Nepal is the land of festivities, a country of days and deities; innumerable religious days and deities are as if the life and blood of the people living here. Not a single month passes without the observance of a festivity of one sort or the other, nor a single locality is there without the site or route of a religious deity. Then there are tribes that worship nature, the spirit living in the rivers and the forests. It is estimated that 90 % of the festivals in Nepal have a religious origin and many interesting fables attached to it.
Thus, the festivals quite often begin with religious ceremonies and move up with the spontaneous social spirit and end up with friendly feasts and fun. This has been the Nepalese way of celebrating since time immemorial.
It is worth mentioning that the same day/festival is sometimes celebrated by the various cultural groups in different socio-cultural contexts, calling it by different names.
Here is a comprehensive list of festivals celebrated either nationally or in certain parts of the country by certain ethnoreligious groups. Augmented are some important National holidays too.
Note: Almost all of Nepalese festivals follow the lunar calendar, hence the dates of most of the festivals vary every year.
Here is the Festival Calendar for the Year 2079 BS.
| Festival | When | Where | Why/How | Public Holiday |
| Nepali New Year | Baisakh 1
14 April |
Nationwide | First day of New Year 2079 BS | Yes |
| Bisket Jatra | Baisakh 1
14 April (Starts on Chaitra 28, 10 April) |
Bhaktapur | Bisket Jatra is celebrated to commemorate the First day of the Nepalese Year. | Yes |
| Sindur Jatra
|
Baisakh 2
15 April
|
Thimi | Sindoor Jatra Marks the arrival of Spring, the people of Thimi carry the Khats (palanquin) bearing gods’ images around the town. | No |
| Jibro Chedne Jatra | Baisakh 2
15 April
|
Bode | Individual gets their tongue pierced, using traditional practices. This unique festival of tongue-piercing is a major highlight in the Biska Jatra celebration in Bode. | No |
| Hanuman Jayanti | Baisakh 3
16 April |
Nationwide | Hindus mainly in Terai, Southern Nepal, organize a street parade in honour of Hanuman the Monkey God, to commemorate his Birthday. | No |
| Baisakhi | Baisakh 3
21 April |
Nationwide | To commemorate the first day of Baisakh (same as Nepali New year) by the Sikh community of Nepal | Only to the Sikh Community of Nepal. |
| Mata Tirtha Aunshi/ Aama Ko Mukh Herne Din
(Mother’s day) |
Baisakh 17
30 April |
Nationwide | Children pay homage to their mother and if she’s passed on, a prayer to her spirit is made at Matatirtha Pond on the outskirts of Kathmandu, or at the Pashupatinath Temple. | No |
| Labour Day | Baisakh 18
1 May |
Nationwide | Marks the International Labour Day. | Yes |
| Eid Ul Fitr | Baisakh 20
3 May |
Nationwide | Eid Ul Fitr is a month-long fast-breaking festival celebrated by Islam Community nationwide.
|
Yes |
| Rato Macchedranath Festival | Baisakh 21
4 May |
Patan District | A Chariot procession of Rato Macchedranath (the God of Rain) starts at Pulchok of Patan amongst massive fanfare. The Chariot is pulled through the ancient streets of Patan and goes on for few more days. It is one of the longest street carnivals of Kathmandu Valley. | No |
| Nepalese Local Election | Baisakh 30
13 May |
Nationwide | Nepalese local elections on May 13, 2022 AD (Baisakh 30, 2079 BS), in 6 metropolitan cities, 11 sub-metropolitan cities, 276 municipalities, and 460 rural municipalities will be the second local level election to be held since the promulgation of the new constitution.
