultaneously at the Festival. Gai Jatu means the Festival of Cows, and it is the Festival that remembers the dead ones. Cast in cheerful tones, it has secured a favorite status in the Nepali population’s hearts. They cherish it.

Maghe Sankranti

Maghe Sankranti, or Sankranti, is a key Hindu festival. It’s observed in Nepal and parts of India. It is the feast of the winter solstice. The sun is now in Capricorn, meaning longer days. Falling in mid-January, Maghe Sankranti is both a spiritual and a fun occasion. It marks the change of season and the new harvest.

The Festival has activities that reflect its traditions and culture. Lords and ladies both bathe in sacred rivers and temples. They seek to wash their souls for a prosperous life. Feasting uses some crops, like sesame seeds, molasses, and sugarcane. They are sweet and mark the end of the cold season. 

 People gather to watch cultural shows, including dances and songs. They also enjoy fairs, art displays, and parades. Maghe Sankranti is both spiritual and a puja. It unites people and spreads joy. It is a festival of joy and harvest.

Indra Jatra

Indra Jatra is a vibrant festival in Kathmandu, Nepal. It is rich in culture. Held every September, this Festival honors the Hindu god of rain and harvest. It marks the end of the monsoon season. The Festival is famFestivalits colorful processions and traditional performances. It has great cultural significance, reflecting Hindu and Buddhist influences in Nepali society.

Indra Jatra
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The grand procession is the highlight of Indra Jatra. It features the Kumari, the living goddess of Kathmandu, in a decorated chariot. Chariots carry various deities and ceremonial figures. They include the traditional Ganesha and Bhairab figures. Kathmandu’s streets burst with vibrant dances, music, and performances. They showcase traditional Newari culture.

One of the most iconic events of the Festival is the Festival of the Yosin or the lingo (a ceremonial pole) in the Kathmandu Durbar Square, symbolizing the abundance of rain and prosperity. Indra Jatra includes a unique, raucous tradition of playing with water. It adds to the festive atmosphere. Indra Jatra celebrates community, faith, and culture. It is a crucial festival in Kathmandu.

Ghode Jatra

Ghode Jatra, or the Horse Festival, is a festive event. It is mainly observed in Kathmandu, Nepal, in the Kathmandu Durbar Square. Ghode Jatra, celebrated in March or April, is a cheerful, colorful festival revived from the folklore of Newars. A unique feature of the Festival is horFestivalg. Contestants race their horses through critical parts of Kathmandu Durbar Square. This Festival also hFestivalemonial horse ride. The riders wear bright clothes, and the horses are flamboyantly decorated. This is all set to the music and performances at the event.

The Festival also fFestivala semifictional costume used to worship a figure recognized as the god of Newars. The ritual is a ceremonial fire cracking. People use makeshift furnaces and shoot ceremonial cannons. This drives away evil spirits and calls for prosperity. It is a major cultural event in Kathmandu. It is a fun, colorful opportunity to unite the Newar community.

Nepal Sambat New Year and Mha Puja

Nepal Sambat is the New Year of the Nepal Sambat calendar. Only the Newars, the Valley’s indigenous people, celebrate it. This Festival is celebrated in mid-October and is an exuberant affair. They perform at carnivals, dances, and other Newar events. They also prepare feasts for the community.

The Festival is a pFestivalccasion. People wear formal Indigenous costumes. They enjoy cultural activities to welcome a new year. The celebrations renew the people’s culture. Hence, the joys of the New Year. The fourth day of the festivity is Mha Puja, or ‘Self-Puja.’ It is part of the Nepal Sambat celebration. Mha Puja offers respect to oneself and the physical body.

People perform complex rituals at home. They prepare and serve vital foodstuffs. They chant charms and chorusikal and cultural instruments to wash and purify the physical and spiritual body. Thus, the practice is essential for preparing individuals for the provision of care and their well-being. It is highly significant in the daily running of the family and society. The families perform Mha Puja. One brings food to it, prepares a feast, and even conducts ceremonials. These are called Rituals of Health and Prosperity, symbolizing the new year.

Janai Purnima

Janai Purnima, or Raksha Bandhan, is a Hindu festival in August. It is observed in Nepal and parts of India. The Festival is celebrated in the month of Shrawan on the day of the full moon. It is a time for prayer and tradition. The ceremony’s expressions reflect protection, brotherhood, and purification.

The central religious rite of Janai Purnima is symbolic. Wear a protective thread, or ‘Janai,’ around the wrist. It is usually woven from cotton. Priests sanctify it in a puja or worship ritual. The Xirueta’s thread that Tang Ao wore as a pendant carries the concept of protection and rebirth and, or spiritual rebirth.

During the Festival, the Festivaltlemen replace the old janai worn across the body. The ladies of the house tie rakhi to their brothers as an emblem of love and protection. The Festival also includes food and prayers for health. They pray for the safe delivery of family members. Janai Purnima links spiritual value with family and social practices. It creates a sense of belonging and security among the people.

Buddha Jayanti

Buddha Jayanti is a festival celebrated not only in Nepal but also in other Buddhist countries. It honors the birth, enlightenment, and death of Siddhartha Gautama, or ‘Buddha.’ The Festival is helFestival full moon day of April or May. It is an essential Buddhist event that celebrates the Buddha’s life. It is celebrated on different dates following lunar calendars; however, it is usually celebrated in April or May.

It is a time of many religious and cultural activities celebrated at the Festival. BuddhFestivalebrate Poya by decorating temples and monasteries with flowers and lights. They pray, meditate, and chant India’s scriptures. They give gifts and share food or money with others. This may be due to the Buddha’s many sayings about compassion and helping others.

