Festivals In NEPAL

NAME OF FESTIVAL

DATE

VENUE

DESCRIPTION

New Year
(Biska Jatra)

13th April

Bhaktapur

The chariots of Bhairav and Bhadrakali are drawn around Bhaktapur for 9 days to celebrate the event.

Ram Nawami

13th April

All over the Nepal

Lord Ram, the main character in the Ramayan, is especially revered in Janakpur.

Sindoor Jatra

14th April

Madhyapur-Thimi,Bode

Tongue preaching Jatra is a traditional colorful celebration.

Matatirtha Aunsi (Mother’s Day)

19th April

Matatritha near Thankot

Take a ceremonial bath at Matatirtha, whose mother passed away last year. Mothers who are still alive are honored with sweets and presents.

Rato Machhendranath Temple

23rd April

Patan-Lalitpur

Lord Machhendranath’s chariot is pulled through Patan’s streets until it reaches Jawalkhel, where the festival concludes with the Bhoto (waistcoat) Jatra.

Buddha Jayanti

(Buddhist New year)

4th May

All over the Nepal

Buddhist monasteries, particularly at Boudhanath and Swaymbhunath, are places of prayer and worship.

Sithi Nakha or Kumari Sarstha

25th May

All over the valley

The start of the rainy season and a day to clean the wells.

Harisayani Ekadashi

28th June

All over the Nepal

On the year’s holiest Ekadashi, sacrifices to Lord Vishnu, the preserver, and public meat sales are prohibited.

Teachers’ worship day

2nd July

All over the Nepal

Ghanta Karna

15th July

All Newar Settlement

Festival to commemorate the killing of a demon; huge straw monster statues are burned in all of Bhaktapur’s toles.

Gunla

17th July
–
15th August

Kathmandu Valley

Buddhist holy month — Throughout the month, all Buddhist shrines become hubs for a variety of religious events.

Naga Panchami

20th August

All over the Nepal

The Naga (Scared Snakes) are worshipped on this day to protect people from floods.

Rachhya Bandhan / Janai Purnima

30th August

Kumbeswor Mela/Sringa Veri Jatra

Patan, Banglamukhi

Musical instruments from the past are ornamented and performed.

Sa:Paru  (Gai Jatra)

31st August

Bhaktapur

The Gai Jatra carnival, a colorful and satirical spectacle, is paraded across town.

Matya

1st September

Patan-Lalitpur

Buddhist festival of light to commemorate Buddha’s victory against vice.

Shree KrishnaAastami

6th September

All over the Nepal

Lord Krishna’s birthday – main character of Hindu epic Mahabharat / Krishna Mandir of Patan Durbar Square is the focus point.

Pancha Dan

All over the valley especially – Swambhunath

Buddhist monks sing cymas while women standing in front of their homes hand rice and grains to the priests as they pass.

Gokarana Aunsi
(Father’s day)

14th September

All over the Nepal

People who have lost their dad take a ritual bath in Gokarna, while their children deliver sweets and gifts to their live dad.

Teej

17th September

All over the Nepal

Ladies fast for 24 hours in order to pray to Shiva for the well-being of their husbands and single women in the hopes of finding husbands on this holy day.

Rishi Panchami

19th September

Indra Jatra

27th September

Kathmandu Valley

In downtown Kathmandu, a chairot of Kumari, Ganesh, and Bhairav is hauled.

World Tourism Day

27th September

All over the Nepal

International Inviters are felicitated with various detivities.

Gathasthapana

15th October

All over the Nepal

To kick off the grandest event and the best season, barley seeds are planted and a Kalash is placed in the prayer room.

Phulpati

20th October

All over the Nepal

The festival’s seventh day has arrived. For the Hanuman Dhoka Parade, religious objects and flowers are carried from Gorkha Durbar.

Maha Aastami

21st October

All over the Nepal

Ganesh, Kumar, and Kumari are all names for small children who are venerated.

Maha Nawami

22nd October

All over the Nepal

At Taleju, male animals are sacrificed to worship Durga and Kali.

Dashami

23rd October

All over the Nepal

Dashain’s main day; worship Nava Durga at Bhaktapur’s Brahmani Temple; put Tika, receive blessings from elders.

Tihar or Dipawali

12th -15th October

All over the Nepal

Yama, the God of Death, is honored with a five-day light festival.

Chatt Parba (Terai)

18th November

All over the Nepal

Worshipping the Sun and having a sacred plunge in the pond rivers is one of Terai’s most important festivals.

Haribodhani Ekadasi

22nd November

Gujeswori Jatra, worship of the Goddess

7th December

Indraiani Puja and Nhaya Gaya Jatra festival

Bala Chaturdasi

11th December

Pashupatinath Temple

Following a holy bath in the Bagmati River, pilgrims travel through the Mrigasthali forest, sprinkling various seeds in memory of Balla the dead.

Yomari Puni or Dhanya Purni

26th December

Newari Settlement

After the rice harvest, the festival is commemorated by praying for the greatness of Mother Earth and preparing rice flour with concentrated sugarcane juice.

Maha Shiva Ratri

8th March

All over the Nepal, especially at Pashupatinath

Pay obeisance to Shiva by remaining awake throughout the entire night in all toles and squares.

Tibetain New year (Lhosar)

8th March

Sherpa and Lama community

Fagu Purnima (HOLI)

25th March

All over the Nepal

Colorful festival; playing with colors for fun and frolic.

Ghode Jatra

8th April

Kathmandu

Worship Mapa Deyo and Nepalese Army perform horsemanship and gymnastic at Tundhikhel.

Chaite Dashain / Seto Machhindranath Jatra

Kathmandu

Chariot of Machhindranath is pulled through the streets fo Kathmandu and worship to God of rain.