|
Yes |
| Buddha Jayanti | Jestha 2
16 May |
Nationwide | Birth, Enlightenment & Demise day of Shakyamuni Buddha. | Yes |
| Ubhauli Parba | Jestha 2
16 May |
Nationwide by Kirants | Celebrated by Kirants to worship their land. | Yes |
| Tiji Festival | Jestha 13-15
27-29 May |
Upper Mustang | Tiji is a fascinating annual three-day festival consisting of Tibetan rituals that celebrate the myth of a son who had to save the Mustang kingdom from destruction. | No |
| Republic Day | Jestha 15
29 May |
Nationwide | Nepal celebrates “Ganatantra Diwas”, the Republic Day representing the end of the country’s centuries-long monarchy and declaring Nepal as the Federal Democratic Republic. | Yes |
| Sithi Nakha | Jestha 22
5 June |
Kathmandu Valley | This day marks the beginning of the planting season in Nepal and is a designated day for cleaning wells, tanks, stone spouts and ponds to propitiate Basundhara, the Mother Earth. | No |
| Dahi Chiura Khane Din | Asadh 15
29 June |
Nationwide | Celebrated by eating yoghurt and bitten rice which supposedly cures skin disease.
This day is also officially marked as rice planting day. However, rice planting depends upon the arrival of the monsoon. |
No |
| Eid al-Adha
|
Ashad 22
9 July |
Eid al-Adha, or the “Feast of Sacrifice,” signifies the willingness of the Prophet Ibrahim, known as Abraham in Christianity and Judaism, to sacrifice his son, Ismail as ordered by Allah. | Yes | |
| Harisayani Ekadashi | Ashad 23
10 July |
Aka Thuli Ekadashi, devotees plant Tulsi (the holy basil) on this day and observe fast in the name of Lord Vishnu. | No | |
| Bhanu Jayanti | Asadh 29
11 July |
Nationwide | Celebrated to commemorate the birth anniversary of the first poet of Nepal, Adikabi Bhanu Bhakta Acharya. | No |
| Guru Purnima
(The Teachers Day) |
Asadh 29
11 July |
Nationwide | Paying homage to the teachers.
Students and schools organize a special program for their teachers on this day. |
No |
| Guriya Parba | Shrawan 1
17 July |
Southern Nepal | It’s a Children’s festival that celebrates the unbreakable love and affection between siblings and is celebrated by Nepalese living in Southern Nepal. | No |
| Gunla Parba begins | Shrawan 13
29 July |
Buddhist Newars of Kathmandu | Newar Buddhists recite the scriptures, observe fasts and visit places of worship playing devotional music for one whole month. | No |
| Naag Panchami | Shrawan 17
02 August |
Nationwide | Hindus worship Naag (serpents) whose burrows are unlivable due to overflow of water during monsoon, with a request not to enter their house or harm their family members. | No |
| Janai Purnima/Rakchya Bandhan | Shrawan 27
12 August |
Nationwide | People tie a sacred thread on the wrist for protection, those wearing Janai will change them on this day. It’s also an auspicious day for Shamans of hilly Nepal, plus a day to celebrate siblinghood, sisters tie rakhi bracelet on brothers’ wrist. | Yes |
| Gai Jatra | Shrawan 28
13 August |
Kathmandu valley | People parade in the guise of cows and hermits begging alms from door to door to commemorate the death of loved ones. | Yes, (Kathmandu only) |
| Shree Krishna Janmashtami | Bhadra 03
19 August |
Nationwide | Celebrated to commemorate the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna | Yes |
| Kushe Aunshi/
Buwa ko Mukh Herne Din (Father’s Day) |
Bhadra 11
27 August |
Nationwide | Children pay homage to their father and if he’s passed on, a prayer to his spirit is made at Gokarna or at the Pashupatinath Temple. | No |
| Gunla Parba ends | Bhadra 12
28 August |
Buddhist Newars of Kathmandu | Newar Buddhists recite the scriptures, observe fasts and visit places of worship playing devotional music for one whole month. | No |
| Haritalika Teej | Bhadra 14
30 August |
Nationwide | Married women fast praying for the long life & good health of one’s husband, whereas unmarried fasts in hopes of getting a suitable match like Lord Shiva. | Yes (women only) |
| Ganesh Chaturthi | Bhadra 15
31 August |
Nationwide | A day to commemorate the birthday of the elephant-headed Hindu God “Ganesh” | No |
| Rishi Panchami | Bhadra 16
1 September |
Nationwide | Women and also girls who had their menses make a special bath in the mornings and worship the Sapta Rishi (7 Holy Sages) and their wife Arundhati asking forgiveness for the sins they have committed during the 4 days of the monthly cycle. | No |
| Gaura Parba | Bhadra 18
3 September |
Western Nepal | Hindu Women of Western Nepal celebrate this festival by worshipping Goddess Gauri for their husbands’ long and healthy life. | No |
| Chepang Chonam Parba | Bhadra 25
10 September |
Chepang Community | Chepang Community, one of the tribal kind of Nepal celebrate the day to commemorate the first day their New year. | No |
| Sorah Shraddha begins | Bhadra 23
11 September |
Nationwide | This day marks the beginning of sixteen days of Ancestor worship right before Dashain.
