All festivals celebrated in Nepal with details || नेपालमा मनाइने चाडवाडहरू
🇳🇵 Nepal's Festival Encyclopedia
A descriptive guide for kids to learn about our diverse culture and traditions.
🏆 Major National Festivals
Dashain (The Grand Harvest)
The biggest 15-day celebration in Nepal, marking the victory of good over evil.
Who All Nepalese, primarily Hindus.
How We fly kites, play on bamboo swings (Ping), receive red "Tika" and green "Jamara" from elders, and enjoy family feasts.
Where Nationwide; every home becomes a hub of joy.
Tihar (Festival of Lights)
A 5-day festival honoring animals, family bonds, and the Goddess of Wealth.
Who Everyone in Nepal.
How We worship crows, dogs, cows, and our brothers/sisters (Bhai Tika). Houses are lit with oil lamps and decorated with Rangoli.
Where Across the country, turning cities into a sea of lights.
🌍 Ethnic & Regional Traditions
Chhath (Sun Worship)
Who Madhesi and Tharu communities, now celebrated by many others.
How Standing in water to offer prayers to the rising and setting sun. We eat Thekua and fruits as holy offerings.
Where Riverbanks and ponds in the Terai region and Kathmandu.
Lhosar (Himalayan New Year)
Who Sherpa, Tamang, and Gurung communities.
How Dancing in circles (Selu), wearing traditional fur-lined hats and robes, and visiting monasteries.
Where Mountain regions and stupas like Boudhanath.
Sakela (Ubhauli & Udhauli)
Who Kirat Rai community.
How Dancing the "Sakela Sili," where we move in circles imitating birds and animals to thank Mother Nature for crops.
Where Eastern districts like Khotang, Bhojpur, and Dharan.
Maghi / Maghe Sankranti
Who Tharu community (as their New Year) and all Hindus.
How Taking a holy bath in rivers and eating winter treats like sweet potatoes, yams, and molasses (Chaku).
Where Nationwide, with massive celebrations in the Terai and Devghat.
🎭 Chariot Festivals (Jatras)
Indra Jatra
Who: Newar community of Kathmandu Valley.
How: Pulling the chariots of the Living Goddess Kumari, Ganesh, and Bhairav. Masked Lakhey dancers dance in the streets.
Where: Kathmandu Durbar Square.
Bisket Jatra
Who: Residents of Bhaktapur.
How: A giant "tug-of-war" with huge wooden chariots and the raising of a tall ceremonial pole (Lingo).
Where: Bhaktapur Durbar Square.
Rato Machhindranath
Who: Residents of Patan.
How: Pulling the tallest chariot in Nepal for a month to pray for rain and a good harvest.
Where: Streets of Patan (Lalitpur).
✨ Other Beautiful Festivals
Buddha Jayanti
Celebrated by Buddhists nationwide to honor Lord Buddha's birthday. We light lamps in Lumbini and monasteries.
Eid al-Fitr
Celebrated by the Muslim community with special prayers in Mosques (Idgahs) and sharing of sweets like Sewai.
Gai Jatra
Newar families dress children as cows to remember lost loved ones with humor and parades in the Kathmandu Valley.
Christmas
Celebrated by Christians and city dwellers with decorated trees and carols to mark the birth of Jesus.
