List of festivals in Nepal
nepal stand unique example secular multicultural nation diverse festival joyfully celebrated within community nepal individual varying religious background coexist neighborhood society fostering spirit unity come together share celebration multitude festival thus sharing joy happiness sorrow harmonious whole dashain nepali दशैं daśãi also baḍādaśhãin बडादशैं bijayā daśamī nepali बिजया दशमी daylong festival holiday nepal longest auspicious festival nepalese annual calendar celebrated nepalese hindu people throughout globe longest festival country also one anticipated one popular country nepal hindu festival dashain festival fall september october starting shukla paksha bright lunar fortnight month ashvin ending purnima full moon among day celebrated important day first seventh eighth ninth tenth tenth day important throughout country shakti worshiped manifestation festival also known emphasis family gathering well renewal community tie people return part world well different part country celebrate together government office educational institution private office remain closed festival holiday period significance dashain symbolizes victory good evil follower shaktism represents bare victory goddess shakti hindu mythology demon mahishasura created terror devaloka world god live durga killed demon first nine day dashain symbolizes battle took place different manifestation durga mahishasura tenth day day durga finally defeated hindu festival symbolizes victory rama ravana recounted ramayana nepal hindu ethnic group celebrate festival variation among newars known swanti festival celebrated trayodashi kartik krishna kartik shukla dwitiya every year tihar general signifies festival light diyas lit inside outside house make illuminate night fiveday festival considered great importance show reverence human god also animal crow cow dog maintain intense relationship human people make pattern floor living room courtyard using material colored rice dry flour colored sand flower petal outside house called rangoli meant sacred welcoming area hindu deity celebration gambler found street gambler known make extreme bet staking property time daughter wife jewelry tihar nepali तिहार also known deepawali yamapanchak swanti newar स्वन्ती fiveday hindu festival celebrated nepal tihar analogous indian festival diwali festival light significant difference like diwali tihar marked lighting diyas inside outside home unlike indian festival five day tihar include celebration worship four creature associated hindu god death yama final day reserved people according vikram samvat calendar festival begin kaag crow tihar trayodashi kartik krishna paksha th day waning moon end bhai brother tika dwitiya kartik sukla paksha every year gregorian calendar festival fall sometime october november every year year ad b tihar start th november th kartik end th november th kartik celebrated yamaraj taking time job ruling world meeting sister yamuna fifth day yamapanchak part tihar festival men visit house sister sister put tika mark forehead garland around neck sister pray long prosperous life brother men touch foot sister whereby grand meal sel roti sweetmeat enjoyable thing eat served sister brother house return receives gift money clothes ornament etc context nepal chhath nepali छठ छठी छठ पर्व छठ पुजा डाला छठ डाला पुजा सुर्य षष्ठी festival terai region nepal celebrated nepalese people tharus indigenous bhojpuriyas maithils madhesi ethnic group major part nepal including kathmandu capital city country modern day chhath even celebrated hill pahari people government nepal declares public holiday nepal chhath festival hindu festival dedicated hindu sun god surya chhathi maiya ancient vedic goddess usha chhath puja performed order thank surya sustaining life earth request granting certain wish sun considered god energy lifeforce worshiped chhath festival promote wellbeing prosperity progress hinduism sun worship believed help cure variety disease including leprosy help ensure longevity prosperity family member friend elder ritual festival rigorous observed period four day include holy bathing fasting abstaining drinking water vratta standing water long period time offering prashad prayer offering arghya setting rising sun biska jatra biska jatra annually celebrated festival bhaktapur celebrated new year bikram sambat different idol god goddess placed chariot called kha taken different part bhaktapur second biggest festival people bhaktapur dashain celebrated week bhaktapur grand feast organized different part bhaktapur similarly madhyapur thimi part bhaktapur people celebrate festival smearing color others another part thimi named bode celebrates festival tonguepiercing resident belonging shrestha family biska jatra also celebrated place like dhulikhel khadpu sanga tokha bajra yogini originally celebrated buddhist also celebrated hindu rd baisakh temple kharg yogini found manichur mountain near sankhu weeklong festival fire burned vicinity temple near image human head image goddess placed khat wooden shrine carried town men famous festival bajrayogini fair celebrated fullmoon day inside temple god red color three eye siti