People perform rites to all the deceased as back as seven generations. |
No |
| National Children’s Day | Bhadra 29
14 September |
Nationwide | Celebrated to promote international togetherness, awareness among children worldwide, and improving children’s welfare. | No |
| Bishwakarma Puja | Asojh 1
17 September |
Nationwide | The birthday of Bishwakarma, This Divine Architect in Hindu Mythology. | No |
| Jitiya Parba
(Jiwit Putrika) |
Asojh 2
18 September |
Madhesi Mothers of Terai region | Mothers of Terai region (Southern Nepal) worship God Jitmahan Gosain and fast for 24 hours for the well being of their living Children. | Yes, (women only) |
| Constitution Day | Asojh 3
19 September |
Nationwide | Nepal’s Constituent Assembly adopted the new constitution in 2015 after deliberating on it for seven years. | Yes |
| Indra Jatra | Asojh 3
19 September |
Kathmandu valley | The eight-day long Newari festival to worship Lord Indra and his mother Dagini concludes on this day. It is celebrated to ensure the upcoming harvest. | Yes, (Kathmandu only) |
| Sorah Shraddha (Last Day) | Asojh 9
25 September |
Nationwide | This day marks the beginning of sixteen days of Ancestor worship right before Dashain.
People perform rites to all the deceased as back as seven generations. |
No |
| Ghatasthapana | Asojh 10
26 September |
Nationwide | First day of Dashain Festival.
On this day, people plant Jamara seeds that are reaped and given as blessings to junior family members along with tika on the Dashain day. This also marks the beginning of Nauratha or Navaratri, when nine different forms of Goddess Durga is worshipped every day. |
Yes |
| Phulpati
(Saptami) |
Asojh 16
2 October |
Nationwide | Seventh-day of Dashain.
People bring in nine different types of Phulpati (flowers and leaves) home to include in the veneration of Saptami puja. |
Yes |
| Maha Ashtami | Asojh 17
3 October |
Nationwide | Eighth-day of Dashain.
People worship tools and vehicles, sacrifice animals at home and at Goddess Durga temples. |
Yes |
| Maha Navami | Asojh 18
4 October |
Nationwide | Ninth-day of Dashain
People worship tools and vehicles, sacrifice animals at home and at Goddess Durga temples. |
Yes |
| Dashain/ Bada Dashain/ Vijaya Dashami | Asojh 19
5 October |
Nationwide | Tenth-day and main day of Dashain
It is a joyous day when families visit each other to receive Tika and Jamara blessings, they make merry by playing cards, singing, dancing while hosting a big feast. Linge Ping (bamboo swing) is very famous in this season. It is believed that mount this Linge ping and one has to untouch the earth on this day. |
Yes |
| Kojagrat Purnima | Asojh 23
9 October |
Nationwide | Fifteenth/ concluding day of Dashain.
