Festivals of Nepal
Nepal 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 - 2009
| Months | Day |
Festivals / public holidays |
| January | 1 |
Year 2009 begins |
| January | 11 |
Prithvi Jayanti and National Unity Day |
| January | 14 | Maghe Sankranti, Makkar Snan in Sankhamul and Devghat |
| January | 10 |
Shree Swasthani Brata begins |
| January | 29 |
National Martyrs' Day |
| February | ||
| February | 9 |
Shree Panchami Shree Swasthani Brata end |
| February | 18 |
Prajatantra Diwas (National Democracy Day) |
| February | 23 | Maha Shiva Ratri |
| February | Education day | |
| February | 26-28 |
Lhosar (Tibetian New Year) |
| March | ||
| March | 10 | Fagu Purnima (Happy Holi or Festval of colors) |
| March | 12 |
Basant Ritu begins, Shree Machindranath Snan in Nala |
| March | 26 |
Ghode Jatra |
| March | 16 |
Chaitra Dasain, Shree Seto Machindranath Jatra |
| April | ||
| April | 3 |
Shree Ram Nawami |
| April | 9 |
Shree Hanuman Jayanti, Mela in Balaju |
| April | 14 |
Nepali New Year (2066 begins) |
| May | ||
| May | 1 |
(Labor Day) |
| May | 10 | Mother's day |
| May | 9 |
Kanoon Diwas |
| May | 9 | Buddha Jayanti - Birthday of Lord Buddha |
| May | 31 |
Smoking control day |
| June | ||
| June | 5 |
International environment day |
| July | ||
| July | 4 | Shree Jaganath Yatra |
| July | 7 | Guru Purnima |
| August | ||
| August | 5 |
Janai Purnima |
| August | 6 |
Gai Jatra (In Kathmandu) |
| August | 13 |
Krishna Janmastam (In Patan) |
| August | 20 | Father's Day |
| August | 23 | Teej |
| August | 24 |
Rishi Panchami |
| September | ||
| September | 3 |
Indra Jatra |
| September | 14 |
Children's Day |
| September | 19 to 03 October | Dashain Festival Starts for 14 days |
| September | 25 | Fulpati |
| September | 26 | Maha Astami |
| September | 27 | Maha Nawami |
| September | 28 | Bijaya Dashami (Main Day of Festival) |
| October | ||
| October | 3 | Kojagrat Purnima (End of Dashain Festival) |
| October | starts on 16th Oct. | Tihar Festival starts for 5 days |
| October | 16 | Crow Festival |
| October | 17 | Dog Festival |
| October | 17 | Laxmi Puja |
| October | 18 | Goverdan Puja (means pray to the Male cow with respect) |
| October | 19 | Bhai Tika (Main day of Festival) |
| October | 24 | Chhat Parba |
| November | ||
| November | 21 |
Janakpur Mela (Bibha Panchai) |
| December | ||
| December | 1 |
Aids Day |
| December | 3 |
Apanga Diwas |
| December | 10 |
Human Rights Day |