jatra take place st jeth bank bisnumati kathmandu swoyambhunath people feast afterwards divide two team contest stone throwing competition match serious affair anybody knocked captured party sacrificed goddess kankeshwari modern time however light hearted affair mostly among child festival refers celebration expulsion rakshasa demon country held th sawan newars make straw figure beat drag around street figure burned sunset day people also wear iron metal belief keep away demon festival celebrated twice year th sawan th bhadon banras priest newar buddhist visit house receive small offering grain rice commemorate ancestor permitted trade newars decorate shop house picture flower woman sit large basket rice grain dispense banras celebrated late night janai purnima also known rakshyabandhan festival take place full moon day shrawan ie shrawan purnima every year year fall th bhadra celebrated hindu hindu related religion like buddhist jain belonging aumkaar ॐ कार family buddhist bath sacred stream visit temple brahman priest offer ornamental thread wrist follower return receive gift many pilgrim visit gosainkunda bath sacred lake mainly people brahmin chettri community change sacred around neck nag panchami take place th shrawan commemorate battle nag garur stone image garur changu narayan said perspire festival priest sent wipe perspiration handkerchief later present king water used make snake bite remedy despite fact snake inhabiting nepal belief nag panchami day welcoming festival nepal krishna janmashtami celebrated th bhadon memory lord krishna shop house adorned celebration losar lochhar festival celebrated tamang gurung sherpa himalayan community nepal sonam lhosar celebrated tamangs gyalpo lhosar sherpa tamu lhosar celebrated gurungs gai jatra newar festival held month bhadra newars lost loved one year traditionally disguised cow danced around palace king however modern time ceremony performed masked dance singing song gaijatra festival cow gai mean cow jatra mean festival nepali गाईजात्रा nepal bhasa सापारु celebrated nepal mainly kathmandu valley newars also grand festival jumla celebrated people caste festival commemorates death people year festival cow marched street generally celebrated nepalese month bhadra august–september fall st day dark fortnight gunla according lunar nepal era calendar people also distributes food others festival cow one popular festival nepal whole complex gaijatra festival root ancient age people feared worshiped yamaraj god death however ironic session synonymous gaijatra festival entered tradition medieval period nepal reign malla king hence present form gaijatra happy blending antiquity medieval era according tradition since time immemorial every family lost one relative past year must participate procession street kathmandu leading cow cow unavailable young boy dressed cow considered fair substitute hinduism cow regarded venerated among domestic animal believed cow revered holy animal hindu help deceased relative journey heaven according historical evidence king pratap malla lost son wife queen remained griefstricken king sad see condition beloved queen king spite several effort could lessen grief wife desperately wanted see little smile lip sweetheart announced anyone made queen laugh would rewarded adequately festival gaijatra cow procession brought griefstricken queen participant began ridiculing befooling important people society finally social injustice evil highlighted attacked mercilessly queen could help smile queen laughed king instituted tradition including joke satire mockery lampoon gaijatra celebration procession afternoon nearly everyone take part another ageold tradition participant dress wear mask occasion filled song joke mockery humor every kind become order day late evening hence gaijatra healthy festival enables people accept reality death prepare life death according hinduism whatever man life preparation leading good life death festival take place nd bhadra dancer dressed tiger costume today merely repetition gai jatra festival indra jatra festival begin th bhadra last eight day festival held early mid september mark end rainy season first day lofty wooden post erected king palace durbar site dancer across nepal perform mask earthquake ever occurred opening day festival considered bad omen festival would restarted third day young virgin brought king worshiped carried kathmandu mounted oar highlight parading kumari devi living god kathmandu special chariot built purpose chariot parked outside kumar devi house kathmandu durbar square mohani nakha corresponds dashain one year grandest celebration newars event involves family gathering outdoor function last ten daysthe newar people plant barley seedling nalswa first day dashain seedling workshipped grown next seven day day asthami newar family get together newari grand feast including variety food called kuchhibhvayaon ninth daynavami tradition slaughter animal organ male family following oldest youngest ninth day main day mohani sinha prepared burning lamp night mud saucerpala tenth day concludes dashain mohani nakha receiving tika harvested barley seedlingsnaalswa elder blessing piece khokha read