A day to worship Goddess Laxmi (goddess of wealth) and make vigil all night. |
No |
| Dhanteras | Kartik 5
22 October |
Nationwide | To commemorate Tihar, the festival of lights, people on this day buy precious metals and worship it on the Laxmi puja day. | No |
| Kaag Tihar | Kartik 6
23 October |
Nationwide | The first day of Tihar, the festival of lights. | No |
| Laxmi Puja/Kukur Tihar | Kartik 7
24 October |
Nationwide | The dogs are worshipped this day as Yama’s gatekeeper on the occasion of Kukur PUja
Usually, Laxmi Puja falls on the third day but due to Tithi overlaps the day is on the second day of Tihar. Laxmi, the goddess of wealth and fortune is worshipped at night. Houses are cleaned and decked with hopes for Laxmi to stop by and bless the family members. |
Yes |
| Gai Puja | Kartik 8
25 October |
Nationwide | It’s the main day of Tihar when cows are worshipped in the mornings to thank for the food essentials they provide. | Yes |
| Gobardhan Puja/ Mha Puja/
Nyudaya Bhintuna |
Kartik 9
27 October |
Nationwide | People worship Ox for their contribution to the farm throughout the year.
This day also commemorates the day when Lord Krishna lifted Gobardhan hill on his pinky finger to save Gopala people from torrential rain. Mha Puja is worship of oneself by the Newar Community and this day also marks their New Years day called Nyudaya Bhintuna |
Yes |
| Bhaitika | Kartik 10
27 October |
Nationwide | Last day of Tihar.
It is celebrated to strengthen siblinghood ties. Sisters on this day perform special worship for brothers’ long and healthy life and also pray to Yama that no brother-sister are separated by death on this day. |
Yes |
| Chhat Parba | Kartik 13
30 October |
Nationwide | The biggest festival in Terai, Southern Nepal involves the worship of the Sun god and his sister Chhati Mai. | Yes |
| Haribodhini Ekadashi | Kartik 8
4 November |
Nationwide | The Tulsi planted on Harisayani Ekadashi is married to Lord Vishnu on this day, and devotees fast all day long. | No |
| Guru Nanak Jayanti | Kartik 23
9 November |
Sikhs | Celebrated to commemorate the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak, the first Sikh Guru. | Only to sikhs |
| Mahaguru Falgunanda Jayanti | Kartik 25
11 November |
Kirant Community of Nepal | The birth anniversary of Kiranti Guru Falgunanada | Yes |
| Bala Chaturdashi/
Satbij Charne Din |
Mangshir 6
22 November |
Nationwide | Bereaved family members observe a ritual in the remembrance of deceased ones. They keep vigil all night and offer satbij (seven varieties of paddy seeds) in a traverse path around the Pashupatinath temple the next day after a holy dip in Bagmati river at the break of dawn. | No |
| Bibaha Panchami | Mangshir 12
28 November |
Nationwide | A holy to day to commemorate Sita-Ram marriage ceremony | Yes |
| Udhauli Parba | Mangshir 22
8 December |
Nationwide | Kiranti clan celebrate Udhauli Parba to commemorate the setting in of the Winter Season.
Newar clan celebrate Yomari Punhi by making a special sweet called Yomari, to mark the end of the harvesting season of the year. |
Yes |
| Christmas | Poush 10
25 December |
Nationwide | Celebrated to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ. | Yes |
| Tamu Loshar | Poush 15
30 December |
Nationwide by Gurungs | A New Year celebration of Gurung Community. | Yes |
| Tol Loshar | Poush 19
3 January |
People of Humla, Dolpa, Mugu and Manang | Tol means Time-cycle.