People often perform special processions and ceremonies, like anointing rites and pilgrimages, washing statues, and performing other rituals. Buddha Jayanti is a social observance. It is marked by sermons, prayers, meetings, and discussions on Buddhism’s principles, like non-violence and compassion. The Festival honorsFestivaltorical Buddha. It encourages followers to seek personal spiritual perfection.

Bisket Jatra

Bisket Jatra, on the other hand, is more cheerful and lively and is conducted in the town of Bidur in the Nuwakot District of Nepal. Held in early April, Bisket Jatra celebrates the Nepali New Year. It features processions, rituals, and a fun fair. The Festival is of religious importance for the region’s people, who come from different places to witness it.

The chariot parade is the most colorful, spirited Festival. It is a festival procession of colossal wooden carts that ferry gods. It is usually a cultural performance involving elders with music and dancing. The competition also features ‘pulling the chariot.’ It’s an event where two teams compete to control the chariots by pulling them. This adds a competitive twist to the event.

Also, the Bisket Jatra has worship sequences intended to appease the region’s patron gods and pray for fortunes in the new year. The Festival symbolFestivalhared culture and legacy. It is a valued event for Nepalis.

Yomari Purnima

Yomari Purnima is a colorful festival followed by the Newar ethnic group, mainly in Nepal, especially in the Kathmandu valley. According to the lunar calendar, it is performed on the day of the full moon in December or the next day in January. This Festival honors the goddess of wealth, Laxmi. It follows her traditions and the local cuisine and customs.

The Newar community mainly celebrates Yomari Purnima. Yomari is a specialty food eaten during the Festival. TheseFestivalplings are made from steamed, fermented rice flour. They are usually stuffed with jaggery and sesame seeds. Yomari preparation is a celebration. It shows the community’s wish for a prosperous new year.

These treats are made during the Festival. FamilFestivalg them to the deities and serve them to friends and neighbors. This symbolizes unity and celebrates tradition. On that day, many rituals and prayers are offered. People bow to the goddess Laxmi for health, wealth, and prosperity. The performance is set in traditional Newar menus. The event is a cultural and religious feast.

Rato Machhendranath Jatra

Rato Machhendranath Jatra is a critical gay chariot festival in the Kathmandu valley, mainly in Lalitpur (Patan). The biannual Solabilam festival honors Rato Machhendranath. The Newar people associate him with rain and good harvests. It is usually held in April and May. It is one of the area’s most significant, colorful events.

A main draw of Rato Machhendranath Jatra is the chariot parade in front of the temple. In Patan, a grand procession takes the idols of Rato Machhendranath. A giant chariot carries them, and thousands of devotees accompany it. For instance, the chariot will have bright fabrics. Its body and wheels will have carvings and decorations.

 The procession is followed by musicians, dancers, and other ceremonies. It is limited to the religious feast to appease the gods. And to the communal feast for good harvests and rain. Rato Machhendranath Jatra shows Newar’s identity and supports popular culture in the Kathmandu Valley.

Naga Panchami

Naga Panchami is one of Nepal’s most popular holidays or festivals, along with a few other Indian states. It is significant to Hindu mythology as it is the day to worship the Nagas, the serpent gods. This Festival is celebrated on the fifth day of the bright half of the lunar month of Shrawan, usually in July or August. It is vital to devotees. They seek protection from serpent-caused diseases and want new prosperity and health.

On Naga Panchami, people visit temples and Naga sites. They offer milk, flowers, and fruits. In Nepal, some people revere snake statues. They hold ceremonies that require carrying the serpent idols in a procession.

In the countryside, people also use a paste of neem leaves. They use it on the walls to deter the snakes. This Festival is associated with venerated mythological figures. They also are guardians of forests and fertility goddesses. Thus, Naga Panchami presents an opportunity for spirituality. It is also the time of meetings on snakes’ cultural and religious significance.

Saraswati Puja

Saraswati Puja is a major Hindu festival l. It honors the goddess Saraswati, the deity of knowledge, music, arts, and wisdom. It is observed mainly in Nepal and India. It is held on the fifth day of the bright fortnight of Margashirsha, which falls in January or February. Saraswati Puja is a festival. Devotees worship the gods. They seek her blessings for scholarship and the arts.

Saraswati Puja
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The followers of the religion observe several rites and customs during the Festival. The Festival, especially students and scholars, leave their books, instruments, and tools in front of the statue or picture of Saraswa i. These items are left overnight and worshipped and blessed the following day.

It also includes the recitation of hymns and prayers. This is done by presenting flowers, fruits, and sweets to the gods. Specific practices are executed at school and in families; people sing and dance at cultural events. Saraswati puja emphasizes the importance of self-learning and dedication to arts and develops passion and appreciation towards the goddess who imparts such blessings.

Conclusion

Nepal’s twenty greatest festivals perfectly show its cultural and religious traditions. All the festivals, from Dashain to Tihar and Chhath to Lhosar, have essential roles. They integrate society, import traditions, and express appreciation, renewal, and faith.

These colorful festivals are more than religious. They show the culture of family, community, and the environment of Nepal. These show the authentic culture of the Nepalese people. They value tradition, second only to their spiritual lives. Hence, Nepal is an incredibly spiritual place to be.

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Mr. Sappa Lama is a professional tourism expert who runs the entire operations of Nepal Base Camp Trek in the position of an Executive Managing Director. Sappa is a native Nepali, was born and raised in the Mid North West region of Nepal’s Himalayas & began his career in Tourism 20 years ago to this day. His hard earned experience has garnered many accolades for the company & he has trekked the length & breadth of the Himalayas, escorting his clients from around the world to some of Nepal’s most famous Himalayan destinations.

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