Major Festivals in Nepal

Major festivals in Nepal, such as Dashain, Tihar, Holi, and Teej, offer a unique blend of cultural experiences. They can be enjoyed alongside beautiful hikes. The biggest Festival is Dashain, which falls in autumn and is best for trekking in Nepal. Tihar, a Nepali festival called the Festival of Lights, lasts five days. It honors animals like crows, dogs, and cows and the bond between siblings through Bhai Tika.

In addition to these, Holi is the spring festival where people celebrate by throwing colors and water balloons at each other. Teej festival is mainly observed by married women who abstain from eating and praying for their husbands. These festivals bring people together and help in creating a solid bond.

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Top 15 Major Festivals in Nepal

Dashain (Vijaya Dashami)

Dashain, Nepal’s most prolonged and significant Festival, lasts 15 days. It symbolizes the victory of good over evil. Ghatasthapana is on the first day of Navratri. Families plant jamara (barley seeds) in homes and temples for the Festival.  The main celebration is Vijaya Dashami. This is marked by elders’ application of tika (a mixture of rice, yogurt, and vermilion) and jamara to bless younger family members. The Festival ends on Kojagrat Purnima with prayers to Goddess Laxmi for prosperity.

For trekkers, Dashain is an opportunity to enjoy the culture since every village and town in Nepal celebrates the Festival. Friendly locals may invite trekkers to join the celebrations. They may even offer blessings and festive meals. Trekking services may be scarce during the Festival. But, the Nepali spirit and warmth enhance the celebrations on tours.

Tihar (Deepawali)

Tihar, or Deepawali, is a five-day festival. Each day has a unique focus: crows, dogs, cows, oxen, and finally, the bond between brothers and sisters. During Laxmi Puja, diyas (oil lamps) and rangoli decorate buildings, homes, and streets. On Kukur Tihar, people reward dogs for their loyalty. On the last day, Bhai Tika, brothers and sisters exchange tika gifts to symbolize their bond. It has become a social place full of light, music, and movements nationwide.

The Tihar festival fills even the most remote places in Nepal with color. Trekkers can see this annual celebration on their treks. The trails are dotted with houses adorned in lights, and locals engage in traditional practices like deusi-bhailo, where groups sing and dance from house to house. You will also come across animals dressed in garlands. Most locals are friendly to trekkers, offering tika or traditional sweets.

Chhath

Chhath is a festival of devotion. It is mainly performed in the Terai region of Nepal to honor Surya, the God of life and wealth. The Festival lasts four days. It includes ritual washing, no food, and worship of the sun at dawn and dusk. The devotees bathe in rivers and ponds, especially on the third day, Sandhya Arghya. On the final day of the fast, the Usha Arghya observes prayers to the rising sun. This allows families to break the fast in a state of thanksgiving.

Trekkers touring Terai during the Chhath celebration can watch its peaceful riverside festivities.  Devotees stand in the water up to their knees and pray to their lord early in the morning or evening. This Festival lets people see the Terai People’s devotion. They can also taste food like thekua, a sweet, crispy cookie made with jaggery and ghee.

Shree Krishna Janmashtami

Janmashtami, or Krishna Janmashtami, is a festive event for the birth of Lord Krishna. He is the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Devotees perform it with great enthusiasm across the country. But, it is most keenly seen in the temples of Lord Krishna. It is celebrated in August or September. Today, people fast, sing, dance, and perform scenes from Krishna’s childhood, called Krishna Leela.

Several prayers take place during the day, and it ends at midnight, which is said to be the birth of Lord Krishna. Janmashtami is conspicuous in Nepal, mainly at the Krishna Mandir in Patan Durbar Square. During this Festival, one can learn about local traditions and go in for celebrations and prasad.

Maha Shivaratri

Maha Shivaratri is one of the most prestigious festivals in Nepal. It is held at night for Lord Shiva, who is known as the destroyer of evils. It is a worship night observed in February or March. On this day, the devotees must maintain a fast, meditate, and offer devotions to Lord Shiva. Shivaratri means “the night dedicated to Shiva.” On this night, it is believed that Lord Shiva dances the Tandava. Temples in all regions, especially the Pashupatinath in Nepal, will become busy places. They attract many sadhus and devotees from around the world.

The celebration involves staying up all night. People chant prayers, light bonfires, and offer belpatra (Bael leaves), milk, and fruits to Shiva. The Festival at Pashupatinath draws many people. They come to watch the vast ‘aarti’ ceremony on the Bagmati River’s bank and participate in spiritual poojas. The trekkers traveling in Nepal during the Maha Shivaratri festival can witness an exciting sight. Trekking trails may include tiny temples or Shiva shrines where people go to pray; trekkers can see the locals praying to the mighty God.