It is one of the oldest Lhosar (New Year) celebrated by the Indigenous community from Humla, Dolpa, Mugu and Manang districts. |
No |
| Sri Swasthani Brata Katha begins (a month long) | Poush 22
6 January |
Kathmandu | This day marks the beginning of a sacred and month-long ritual when devotees read the holy scripture of Goddess Swasthani every day and observe fast. | No |
| Madhav Narayan Jatra begins (a month long) | Poush 22
6 January |
Bhaktapur | Hindu devotees of Bhaktapur make prostrations and carry out Kalasha Yatra in honour of Lord Vishnu, who in this month is called as Madhav Narayan. | No |
| Prithvi Jayanti/ National Unity Day | Poush 27
1 January |
The day to commemorate the birth anniversary of Prithvi Narayan Shah, the unifier of Nepal. | No | |
| Maghe Sankranti/
Maghi |
Magh 1
15 January |
Nationwide | The first day of the Sun’s transit into Makara Rashi, (Capricorn) marking the end of the month with the winter solstice.
A very special day for the Tharu community of Southern Nepal and also the Magars of Hills. |
Yes |
| Sonam Loshar | Magh 8
22 January |
Tamang Community | A New year celebrated by Tamang Community. | Yes |
| Basanta Panchami/ Saraswati Puja | Magh 13
26 January |
Nationwide | This day officially heralds Spring.
Students worship the Goddess of wisdom Saraswati and children of age 3 also learn their first alphabets on this day with the Goddess’ blessings. |
No |
| Sri Swasthani Brata Katha Samapti | Falgun 22
5 February |
Kathmandu | A month-long sacred festival of Goddess Swasthani concludes on this day.
Devotees break their fast and celibacy with a big ritual. |
No |
| Madhav Narayan Jatra ends | Falgun 22
5 February |
Bhaktapur | Hindu devotees of Bhaktapur make prostrations and carry out Kalasha Yatra in honour of Lord Vishnu, who in this month is called as Madhav Narayan. | No |
| Maha Shiva Ratri | Falgun 6
18 February |
Nationwide | Birth anniversary of Lord Shiva.
Devotees throng the Pashupatinath temple and other Shiva temples and fast for Him to seek blessings for one’s family. |
Yes |
| National Democracy Day
(Election day) |
Falgun 7
19 February |
It is the day when Nepal saw the downfall of Rana Regime that ruled Nepal for 104 years old and Democracy was established in Nepal. | Yes | |
| Gyalpo Loshar | Falgun 9
21 February |
Sherpa Community | A New year celebrated by Sherpa Community. | Yes |
| Fagu Purnima/Holi | Falgun 22
6 March |
Hills and Himalayas | Festival of colours/ Spring Festival is celebrated joyously throughout the nation by smearing colours on people’s face and throwing water balloons at each other. | Yes |
| Fagu Purnima/Holi | Falgun 23
7 March |
Terai Only | Festival of colours/ Spring Festival is celebrated joyously throughout the nation by smearing colours on people’s face and throwing water balloons at each other. | Yes |
| Naari Diwas | Falgun 24
8 March |
Nationwide | International Women’s Day | Yes |
| Ghode Jatra | Chaitra 7
21 March |
Kathmandu | Horses are paraded at Tundikhel grounds in presence of the President, Prime Minister and other dignitaries.
The Newars celebrate it by paying homage to local goddesses and organizing feast in the family. |
Yes, (Kathmandu only) |
| Matshya Jayanti | Chaitra 10
24 March |
Nationwide | Celebrated in honour of Matshyendranath, the fish incarnation of Lord Vishnu. | No |
| Chaitra Dashain | Chaitra 15
29 March |
Nationwide | aka Sano-Dashain or mini Dashain. Celebrated with equal enthusiasm as main Dashain that falls in Autumn. | No |
| Seto Machhendranath Jatra | Chaitra 15
29 March |
Kathmandu | The idol of Seto Macchendranath/Avalokiteshwara is paraded through the ancient streets of Kathmandu. | No |
| Ram Navami | Chaitra 16
30 March |
Nationwide | Celebrated to commemorate the birth of Lord Ram. | No |
| Hanuman Jayanti | Chaitra 26
6 April |
Nationwide | Hindus mainly in Terai, Southern Nepal, organize a street parade in honour of Hanuman the Monkey God, to commemorate his Birthday. | No |
Featured Photo of Rato Macchendranath Chariot at Pulchok.
