Festival in Nepal

Festival in Nepal is celebrated throughout the years. The festivals represent the distinct cultures and ethnicities of different people residing here. All these festivals are deeply rooted in the traditions and beliefs of all Nepalese people. Despite Nepal having a smaller land area, people live close to each other while celebrating the festival. 

Traveling to Nepal during the festival seasons provides you with unique experiences. You will see colorful decorations, traditional performances, and joyous celebrations during the festival in Nepal. It is the perfect chance to immerse yourself in the rich culture. Also, exploring Nepal during the festival means you can try some of the best traditional foods. Besides, you will also see the markets filled with traditional crafts and goods, from where you can purchase them as a souvenir.

Nepal is famous not just for its natural beauty but also as the best place to travel because of its rich culture and festivals. You can create unforgettable memories whether you trek toward the Himalayas or explore the bustling cities during festivals.

Famous Festivals of Nepal You Must Experience

Okay, do you wish to travel to Nepal during the festival? But wondering which can be the perfect season choice for you? Here are some of the major festivals in Nepal. Traveling during these festivals can give you the best cultural experience with natural beauty.

Read More: Before You Go To Nepal

Dashain (Vijya Dashmi)

Dashain is Nepal’s longest and most popular festival, lasting 15 days. It’s significant for Nepali Hindus everywhere. During Dashain, people focus on family and community. Many travel back to Nepal or their hometowns. The festival celebrates the goddess Durga defeating the demon Mahishasura. People celebrate with feasts, gatherings, fairs, prayers, and offerings to the goddess.

On the ninth day, the Taleju Temple in Kathmandu’s Durbar Square opens to the public, the only time Hindus can visit it yearly. The tenth day, known as “tika,” is extraordinary. People put rice tika (colored powder) on their foreheads and wear new clothes. The festival ends on the full moon day, and it is called Kojagrat Purnima. Thus, if you want to experience the significant festive season of Nepal, then visiting during Dashain, which also falls in the autumn (September or October), is perfect for you. 

Tihar (Deepawali)

Tihar, also called Deepawali, is a bright and joyful festival in Nepal. The Festival of Lights is often called because homes and streets are illuminated with oil lamps, candles, and colorful electric lights. The festival spans five days. Each day shows honor to different gods, animals, and family relationships. On the first day, people worship crows to keep bad news away.’

Similarly, the second day is for dogs, honoring their loyalty. The third day is for cows and symbolizes wealth and prosperity. The fourth day celebrates oxen or the bond between humans and nature. The last day is for brothers and sisters, who perform rituals for each other’s well-being. Traveling during Tihar is unique because the country has lights and decorations. You can enjoy the festive atmosphere and participate in cultural practices.

Holi

Holi is the festival of color celebrated in all places across Nepal. Besides, this is another famous festival among the Hindu people. This festival falls in the spring season. It represents the victory of good over evil. During Holi, people celebrate by throwing multiple colored packets and water at each other. This is one of the most colorful and vibrant festivals you can experience in the streets of Kathmandu Valley.

Holi starts with a bonfire the night before, called Holika Dahan.  It symbolizes the burning of evil spirits. The next day, people gather in streets and public places to play with colors, sing, and dance while enjoying festive foods. Traditional sweets and drinks, like gujiya and thandai, are shared among friends and family. Many tourists nowadays travel to Nepal during this season. This festive season gives every individual a proper sense of joy and equality.

Regional Festivals

Indra Jatra

Indra Jatra, also called Yenya, is Kathmandu’s biggest street festival. It happens in the Nepali month of Bhadra (August to September) and lasts eight days. Nepalese people celebrate by praying to Indra and Dagini for a good harvest and remembering those who passed away in the past year. On the final day, they burn down the flagpole at Kathmandu Durbar Square to mark the end of the Indra Jatra festival.

During Indra Jatra, they raise a tall pole called Yosin or Linga. This marks the beginning of the festival. There are lively parades with masked dances like the Lakhey dance and displays of sacred images and gods. A highlight is the Kumari Jatra, where the living goddess Kumari is carried through the streets in a chariot. Visiting during Indra Jatra lets you see colorful parades, traditional dances, and the lively atmosphere in Kathmandu’s streets.

Teej

Teej is a festival for all women in Nepal. It usually happens in August and lasts three days. Women wear bright red sarees and decorate with red tika, bangles, and jewelry. They come together to sing folk songs and dance happily during the festival. Teej is significant for married women who receive invitations to visit their parents’ homes and enjoy feasts.

After a big feast called Dar, women fast for 24 hours, not eating or drinking. It’s impressive to see women of all ages dancing energetically, even in hot weather or rain. This shows their dedication and strength. Thousands of women in red and green clothes gather at Pashupatinath temple, a leading place for Teej. As a traveler, you can see the festive scenes, sometimes join the fun, and participate in the lively dancing and celebrations.

Maghe Sankranti

Maghe Sankranti is a harvest Hindu festival in Nepal. It celebrates the sun moving into the Capricorn zodiac sign. It usually happens in mid-January and brings lots of happiness and celebration, especially in rural areas. During Maghe Sankranti, the people of Nepal eat traditional foods like yams, sweet potatoes, and sweets made from sesame seeds and molasses.

