20 Best Festivals in Nepal You Must Experience

Nepal, a country known for its rich culture, diverse traditions, and deep spirituality, offers a plethora of festivals celebrated throughout the year. From vibrant Hindu celebrations to unique Buddhist ceremonies, Nepal is a festival lover’s paradise. 

Whether you’re seeking cultural immersion or simply want to experience the country’s charm, the festivals in Nepal offer something special for every traveller. This article will guide you through the most famous festival in Nepal, helping you plan your visit.

20 Best Upcoming Festivals in Nepal

Listed below are the top festivals in Nepal this year, which you shouldn’t miss.

1. Dashain Festival

• The grand Hindu festival of Nepal

Dashain is the longest and the most significant festival in Nepal, celebrated by Hindus across the country. It symbolizes the victory of good over evil and is dedicated to the goddess Durga. 

During Dashain, families reunite, worship, and celebrate with blessings and rituals. The festival is marked by family gatherings, animal sacrifices, and receiving tika (a mixture of yogurt, rice, and vermillion) from elders.

What to Experience

• Worship rituals in temples and homes
• Receive blessings from elders
• Participate in cultural programs

2. Tihar (Deepawali)

• Festival of lights and brotherhood

Tihar, also known as Deepawali, is a five-day festival celebrated with immense joy. It is similar to Diwali in India but has its unique touch in Nepal. The festival honors animals like crows, dogs, cows, and even oxen, offering them flowers, food, and worship. 

The fifth day is dedicated to the worship of brothers, where sisters perform rituals for their brothers’ long life.

What to Experience

• Decorate houses with oil lamps (diyas)
• Celebrate with family, fireworks, and sweets
• Participate in brother-sister bonding rituals

Suggested Read: Winter in Nepal: Weather, Things to Do, Packing Tips & More

3. Holi

• A festival of colours

Holi, the festival of colors, is celebrated with enthusiasm and excitement all over Nepal. This festival marks the arrival of spring and symbolizes the victory of good over evil. 

People celebrate by throwing colored powders at each other, dancing, singing, and sharing festive food. It’s a joyful occasion that brings together communities of all backgrounds.

What to Experience

• Play with vibrant colors
• Join in community celebrations
• Taste traditional sweets like gujia

4. Buddha Jayanti

• Celebrating the birth of Buddha

Buddha Jayanti marks the birth, enlightenment, and death anniversary of Lord Buddha, the founder of Buddhism. It is a significant occasion for Buddhists, especially in the Lumbini region, the birthplace of Buddha. 

The festival includes prayer ceremonies, Buddha idol processions, and the lighting of lamps.

What to Experience

• Visit Buddhist stupas and monasteries
• Participate in peaceful prayers and rituals
• Light oil lamps and incense

Suggested Read: 15 Must-Visit Museums in Nepal: Journey Through Ancient Wisdom and Artistic Heritage

5. Maghe Sankranti

• A harvest festival

Maghe Sankranti is one of the seasonal festivals in Nepal, and is celebrated as the beginning of the harvest season. People gather to celebrate with family and offer prayers to the Sun God. 

The festival also marks the transition of the sun into the Capricorn zodiac, considered a lucky time. It is celebrated by eating traditional foods like sesame seeds, molasses, and yam.

What to Experience

• Enjoy traditional foods like til ko laddu
• Visit temples to offer prayers
• Celebrate with family gatherings

6. Teej

• Festival of women

Teej is a festival primarily celebrated by women, where they pray for the well-being of their husbands. Women fast, dress in red attire, sing folk songs, and dance in traditional rituals. It’s an event of joy, strength, and solidarity among women.

What to Experience

• Watch traditional Teej dances
• Participate in fasting and rituals
• Enjoy festive foods after fasting

Suggested Read: Reasons For Nepal Visa Rejection For Indian Nationals

7. Indra Jatra

• A grand street celebration in Kathmandu

Indra Jatra is one of the most vibrant and important festivals in Kathmandu. It is dedicated to Lord Indra, the god of rain. 

The festival is marked by a grand procession of chariots, traditional dances, and the famous Kumari Jatra (the living goddess procession). It’s an exciting time to witness Kathmandu’s cultural heritage.

