Festivals of Nepal

Holy manNepal is the ‘Land of Festivals’ with at least one part of the kingdom celebrating a festival every day of the year. Festivals may be linked with the memory of the departed soul, to herald a different season, to mark the beginning or end of the agricultural cycle, to mark national events or for family celebrations etc.. On a festival day the Nepalese take their ritual bath, worship different gods and goddesses, visit the temple, observe fasting and undertake feasting. The most important aspect of Nepalese culture is the religious harmony and that is why understanding prevailing among the Hindus and Buddhists.

 

Nepal's major Festivals and Public Holidays - 2013

Months
Day
Festivals / public holidays
January    
January
1
Year 2013 begins
January
11
Prithvi Jayanti and National Unity Day
January 14

Maghe Sankranti, Makkar Snan in Sankhamul and Devghat

January
24
Lhosar (Tibetian New Year)
January 26 Shree Swasthani Brata begins
January 29 National Martyrs' Day
January
Shree Panchami Shree Swasthani Brata ends
     
February
 
February 11 Shree Swatani Brata end
February
18
Prajatantra Diwas (National Democracy Day)
February    
 
 
March
 
March 7  
March 8 International Women Day and Shree Ram Nawami / Chaitra Dasain, Shree Seto Machindranath Jatra
March 9 Basant Ritu begins, Shree Machindranath Snan in Nala
March 10 Maha Shiva Ratri
March 26 Fagu Purnima (Happy Holi or Festval of colors)
     
April    
April 10 Ghode Jatra
April 6 Shree Hanuman Jayanti, Mela in Balaju
April 12 Bhaktapur (Bisket Jatra)
April 14 Nepali New Year (2069 begins)
April 21  
April
24
Loktantra Diwas (Democracy day)
     
May
 
May
1
(Labour Day)
May 9 Mother's day and Kanun Diwas
May 3 Press Freedom Day
May 25 Buddha Jayanti - Birthday of Lord Buddha
May 29 Republic Day
May 31 Smoking control day
 
 
June
 
June
5
International environment day
     
July
 
July 10 Shree Jaganath Yatra
July 11 World population day
July 20 International Refuge day
July 22 Guru Purnima
 
 
August
 
August 11 Nag Panchami
August 21 Janai Purnima 
August
22
Gai Jatra (In Kathmandu)
August
28
Krishna Janmastam (In Patan)
     
September    
September 5 Father's Day
September
8
Educational day and Teej
September 10 Rishi Panchami
September 11 International Tourism day
September 14 Children's Day
Septermber 18 Indra Jatra 
September
21
International peace day
     
October    
October 5 to 18 October Dashain Festival Starts for 14 days
October 11 Fulpati
October 12 Maha Astami
October 13 Maha Nawami
October 14 Bijaya Dashami (Main Day of Festival)
October 18 Kojagrat Purnima (End of Dashain Festival)
     
November
 
 
November 1-5 November Tihar Festival starts
November 1 Crow Festival
November 2 Dog Festival
  3 Laxmi Puja
November 4 Gobardhan Puja/Nepal Sambat New Year
November 5 Bhai Tika (Main day of Festival)
November 9 Chhat Parba
November 20 International child right day
     
December
 
December
1
Aids Day
December 3 Apanga Diwas
December
7
Janakpur Mela (Bibha Panchai)
December
10
Human Rights Day
December 17 Dhanya Purnima