One of the most popular dishes is “til ko laddu,” a sweet ball made from sesame seeds and jaggery. Families gather to feast and exchange blessings for prosperity in the coming year. Customs include taking holy baths in rivers and visiting temples to offer prayers and make offerings. If you plan to visit and trek Nepal during this festival, you must be sure that trekking can be much more difficult. But to celebrate a festival and explore some cities in Nepal, traveling during Maghe Sankranti can be the best.

Ethnic and Cultural Festivals

Losar

The Losar festival in Nepal is a big celebration. Mountain people celebrate the festival. This is the major tradition of Sherpas, Gurungs, Tamangs, and Thakalis. This festival is also known as the Tibetan New Year. It follows a twelve-year cycle called “Lohokor.” Each year is represented by an animal. During Losar, Nepal becomes lively.

During Losar, people come together for religious ceremonies. They warmly greet each other. Homes are decorated with bright prayer flags and beautiful artwork. This makes the atmosphere happy and lively. Losar usually happens in February or March. It marks the start of spring in the Himalayan region. This season has nice weather. There are clear skies and mild temperatures.

Chhath

Chhath festival is celebrated by worshipping the Sun God. People from the Terai region and Madhesi communities perform this festival. The festival spans four days and is celebrated in late October or early November, around the Hindu month of Kartik.

During Chhath, devotees do rituals to thank the Sun God. They believe the Sun God sustains life on earth. Before sunrise, they take dips in rivers or other water bodies. They stand in the water and offer prayers. They offer fruits, sugarcane, and homemade sweets to the Sun God.

Bisket Jatra

The Bisket Jatra celebration in Bhaktapur lasts nine days and eight nights. It is initially called Bisayaku Jatra in the Newari language, meaning “Snake Kill.” It’s associated with the Nepali New Year (Bikram Sambat calendar) but isn’t directly linked to it. The Bisket Jatra happens in April.

During the festival, a big event is the chariot procession. It showcases deities like Bhairav, Bhadrakali, and other gods in palanquins (khats). The procession begins at Nyatpola temple. The chariots move through different parts of the city. They stop from time to time so devotees can pay respects and pray.

Religious Festivals

Buddha Jayanti

Buddha Jayanti is a big celebration in Nepal. It honors the birth of Lord Buddha and includes many rituals and ceremonies. During Buddha Jayanti, people go to monasteries, gumbas, and temples to pray, light lamps, and chant sacred texts. Special pujas and meditation sessions happen. They focus on Buddha’s teachings and aim for spiritual peace.

Nepal has many monasteries, gumbas, and temples. Kathmandu has the most. You can visit many Buddhist sites in Kathmandu or Lumbini, where Lord Buddha was born. In Kathmandu, there are many famous places to see. These include Swayambhunath, Boudhanath, Patan, Namo Buddha, and various monasteries around the valley.

Shivaratri

This is another major festival celebrated by the Hindu people. For this, they honor Lord Shiva. On this night, devotees fast and stay awake. People pray to Lord Shiva and ask for health, wealth, and spiritual growth. During Shivaratri, people visit Shiva Temples. They chant mantras, sing hymns, and do rituals to show their devotion.

The Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu is the center of Shivaratri celebrations in Nepal. Thousands of devotees come here from all over the country and beyond each year. The temple echoes with bells and chants as people give milk, honey, and bilva leaves to the Shiva lingam. One of the main events during Shivaratri is the art held at night in Pashupati. You can participate in this significant ceremony if you visit Nepal during Shivaratri.

Seasonal Festivals

Basant Panchami

Basanta Panchami is a Nepal festival celebrated in February to honor Lord Saraswati. People celebrate enthusiastically, welcoming the season of new beginnings and blooming flowers. During this time, students and others seek blessings for knowledge and wisdom. ​

Visiting Nepal during Basanta Panchami is a beautiful experience. The country is entirely of yellow flowers, and the joyful atmosphere is contagious. As a part of the celebration, you can visit some beautifully decorated temples and see the rituals there. This is the perfect time to experience the beauty of Nepal as the spring brings pleasant weather and stunning landscapes.

Rato Machhindranath

The Rato Machhindranath festival also called the Rain God Festival, is vital to the Kathmandu Valley. It honors Rato Machhindranath. He is worshipped as the god of rain and the provider of grains. Rato Machhindranath means Red Machhendranath because of the deity’s red image. The chariot festival follows the lunar calendar, so the date changes yearly. It starts on the 4th day of the bright fortnight of Bachhalā, the seventh month in the lunar Nepal Sambat calendar.

Conclusion

Overall, celebrating festivals in Nepal is the best opportunity. You will experience the rich culture of Nepal. You will find friendly people and colorful events whether you pick Dashain, Tihar, or another festival. Spring and autumn, when most big festivals happen, also show off Nepal’s beautiful scenery and pleasant weather. Celebrate these festivals in Nepal and make your 2024 memorable. Come and let’s create memories together.

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