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 - 2010
| Months | Day |
Festivals / public holidays |
| December | 31 |
Shree Swasthani Brata begins |
| January | ||
| January | 1 |
Year 2010 begins |
| January | 11 |
Prithvi Jayanti and National Unity Day |
| January | 15 | Maghe Sankranti, Makkar Snan in Sankhamul and Devghat |
| January | 29 |
National Martyrs' Day |
| January | 30 |
Shree Panchami Shree Swasthani Brata ends |
| February | ||
| February | 12 | Maha Shiva Ratri |
| February | 15 |
Lhosar (Tibetian New Year) |
| February | 19 |
Prajatantra Diwas (National Democracy Day) |
| February | Education day | |
| February | 28 | Fagu Purnima (Happy Holi or Festval of colors) |
| March | ||
| March | 8 | International Women Day |
| March | 12 |
Basant Ritu begins, Shree Machindranath Snan in Nala |
| March | 15 |
Ghode Jatra |
| March | 23 |
Chaitra Dasain, Shree Seto Machindranath Jatra |
| March | 24 |
Shree Ram Nawami |
| March | 30 |
Shree Hanuman Jayanti, Mela in Balaju |
| April | ||
| April | 14 |
Nepali New Year (2067 begins) |
| April | 14 | Mother's day |
| May | ||
| May | 1 |
(Labor Day) |
| May | 9 |
Kanoon Diwas |
| May | 27 | Buddha Jayanti - Birthday of Lord Buddha |
| May | 31 |
Smoking control day |
| June | ||
| June | 5 |
International environment day |
| July | ||
| July | 4 | Shree Jaganath Yatra |
| July | 25 | Guru Purnima |
| August | ||
| August | 25 |
Gai Jatra (In Kathmandu) |
| August | 29 |
Janai Purnima |
| August | 20 | Father's Day |
| August | 24 |
Rishi Panchami |
| September | ||
| September | 1 |
Krishna Janmastam (In Patan) |
| September | 11 | Teej |
| September | 14 |
Children's Day |
| September | 22 |
Indra Jatra |
| October | ||
| October | 08 to 22 October | Dashain Festival Starts for 14 days |
| October | 14 | Fulpati |
| October | 15 | Maha Astami |
| October | 16 | Maha Nawami |
| October | 17 | Bijaya Dashami (Main Day of Festival) |
| October | 22 | Kojagrat Purnima (End of Dashain Festival) |
| October | 18 | Goverdan Puja (means pray to the Male cow with respect) |
| November | ||
| November | starts on 04th Nov. | Tihar Festival starts |
| November | 4 | Crow Festival |
| November | 5 | Dog Festival |
| November | 5 | Laxmi Puja |
| November | 7 | Bhai Tika (Main day of Festival) |
| November | 12 | Chhat Parba |
| December | ||
| December | 1 |
Aids Day |
| December | 4 |
Apanga Diwas |
| December | 10 |
Janakpur Mela (Bibha Panchai) |
| December | 10 |
Human Rights Day |