white cloth around neck festival fall th day dark fortnight month kartik mangsir novemberdecember according lunar calendar one important ritual bala chaturdashi satbij chharne sowing seven seed devotee gather sacred pashupatinath temple kathmandu holy site participate ritual sow seed seven different grain wheat barley sesame rice maize millet black gram along temple premise holy bagmati river ritual performed early morning sunrise devotee light oil lamp diyo carry procession around temple lighting lamp symbolizes dispelling darkness ignorance believed guide soul deceased taking holy dip sacred bagmati river nearby river considered essential part festival act believed purify soul body preparing devotee ritual follow eve bala chaturdashi devotee stay awake entire night singing hymn chanting prayer reciting scripture night vigil known jagaran held purify mind body seek blessing deceased bala chaturdashi time individual reflection ritual also time community bonding people come together share food participate ritual collectively foster sense unity shared spiritual purpose among participant first day month kartik many woman go temple pashupati remain entire month fasting drinking water woman died fasting majority generally survive last day month known purnima night spent rejoicing success fasting singing dancing night ganesh chauthi festival held th magh honor lord ganesh god wisdom day spent fasting worshipping ended feasting night maghe sankranti observed month january first day month magh bringing end illomened month poush religious ceremony forbidden day sun leaf southernmost position take northward journey maghe sankranti similar solstice festival many tradition people participate holy bathing festival auspicious food like laddoo ghee sweet potato etc distributed mother house wish good health family member according mahabharata king bhishma power control death happened choose die day maghe sakranti therefore believed die day might achieve moksha release rebirth cycle basanta panchami celebration knowledge spring nepal day basanta panchami saraswati puja festival mark arrival spring celebrates goddess wisdom saraswati nepal day joy devotion fresh start especially student seeking knowledge saraswati puja also known basanta panchami celebrated nepal fifth day bright half nepali month magh usually fall late january early february according gregorian calendar exact date varies year based lunar calendar saraswati puja celebrated february th auspicious day basanta panchami entire nation come alive festivity morning begin devotee taking ritual bath donning yellow clothes symbolizing bright blooming mustard flower herald spring temple home adorned marigold garland sweet fragrance incense fill air centerpiece celebration worship saraswati goddess knowledge music art wisdom student scholar gather saraswati temple educational institution carrying book pen musical instrument seek blessing goddess believed saraswati bestows gift knowledge wisdom day making particularly significant student school college special ceremony held honor saraswati teacher student come together perform puja worship involves offering flower fruit sweet special yellow rice known basanta rice deity idol saraswati placed decorated altar air resonates melodious chant saraswati vandana या कुन्देन्दुतुषारहारधवला या शुभ्रवस्त्रावृता या वीणावरदण्डमण्डितकरा या श्वेतपद्मासना । या ब्रह्माच्युतशंकरप्रभृतिभिर्देवैः सदा वन्दिता सा मां पातु सरस्वती भगवती निःशेषजाड्यापहा ॥ translation may goddess saraswati fair jasmine flower moon snow adorned white garment hold veena hand seated white lotus always adored brahma vishnu shiva god protect remove ignorance completely importance student student basanta panchami festival day renewal hope believe seeking saraswatis blessing excel study artistic endeavor book instrument touched puja symbolizing reverence knowledge day also mark beginning new educational journey many young child often initiated learning ritual akshar abhyas first writing auspicious occasion basanta panchami also signifies arrival spring bringing sense rejuvenation joy mustard field turn yellow chirping bird add festive spirit kathmandu basantapur durbar square become hub cultural activity music dance traditional performance celebrating season basanta panchami beautiful blend cultural religious seasonal celebration nepal underscore importance knowledge wisdom learning welcoming vibrancy renewal spring student day deep significance filled ritual prayer academic success personal growth chant saraswati vandana echo temple home entire nation come together honor goddess wisdom advent new season holi known festival color one vibrant widely celebrated festival nepal mark arrival spring victory good evil holi celebrated immense enthusiasm joy togetherness brings people age background together splash color holi fall nepali month falgun फाल्गुन typically corresponds february march gregorian calendar exact date holi determined lunar calendar varies year celebrated full moon day falgun known falgun purnima holis timing nepali calendar aligns arrival spring symbolizing new beginning triumph good evil making one significant joyous festival nepal history mythological