There are many festivals in Nepal. Nepal is famous for its breathtaking Himalayas, rich natural beauty, and lively and colorful festivals. Nepal has a variety of cultures and traditions. Most festivals are rooted in religious beliefs or ancient stories, reflecting the diverse backgrounds of its people.
Despite these differences, Nepalese come together to celebrate big festivals. Dashain and Tihar are celebrated all over Nepal, while festivals like Bisket Jatra and Rato Machchhendranath Jatra are special to the old towns in the Valley. Specific ethnic groups celebrate festivals like Chhath. These festivals highlight Nepal’s rich cultural diversity. Here are some of the major ones that show off this rich diversity.
Table of Contents
Major Festivals in Nepal
1. Dashain: The Greatest Festival in Nepal
Dashain is the longest festival in Nepal, lasting 15 days. It’s a major and eagerly awaited celebration for Nepali 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 celebrates the goddess Durga’s victory over the demon Mahishasura with feasts, gatherings, fairs, and religious ceremonies.
On the night before the last day, the Taleju Temple in Kathmandu’s Durbar Square opens to the public for the only time each year. The tenth day of the festival, known as “tika,” is particularly special. People put rice tika (colored powder) on their foreheads, put jamara in their ears, a sacred yellow rice sprout, and wear new clothes. The festival ends on Kojagrat Purnima, which is the full moon day. Dashain usually takes place in September or October.
2. Tihar: The Festival of Lights
Tihar is another main festival celebrated in Nepal, similar to Dashain. It takes place in September or October and lasts for five days. Tihar festival is also known as the “Festival of Lights.” During this festival, people worship different deities. On the first two days, they worship the goddess Laxmi, dogs, and crows. Crows are worshippers on the third day, and oxen are honored on the fourth day.
On the fifth day, the sisters put tika (colored powder and other ingredients) on their brother’s foreheads. They prayed for their blessings and prosperity, a ritual known as Bhaitika. Throughout the festival, homes nationwide are brightly decorated with candles, lights, and lamps.
3. Holi: The Festival of Colors
Holi, also called Falgun Purnima, is named after a mythical demoness named Holika. Like many festivals in Nepal, Holi comes from Hindu mythology and celebrates the victory of good over evil. The story says that a young boy named Prahalad loved Lord Vishnu, but his father, the demon king Mahisasur, saw Vishnu as an enemy. The king ordered his sister Holika, immune to fire, to kill Prahalad. But when Holika sat in the fire with Prahalad. But when Holika sat in the fire with Prahalad, she burned up while the boy was unharmed.
To celebrate this miracle, people in Nepal play with colors and enjoy lots of fun and happiness during Holi. The festival takes place in late February or early March and has recently become popular with tourists.
4. Teej: The Women’s Festival
Teej is a major festival celebrated by women across Nepal. During Teej, women dress in red sarees, tika, and bangles and spend days singing and dancing. For married women, this festival is especially meaningful. They visit their parent’s homes and enjoy a special meal called Dar.
After the meal, women fast a whole day while singing and dancing together. 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 visit the Pashupatinath temple on Teej to pray. It’s amazing to see women of all ages dancing joyfully, even in the heat and rain, without food and water for the entire day.
5. Buddha Jayanti: Celebrating the Birth of Lord Buddha
Buddha Jayanti is a festival that celebrates the birth of Lord Buddha. Gautam Buddha was born in 623 BC as a prince in Lumbini, now in Nepal’s Kapilvastu district. Because this is Buddha’s birthplace, Nepal celebrates Buddha Jayanti as an important festival. It happens on a full moon night in May or June. On this special day, people who value peace and Buddhism visit Lumbini, where Buddha was born. Buddhist monasteries and temples are beautifully decorated and filled with many visitors.
6. Lhosar: The Tibetan New Year
Lhosar is a festival celebrated by different ethnic groups in the mountainous areas near Tibet. Groups like the Sherpas, Gurungs, Tamangs, and Thakalis each have their own way of celebrating Lhosar on different days. The Gurungs celebrate Tamu Lhosar around December or January with Selo dances and rituals to keep away bad spirits. The Tamangs and Hyolmo have their own Lhosar called Sonam Lhosar, which happens between January and February. The Sherpas celebrate Gyalpo Lhosar between February and March.
7. Indra Jatra: The Festival of Indra
Indra Jatra is a lively and important festival for the Newar community in the Kathmandu Valley. It lasts eight days in September and marks the start of the autumn festival season. The festival celebrates when Indra, the King of Heaven, came down to Earth in Hindu mythology.
The festival starts with raising a tall wooden pole made of pine in Basantapur Square, in front of the old Hanuman Dhoka Palace. Then, the chariot of the Living Goddess, Kumari, is taken out for a parade through Kathmandu’s streets. Many people come to watch the energetic parade, which includes masked dancers called Lakhey.
8. Maghe Sankranti: The Winter Solstice Festival
Maghe Sankranti is celebrated on the first day of the Magh month in the Nepali calendar, usually in mid-Januaury. It marks the end of the cold season and the hope for warmer weather and good health. Families get together to enjoy special foods like sesame seed treats, ghee, molasses, sweet potatoes, and yams.
On the same day, the Tharu community in Terai celebrates Maghi as their New Year. They come together with family, enjoy delicious foods, attend fairs, and wear traditional clothes.