What to Experience

• Participate in the Kumari Jatra
• Watch street performances and dances
• Visit Swayambhunath Stupa during the festival

8. Shivaratri

• Night of Lord Shiva

Maha Shivaratri is a major Hindu festival dedicated to Lord Shiva, the destroyer of evil. Devotees fast and stay up all night, chanting prayers and offering rituals to Lord Shiva. 

The festival is observed at temples like Pashupatinath, where thousands gather to worship and celebrate.

What to Experience

• Visit Pashupatinath Temple
• Participate in night-long prayers and rituals
• Enjoy the chanting of mantras

Suggested Read: Nepal in January: Explore Nepal’s Wonders This January

9. Lhosar (Nepalese New Year)

• Celebrating the new year in the lunar calendar

Lhosar is the celebration of the Nepalese New Year, celebrated by indigenous communities like the Tamangs and Gurungs. It marks the beginning of a new year in the lunar calendar, with family gatherings, feasts, and dancing.

What to Experience

• Enjoy cultural dances and music
• Feast on traditional Lhosar dishes
• Visit homes for blessings from elders

10. Sakela (Sakela Dance Festival)

• A cultural festival of the Kirat people

Sakela is celebrated by the Kirat community, particularly in the eastern regions of Nepal. 

The festival involves traditional dances, singing, and rituals that honor nature, gods, and ancestors. It’s a vibrant celebration of ethnic identity.

What to Experience

• Watch the traditional Sakela dance
• Participate in cultural rituals
• Enjoy regional cuisine

11. Chhewar Ceremony

• A rite of passage for young boys

The Chhewar Ceremony, also known as the sacred thread ceremony, is a rite of passage for young boys in Hindu families. The ceremony involves the boys wearing the sacred “janai” thread and undergoing various rituals to mark their entry into adulthood.

What to Experience

• Witness the sacred rituals and offerings
• Participate in family celebrations
• Learn about the significance of the ceremony

Suggested Read: Nepal in February: Your Ultimate Guide to Exploring Magical Nepal

12. Rato Machhindranath Jatra

• A grand chariot procession

This festival is held in honor of the deity Machhindranath, and it is one of the most important and oldest festivals in the Kathmandu Valley. The main attraction is the grand chariot procession, where the idol of Machhindranath is carried through the streets of Lalitpur.

What to Experience

• Watch the famous chariot procession
• Participate in rituals and prayers
• Visit the Rato Machhindranath Temple

Suggested Read: Experience Summer in Nepal: Your Ultimate Travel Guide

13. Buddhist New Year

• Celebrating the new year in Buddhist tradition

Buddhist New Year is celebrated according to the lunar calendar. It’s observed by Buddhists across Nepal, especially in the Kathmandu Valley. The day is marked by rituals, prayers, and visiting monasteries.

What to Experience

• Participate in prayer ceremonies at monasteries
• Visit Buddhist stupas
• Light incense and candles for blessings

14. Gai Jatra

• Festival of cows

Gai Jatra, or the festival of cows, is celebrated to honor those who have passed away. People dress in colorful clothes, walk the streets with decorated cows, and participate in processions. The festival also features satire and humorous performances, making it a lively event.

What to Experience

• Watch comedic performances and street dramas
• Join in the colorful procession
• Learn about the cultural significance of the festival

Suggested Read: 21 Must-Try Nepal Famous Foods: Traditional, Street & Authentic Food

15. Buddhist Monlam Festival

• A prayer festival of compassion

Monlam, the prayer festival, is celebrated by the Buddhist community in Nepal. It is a time for Buddhists to gather and pray for peace, prosperity, and the well-being of all beings. The festival is marked by prayer flags, incense, and prayer wheels.

What to Experience

• Attend prayer ceremonies at Buddhist temples
• Light prayer flags and incense
• Participate in peaceful meditation

Suggested Read: Discover the 10 Best Inland Beaches in Nepal

16. Krishna Janmashtami

• Celebrating the birth of Lord Krishna

Krishna Janmashtami celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna, one of the most revered gods in Hinduism. Devotees gather in temples to fast, sing devotional songs, and perform rituals.