Lhosar

Lhosar is a significant festival for several ethnic groups. These include the Sherpas, Tamangs, Gurungs, and Tibetans. It is celebrated when the new year starts. Nepal has three main types of Lhosar. Tamu Lhosar is for the Gurung. Sonam Lhosar is for the Tamang. Gyalpo Lhosar is for the Sherpas and Tibetans. Each is observed at different times of the year, mainly between December and February, depending on the community.

The Lhosar festival includes traditional dancing, feasting, and exchanging greetings and gifts. People wear traditional costumes, like Bakkhu, and silver turquoise, amber, and coral ornaments. They symbolize wealth, protection, and good fortune. Traditional dances like the masked cham dance symbolize the victory of good over evil.

Holi

Holi is one of the most colorful and enjoyed festivals in Nepal. It indicates the beginning of spring and is symbolized by the mythological story of Prahlad and Holika. Celebrated primarily by the Hindu communities, Holi takes place over two days. The first day is celebrated in the hilly areas of Nepal, such as in the Kathmandu valley, and the second is in Terai. Holi is celebrated by throwing colors and water at everyone. This also includes other activities such as dancing, singing, and having fun on the roads.

Almost everyone comes out to celebrate regardless of age, gender, or origin. In Kathmandu, Pokhara, and even Terai, many visitors can enjoy the festivities with the same enthusiasm as the locals. If trekkers are caught inside one of the mundane ceremonies, then be ready to be splashed with colors. So it is best to wear a casual T-shirt and pants that are easy to wash.

Teej

Teej is one of the biggest Hindu festivals for Nepalese women. It honors the link between Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva. Teej is an auspicious occasion. Women and girls celebrate it to wish for long, healthy lives and happy marriages for their husbands and families. Nonetheless, some women will only consume water for the entire day, followed by vibrant temple gatherings.

Teej is also the Festival of Dance, where people sing Teej songs and enjoy a grand feast known as Dar the night before the fast begins. To the trekkers who are touring Nepal during Teej, it is a colorful cultural marvel. Travelers will see women rejoicing together. It offers a chance to glimpse Nepali families and social structures. However, it is a women-only event. It becomes exciting for female tourists to see the joyous mood, lively music, dance, and cultural demonstrations.

Gai Jatra

Gai Jatra means “the festival of cows.” It is mainly celebrated in the Kathmandu Valley, especially by the Newars. It is related to the ancestors that died in the year. It is customary that family members who have lost their loved ones should take the lead by dragging a cow through the streets. It is said that the cow will help the souls of the departed get to the other world.  Religious concepts and social satire are the two most prominent aspects of the Festival.

Although the Festival has its profound significance, it is also known for its people wearing costumes, masks, and stage farces. For many trekkers in Nepal, Gai Jatra has been fascinating, especially in places such as Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, and Patan. It is a festival for grieving, laughing, thinking, and partying.

Janai Purnima

Janai Purnima, also known as Raksha Bandhan, is a unique festival for Hindus of Nepal. It consists of purification rites that symbolize the rebirth of vows, the Janai, a sacred string worn diagonally across the chest. It is worn by men who have passed a religious rite called ‘Bratabandha.’ On this day, the men again wore the Janai after the priest’s anointment. Also, siblings tie a protective thread, Rakshya Bandhan, around each other’s wrists. It symbolizes love and a protective bond.

Maghe Sankranti

Maghe Sankranti, or Makar Sankranti, is a Hindu festival in Nepal. It marks the sun’s entry into the Capricorn sign and the end of winter. Families come together to prepare and enjoy traditional foods and sweets. Sweets include sesame seed laddus (Til ko laddu), molasses (Chaku), and yams (tarul). They are typical winter foods that warm the body.

In areas such as Chitwan and the Terai, people organize feasts and other religious activities by the river. During the Festival, people dip in the river because they think it washes all their sins off. The Tharu people in the Terai region perform cultural activities, songs, and dances during the Maghe Sankranti. Trekkers and other travelers can observe their ethnicity. From rural villages to huge towns in Nepal, Maghe Sankranti is a festive delight. This includes travelers who want to know about the rich cultural traditions of this country.

