Nepali Festivals Explained: Dashain, Tihar, Holi and Their Significance

Nepal has more festivals than days in the year. With its blend of Hindu and Buddhist traditions, every month brings celebrations that pause daily life, fill streets with colour, and bring families together. For Nepalis living abroad, these festivals are the strongest connection to home. For visitors, they are a window into Nepal's cultural soul. This guide explains Nepal's major festivals — their significance, traditions, and what you can expect.

Dashain — Nepal's Biggest Festival

Dashain is Nepal's longest and most important festival — a 15-day celebration honouring the goddess Durga's victory over the buffalo demon Mahishasura. It is the Nepali equivalent of Christmas in scale and emotional weight. In 2026 (BS 2083), Dashain runs from October 12 to October 25.

Significance

Dashain celebrates the triumph of good over evil. The goddess Durga, created from the combined energy (shakti) of all the gods, defeated Mahishasura after a nine-day battle. The festival also marks the harvest season — a time of abundance and gratitude.

Key Days

• Ghatasthapana (Day 1) — Sowing of jamara (sacred barley seeds) in a sand-filled pot. The pot is kept in a dark prayer room and the seeds grow into yellow-green shoots used for tika.
• Fulpati (Day 7) — Royal flowers and sacred plants are brought to Kathmandu. Military parades at Tundikhel.
• Maha Ashtami (Day 8) — The bloodiest day. Animal sacrifices (goats, buffaloes, ducks) at temples, especially Hanuman Dhoka and Taleju Temple (open to public this one day only).
• Maha Nawami (Day 9) — Continued sacrifices and worship. Vehicles, tools, and weapons are blessed.
• Vijaya Dashami (Day 10) — The main tika day. Elders apply red tika (vermilion, yogurt, and rice) and place jamara on the foreheads of younger family members, with blessings and money (dakshina). Families visit relatives for tika throughout the following five days.
• Kojagrat Purnima (Day 15) — The full moon day. The festival concludes with worship of Laxmi, goddess of wealth.

What You Will See

• Cities emptying as people travel to ancestral villages — the largest annual migration in Nepal
• Bamboo swings (ping) built in every village
• Kite flying from rooftops — meant to remind the gods to send good weather
• New clothes, family feasts, and homes decorated with marigolds
• Foreheads covered with red tika and yellow jamara

Tihar — The Festival of Lights

Tihar (also called Deepawali or Yama Panchak) is a five-day festival of lights that follows Dashain by about two weeks. In 2026 (BS 2083), Tihar runs from November 7 to November 11. It is visually the most beautiful festival in the Nepali calendar — homes are lit with oil lamps, candles, and electric lights, and doorways are d with marigold garlands.

The Five Days

1. Kaag Tihar (Day 1) — Crows are worshipped and offered food. Crows are considered the messengers of Yama, the god of death.
2. Kukur Tihar (Day 2) — Dogs are honoured with garlands, tika, and special food. Dogs are believed to guard the gates of the afterlife. This day has become internationally famous — search "Nepal dog festival" online.
3. Gai Tihar / Laxmi Puja (Day 3) — Cows are worshipped in the morning (the sacred animal in Hinduism). In the evening, Laxmi, goddess of wealth, is welcomed into homes with oil lamps, candles, and rangoli designs on the floor. Girls sing bhailo songs door to door, blessing homes in exchange for money and food.
4. Goru Puja / Mha Puja / Govardhan Puja (Day 4) — Oxen are worshipped. In the Newar community, Mha Puja is performed — a ritual purification and worship of one's own body and soul for the new year. Boys sing deusi songs door to door.
5. Bhai Tika (Day 5) — Sisters apply a seven-coloured tika to their brothers' foreheads, give blessings for long life, and exchange gifts. Brothers in turn give money and gifts to sisters. This is one of Nepal's most emotionally significant rituals.

What You Will See

• Houses, shops, and streets illuminated with lights and oil lamps
• Marigold garlands on every doorway
• Rangoli (colourful floor designs) at entrances
• Children and adults singing deusi-bhailo door to door
• Dogs wearing garlands and tika on Kukur Tihar

Holi — The Festival of Colours

Holi celebrates the victory of the devout Prahlad over the demoness Holika, and the arrival of spring. It is celebrated over two days — in the hills (Kathmandu) on one day and in the Terai (plains) the next. In 2026, Holi falls on March 6 (hills) and March 7 (Terai).

People throw coloured powder (gulal) and water at each other, dance to music, and feast on sweets. The streets become a riot of colour. If you are in Nepal during Holi, wear clothes you do not mind ruining and join in — but be respectful and ask before applying colour to strangers.

Teej — Women's Festival

Teej is a three-day women's festival in August/September, dedicated to the goddess Parvati and her reunion with Lord Shiva. Married women fast for their husbands' longevity and unmarried women fast for a good husband. Women dress in red saris, sing and dance, and gather at Pashupatinath Temple. The festival is both deeply spiritual and a vibrant celebration of womanhood and community.

Indra Jatra — Kathmandu's Street Festival

Indra Jatra (September) is Kathmandu's largest street festival, honouring Indra, the god of rain. The highlight is the chariot procession of the living goddess Kumari through the old city. Masked dancers perform Lakhe dances, and a pole (linga) is erected at Basantapur. It lasts 8 days and is the only time the Kumari appears in public.

Other Important Festivals

• Chhath (November) — Major festival in the Terai, worshipping the sun god. Devotees stand in water at sunrise and sunset.
• Maghe Sankranti (January) — First day of the Nepali month of Magh. Eating yam, ghee, and chaku (molasses).
• Shivaratri (February/March) — Night of Lord Shiva. Thousands of sadhus gather at Pashupatinath.
• Buddha Jayanti (May) — Buddha's birthday. Celebrated at Swayambhunath and Boudhanath.
• Nepali New Year (April 14) — Bisket Jatra in Bhaktapur, street festivals across the country.

How Festivals Affect Travel

• Government offices and banks close — plan accordingly if you need official services
• Transport fills up — book buses and flights well in advance for Dashain and Tihar
• Trekking is largely unaffected — once on the trail, festivals do not disrupt trekking
• Some restaurants and shops close — especially during Dashain tika days
• Festivals are a wonderful time to visit — you will see Nepal at its most vibrant

Related Res

• Nepali Calendar 2083 BS: All Festival Dates
• Nepal Travel Guide 2026
• Authentic Nepali Recipes
• Learn Nepali: Basic Phrases

s: Nepal Tourism Board, Amarnepal, Nepal-Tourism.com, Travelling Nepal, Hamro Patro. Last updated August 2026.

Find upcoming festival events on our Nepali festivals page or check the festival calendar. For specific festivals, see our Dashain events, Tihar events, and Holi events pages.