significance origin holi rooted ancient hindu tradition believed celebrated since time immemorial reference various ancient hindu scripture purana dasakumara charita popular mythological story associated holi tale prahlada holika prahlada devout follower lord vishnu father demon king hiranyakashipu opposed vishnu sought kill prahlada hiranyakashipus sister holika boon made immune fire tried kill prahlada taking blazing fire instead burnt ash prahlada emerged unscathed event symbolizes victory good evil commemorated lighting bonfire eve holi known holika dahan celebration nepal nepal holi celebrated great zeal enthusiasm festival typically last two day first day known chhoti holi holika dahan involves lighting bonfire signify burning away evil second day known rangwali holi dhuli fagu purnima day people play color kathmandu valley especially basantapur durbar square thamel patan epicenter holi celebration nepal festivity grand local tourist alike coming together celebrate region pokhara baglung also see large gathering vibrant celebration nationallevel celebrity holi significant impact tourism nepal colorful joyous celebration attract tourist world eager experience unique festival special event musical performance cultural show organized cater tourist boosting local economy promoting cultural exchange holi continues important cultural social festival nepal promotes unity friendship people come together celebrate breaking social barrier caste creed age also serf occasion family reunite celebrate together recent incident holi generally time joy festivity unfortunate incident recent year accident injury report accident due people driving recklessly celebration several minor accident reported kathmandu due drunk driving unruly behavior holi water balloon injury instance throwing water balloon use harmful chemical color led injury skin reaction authority advising public use organic safe color large gathering sometimes lead stampede crowd control issue minor stampede occurred basantapur durbar square causing injury participant holi vibrant joyous festival hold great cultural social significance nepal brings people together spirit celebration unity essential mindful safety responsible behavior ensure festival remains joyful memorable experience influx tourist holi also highlight festival role promoting nepal rich cultural heritage global stage bathing festival newars bathe bagmati river magh last day month bather carried procession ornamented dolis lying back lighted lamp known chirags chest arm leg bather bear earthen water pot head perforated straw water seeps sprinkle passer traditionally bather wear green spectacle protect eye spark lamp contact pahan charhe one festival kathmandu luku māhādev meaning mahadev enshrined ground worshipped portable shrine containing image mother goddess paraded street traditionally th chait horse pony belonging government servant assembled grand parade ground entered race front king top official stationed around central monument monument bore sir jung bahadurs statue event gambling allowed two day night festival end illumination monument bahadurs statue four dragon monument moved newly built temple honor hence location festival moved jana bāhā dyah jātrā chariot procession jana baha dyah bodhisattva compassion held annually kathmandu festival image jana bāhā dyah removed temple jana baha installed car built shape tower wheel chariot drawn center kathmandu three day image bunga dyah rato machhendranath placed tall chariot pulled stage street patan month longest chariot procession held country christmas celebrated christian community nepal eid alfitr celebrated muslim community nepal chhechu ceremony tamang community take place northwest kathmandu valley nepal course ten day contains sportive play tsema exorcism ritual eleven tsema performed three exorcism yomari punhi newari festival marking end rice harvest take place novemberdecember full moon day thinlā थिंला second month lunar nepal era calendar day yomari made rice flour stuffing inside steamed later celebrated name goddess annapurnathe filling inside dish mainly condensed milk called khuwa molasses chaku according myth couple suchandra krita played flour gave shape yomari fortunately villager loved taste god kuber disguised passer also offered dish liked lot couple blessed richness celebration hold special date newar community sakela main festival kirat khambu rais festival celebrated twice year ubhauli full moon day baisakh udhauli full moon day mangsir nwagi celebrated prior eating harvested food crop yele sambat also known yaledong rai people maghe sankranti also celebrate day yele sambat calendar named first kirat king yalambar wadangmi festival wadangmi major festival rai community dhankuta district celebrated month octobernovember festival may practiced within ethnic group nepal notable limbu festival chasok tangnam also known udhauli also celebrated mangsirs purnima kakphekwa tangnam kusang tangnam celebrated maghe sankranti new year limbus sisekwa tangnam celebrated srawans purnima balihang tangnam limbu version tihar festival public holiday nepal national paddy day major festival nepal picture dashain nepal