Buddha Jayanti

Buddha Jayanti, or Buddha Purnima, is a major festival in Nepal. It honors the birth, enlightenment, and nirvana of Gautama Buddha.  On this day, people go to monasteries and stupas. Famous monasteries and stupas are in and around Kathmandu. They include Swayambhunath and Boudhanath stupas. People pray and offer butter lamps, flowers, incense, and food to Buddha.

Trekkers who visit Nepal during Buddha Jayanti get to see the devotion and cultural display. Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha, has grand celebrations. They include processions, prayers, and chanting Buddhist scriptures. Many Buddhist-influenced trekking trails, mainly Everest and Annapurna, have monasteries and gompas.

Yomari Purnima

Yomari Purnima is on a full moon day in November, mainly observed by Nepalese Newar people to symbolize the end of the rice plucking session. The preparation of Yomari is the main attraction of the Festival. It is a Newari Dish prepared from rice flour. It is a pointed fish-like structure with sweet molasses (chaku) or sesame seeds in its stomach part. Yomari is believed to be lucky, so families gather to prepare this dish during the Festival.

For trekkers visiting Kathmandu, it’s an opportunity to interact with the Newari tradition. The festivals of Bhaktapur and Patan streets are filled with joy, and the Yomari made for this occasion smells delicious. Trekkers can taste this festive food while enjoying the fabulous cultural adventure in the Yomari Purnima.

Rato Machhendranath Jatra

The Rato Machhendranath Jatra is one of the oldest and most active festivals in the Kathmandu Valley. It is mainly held in Patan, Lalitpur. It honors Rato Machhindranath, the God of rain and harvest. It is celebrated in Baisakh (April-May) and involves a grand chariot procession. Devotees pull a giant chariot carrying the deity through the streets. Traditional music, dances, and lively celebrations accompany it.

The Festival also contains prayers for good rainfall, which is essential to farmers. For trekkers in Nepal during this time, Jatra can be an interesting and exciting cultural spectacle. One can observe the enthusiastic bazas that join the state ceremonies and the festive mood of the Kathmandu Valley. This Festival suits trekkers who want to know about the Newar community and its culture.

Nag Panchami

Nag Panchami is a Hindu festival mainly celebrated in Nepal. On this day, devotees offer prayers, milk, and flowers to snakes or images to avoid snake attacks and to attract prosperity and good luck. People also go to religious temples and natural habitats of snakes, which include water areas such as ponds and rivers.

During Nag Panchami, trekkers in Nepal can directly interact with locals to learn about the ceremony’s meaning. The Festival also goes a long way in explaining firmly held beliefs about the natural world.

What can you expect at Festivals in Nepal?

For trekkers visiting Nepal during festival times, the experience is unique and enriching. The festivals in Nepal bring a sense of happiness and unity. Streets and homes are adorned with colorful decorations. They include lights, flowers, and different patterns from colored powders. Trekkers may see kites flying in open fields. These activities create a joyful cultural atmosphere.

Trekkers can join these festivals’ meals, group dances, community dances, and music. The level of hospitality during these seasons is even higher. The country’s people are amiable and generous,  sharing their culture genuinely and warmly. Festivals let trekkers meet people and learn about Nepal.   So, even a simple trek during this season can become the cultural trip of a lifetime.

What kind of dresses should you wear at festivals in Nepal?

During festival seasons in Nepal, traditional attire is vital to the celebrations. People often wear vibrant, symbolic outfits. In festivals like Dashain, Tihar, and Teej, women wear sarees or Kurthas. On formal occasions, Nepali men prefer to wear daura suruwal. Everybody doesn’t need to wear clothes of this kind. Some like modern dresses that fuse traditional and contemporary dresses.

At some Lhosar cultural fests in Nepal, people wear bakkhu. It is a traditional outfit with a designer sash around the waist. The Sherpa, Tamang, and Gurung communities organize these fests. During Udhauli and Ubhuali, festivals are celebrated by the Yakkha, Rai, and Limbu communities. Here, you will find people adorning their ethnic costumes. Visitors and trekkers are not required to wear traditional clothing. Still, they are often encouraged to embrace the festive spirit by donning more colorful or locally inspired attire to join the celebrations respectfully and enthusiastically.

Conclusion

Major festivals in Nepal include Dashain, Tihar, and Buddha Jayanti. Such celebrations reflect the unique customs and values of the respective ethnic group’s culture. During these seasons, travelers can interact with the Nepali people. They can even witness and engage in the spiritual arts, dance, music, singing, and traditions. These festivals are welcoming and complement the trip not only in terms of mountain treks but also in terms of the spirit of this land.