9. Maha Shivaratri: Honoring Lord Shiva
Maha Shivaratri is an important festival in Nepal for Lord Shiva, a major Hindu god. On this night, people believe the stars align to increase spiritual energy. Thousands of Hindus visit the Pashupatinath temple in Kathmandu, which is very sacred to them. The temple is decorated with flowers for the festival.
Many Sadhus (holy men) travel from India to Pashupatinath to pray and dance in honor of Lord Shiva. Since Mahashivaratri is celebrated at night, people stay awake, chanting and praying for spiritual growth. At home, families gather around bonfires and cook special meals to celebrate.
10. Shree Krishna Janmashtami: Celebrating the Birth of Lord Krishna
Shree Krishna Janmashtami celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna. In Hindu stories, Krishna is the 8th form of Lord Vishnu and was born to stop his evil uncle Kansh. The festival usually happens in August or September. Krishna is known for being playful, especially as a child when he would steal butter and break pots. During Janmashtami, people celebrate by handing a put of butter high up, and teams try to break it to enjoy the butter.
Other Notable Festivals
11. Janai Purnima / Raksha Bandhan
Janai Purnima is a popular festival in Nepal. On this full moon day, Hindu men change their sacred thread, called “Janai,” which is why the festival is named Janai Purnima. People visit Shiva temples, and big fairs, or “Meals,” are held at holy places like Gosaikunda in Rasuwa, drawing many devotees.
Families also come together to enjoy a special dish made from sprouted lentils called “Kwati.” Janai Purnima also includes Rakshya Bandhan, where sisters tie a thread on their brother’s wrists and receive gifts.
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12. Rato Machhendranath Jatra
Rato Machhendranath Jatra, also called Machhendranath Jatra, is a yearly festival in the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. It usually happens in the Nepali month of Baisakh (April-May) and lasts several weeks. During the festival, people pull a large wooden chariot carrying the idol of Machhendranath through the streets of Kathmandu and Lalitpur. The procession includes traditional music, dance, and cultural performances. As the chariot moves, devotees pray and ask for blessings for good fortune and health.
13. Chhath
Chhath is a four-day Hindu festival mostly celebrated in the Terai region of Nepal to worship the sun god, Surya. It happens in October or November. During the festival, people pray 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 times when sages celebrated it with Rigveda chants. It is believed that Karna, the son of Lord Surya, used to perform Chhath Puja. The festival brings people together, creating a strong sense of community and cultural pride as they honor the sun god.
14. Bisket Jatra
Bisket Jatra is a traditional festival celebrated in Bhaktapur, Nepal, and it brings great energy during the Nepalese New Year. It lasts several days and usually happens in mid-April. The grand chariot processions are the main attraction, where excited crowds pull the chariots of Bhairab and Bhadrakali through Bhktapur’s narrow streets. Another unique part of the festival is the tongue-piercing ceremony. Other important traditions include the Yosin Pole Erection, the Vermilion Powder Festival, and various cultural performances. Bhaktapur Durbar Square is the main spot for the festival on New Year’s Day, but it’s also celebrated in Dhulikhel, Khadpu, Sanga, and Tokha.
15. Gai Jatra
Gai Jatra, or the Cow Festival, is a festival to honor and remember loved ones who have passed away. People dress up as cows and sing and dance in the streets to help ease the sadness of loss.
The festival began during the time of the Malla kings in Nepal. When a queen lost her son and was very sad, the king asked others who has 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 is celebrated across the country.
Conclusion
Nepal is home to many different people, cultures, and religions. Most people follow Hinduism, with others practicing Buddhism, Islam, Kirat Mundhum (a native religion), Christianity, and Sikhism. This variety means that the people of Nepal have many unique festivals and events. Some popular festivals in Nepal you must experience are Dashain, Tihar, Buddha Jayanti, and Maha Shivaratri.
FAQs
What are the 10 festivals of Nepal?
The 10 festivals of Nepal are Dashain, Tihar, Holi, Maghe Sankranti, Buddha Jayanti, Indra Jatra, Teej, Chhath, Maha Shivaratri, and Bisket Jatra. Each festival has its own unique traditions and celebrations. For example, Dashain is a major Hindu festival celebrating the victory of good over evil, while Tihar is a festival of lights and gratitude.
What is the biggest Hindu festival in Nepal?
The biggest Hindu festival in Nepal is Dashain. It is celebrated for 15 days and is also known as Vijaya Dashami. Dashain marks the victory of good over evil and honors the goodness of Durga. People celebrate by visiting family, receiving blessings, giving gifts, and performing rituals.
What is the annual festival of Nepal?
Nepal has many annual festivals celebrated throughout the year, each with its own unique traditions. Some of the most notable annual festivals include Dashain, which celebrates the victory of good over evil; Tihar, the festival of lights and gratitude; and Holi, known for its colorful powders and lively celebrations.
Which is the oldest festival in Nepal?
The oldest festival in Nepal is Indra Jatra. It has been celebrated for over a thousand years and honors Indra, the god of rain and harvest. The festival features colorful processions, traditional dances, and various rituals, especially in Kathmandu. One of the highlights of Indra Jatra is the chariot procession of the Kumari, the living goddess.
What is special in Nepal?
Nepal is special for its stunning natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and diverse traditions. It is home to the world’s highest mountain, Mount Everest, and offers breathtaking landscapes from the Himalayas to lush valleys. Nepal’s cultural diversity is reflected in its many festivals, historic temples, and vibrant local traditions.
