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 - 2011
| Months | Day |
Festivals / public holidays |
| December | 31 |
Shree Swasthani Brata begins |
| January | ||
| January | 1 |
Year 2011 begins |
| January | 11 |
Prithvi Jayanti and National Unity Day |
| January | 15 | Maghe Sankranti, Makkar Snan in Sankhamul and Devghat |
| January | 30 |
National Martyrs' Day |
| January | 30 |
Shree Panchami Shree Swasthani Brata ends |
| February | ||
| February | 5 | Lhosar (Tibetian New Year) |
| February | 18 | Shree Swatani Brata |
| February | ||
| February | 18 |
Prajatantra Diwas (National Democracy Day) |
| February | Education day | |
| February | 28 | |
| March | ||
| March | 2 | Maha Shiva Ratri |
| March | 19 | Fagu Purnima (Happy Holi or Festval of colors) |
| March | 8 | International Women Day |
| March | 12 |
Basant Ritu begins, Shree Machindranath Snan in Nala |
| March | 15 |
|
| March | 23 |
Chaitra Dasain, Shree Seto Machindranath Jatra |
| March | 24 |
Shree Ram Nawami |
| March | 30 |
Shree Hanuman Jayanti, Mela in Balaju |
| April | ||
| April | 3 | Ghode Jatra |
| April | 12 |
Ramnawami/Chautay Dashain |
| April | 14 | Nepali New Year (2068 begins) |
| April | 24 | Loktantra Diwas (Democracy day) |
| May | ||
| May | 1 |
(Labor Day) |
| May | 8 | Mother's day |
| May | 17 | Buddha Jayanti - Birthday of Lord Buddha |
| May | 19 | Republic Day |
| May | 31 |
Smoking control day |
| June | ||
| June | 5 |
International environment day |
| July | ||
| July | 4 | Shree Jaganath Yatra |
| July | 25 | Guru Purnima |
| August | ||
| August | 13 | Janai Purnima |
| August | 25 |
Gai Jatra (In Kathmandu) |
| August | 21 |
Krishna Janmastam (In Patan) |
| August | 20 | Father's Day |
| August | 24 |
Rishi Panchami |
| September | ||
| September | ||
| September | 11 | Teej |
| September | 14 |
Children's Day |
| September | 22 |
Indra Jatra |
| September | 28 | Dashain Festival Starts for 14 days |
| October | ||
| October | 28 to 11 October | |
| October | 3 | Fulpati |
| October | 4 | Maha Astami |
| October | 5 | Maha Nawami |
| October | 6 | Bijaya Dashami (Main Day of Festival) |
| October | 11 | Kojagrat Purnima (End of Dashain Festival) |
| October | 18 | Goverdan Puja (means pray to the Male cow with respect) |
| October | ||
| October | 24 to 28 October | Tihar Festival starts |
| October | 24 | Crow Festival |
| October | 25 | Dog Festival |
| October | 26 | Laxmi Puja |
| October | 27 | Gobardhan Puja/Nepal Sambat New Year |
| October | 28 | Bhai Tika (Main day of Festival) |
| November | ||
| November | ||
| November | 4 | |
| November | 5 | |
| November | 5 | |
| November | 7 | |
| November | 12 | Chhat Parba |
| December | ||
| December | 1 |
Aids Day |
| December | 4 |
Apanga Diwas |
| December | 10 |
Janakpur Mela (Bibha Panchai) |
| December | 10 |
Human Rights Day |