What to Experience

• Visit Krishna temples, especially in the Terai region
• Join in singing devotional songs
• Participate in night vigils and rituals

17. Maha Shivaratri

• Night worship of Lord Shiva

Maha Shivaratri is another significant festival dedicated to Lord Shiva. Devotees observe fasting and vigil throughout the night, offering prayers and performing rituals. The main celebrations take place at Pashupatinath Temple.

What to Experience

• Witness the rituals at Pashupatinath Temple
• Participate in night-long prayers
• Visit temples across Nepal for Shivaratri celebrations

Suggested Read: Embrace Spring in Nepal: Your Essential Travel Guide!

18. Kartik Purnima

• Celebrating the full moon

Kartik Purnima is celebrated on the full moon night of the Nepali month of Kartik. Pilgrims flock to the riverbanks, especially in places like Lumbini, to take ritual baths and offer prayers.

What to Experience

• Visit the riverbanks for ritual baths
• Witness the beautiful full moon night
• Participate in community prayers and offerings

19. Bisket Jatra

• A massive chariot procession of joy

Bisket Jatra is one of Nepal’s most famous festivals, celebrated in the town of Bhaktapur and other areas. It features grand chariot processions where massive wooden chariots, pulled by crowds, are carried through the streets.

What to Experience

• Watch the exciting chariot processions
• Witness the tug-of-war between different groups
• Enjoy local performances of music, dances, and traditional rituals
• Visit Bhaktapur’s ancient temples during the festival

20. Chhath Puja

• A festival dedicated to the Sun God

Chhath Puja is one of the major religious festivals in Nepal celebrated in the Terai region of Nepal. It involves worshipping the Sun God and offering prayers for health, prosperity, and well-being.

What to Experience

• Participate in rituals by the river, offering prayers to the Sun
• Observe fasting and traditional bathing in sacred rivers
• Watch the ceremonial immersion of offerings into the river
• Enjoy family gatherings and traditional foods like Thekua (fried sweets)

Why Choose OneVasco?

OneVasco makes visa applications effortless. Our expert team manages the entire process, allowing you to focus on your journey. 

Enjoy stress-free travel with fast visa approvals.

• Expert and Personalized Support 
• Efficient and Hassle-Free Process 
• Real-Time Tracking and Updates 
• Transparent Communication 
• Trusted by Millions

FAQs

What are the most popular festivals in Nepal?

Nepal celebrates a wide array of festivals, with the most popular being Dashain, Tihar, Holi, and Teej. These festivals highlight Nepal’s rich cultural diversity and are celebrated by various communities across the country.

When is Dashain celebrated in Nepal?

Dashain is the biggest and most significant festival in Nepal, celebrated by Hindus in late September or early October. It marks the victory of good over evil and the goddess Durga’s victory over the demon king Mahishasura.

How is Tihar different from Diwali?

Tihar, also known as the Festival of Lights, is celebrated similarly to Diwali in India. However, in Nepal, Tihar also includes worshipping animals like dogs, cows, and crows, along with lighting oil lamps, and fireworks, and offering prayers to Laxmi, the goddess of wealth.

What is the significance of Holi in Nepal?

Holi, the festival of colors, is widely celebrated in Nepal, especially among the Hindu community. It marks the arrival of spring and the victory of good over evil, celebrated by playing with colored powders, singing, and dancing.

What is the best time to visit Nepal for festivals?

The best time to visit Nepal for festivals is from September to November (Autumn) and March to May (Spring). These seasons offer pleasant weather along with the major festivals, allowing travelers to experience the culture and celebrations.

Are there any unique festivals celebrated in Nepal?

Yes, Nepal has unique festivals like the Indra Jatra, celebrated in Kathmandu, which honors the god Indra. Another unique festival is the Bisket Jatra in Bhaktapur, known for its chariot procession and cultural performances.

What role do traditional dances play in Nepalese festivals?

Traditional dances are an essential part of many festival in Nepal. During events like Dashain, Tihar, and Holi, people perform folk dances, showcasing Nepal’s rich cultural heritage and bringing communities together for celebration.

How do Nepali people celebrate festivals?

Nepali people celebrate festivals with family gatherings, prayers, feasts, and various rituals. Special foods are prepared, and there is a focus on community bonding, with traditional music, dances, and offerings to deities to mark the significance of each festival.