Festival tour in Nepal

A festival tour in Nepal is one of the most suitable ways to understand the significant occasion which is celebrated by various ethnic groups of Nepal. Festival tour in Nepal is celebrated by many religious groups year-round.
Being a country of such illustrative and enriching cultures and traditions, it is not surprising that Nepal has more festivals than the days in a calendar year. There is at least a festival or procession being carried out in some corner of the country every day. They say the best way to get under the skin of a place is to celebrate its festival. That is especially true in the case of Nepal, where every festival is celebrated with such zeal, enthusiasm, and authenticity that it will leave an imprint in your mind forever. Well, luckily, since the country celebrates festivals throughout the year, it is not hard to schedule your visit around these celebrations. Be it celebrating the month-long festivals of Dashain and Tihar saturating in colors the colorful festival of Holi, getting high during the festival of Shivaratri, or being a part of medieval chariot processions in Kathmandu valley, a Nepalese festival tour in Nepal guarantees you the best and most unique experiences during your tour in Nepal. Other than that, you can also be part of festivals that are exclusive and specifically celebrated in selected regions of Nepal, like, the Tiji festival in Mustang, Ram Nawami in Janakpur, and so on.
Hence, when you are traveling in Nepal, observing the festival tour of Kathmandu and Nepal is the perfect tour destination for understanding the various ethnic groups of Nepal and their cultural aspects. Still, there are more festivals that have existed for a long time, now they are a part of the festival of Nepal. For the Hindu devotees still they follow the ancient tradition to show great homage to the Hindu Gods and Goddesses similarly Buddhists are trying to follow their own traditions and way of celebrating festivals in Nepal. There is more festival tour in Nepal for example, those travelers who are on a tour in Nepal through the month of August/ September then they can get great chances to see and feel Nepal’s most famous women's festival “Teej” also known as Haritalika, it’s also popular all among the Religion in Nepal.

Trip Highlights:
•    Explore the most popular festival tours in Nepal.
•    Wonderful experiences of festival tours in Nepal.
•    Rich Cultural and religious festivals of Nepal.

Festival  in Nepal

•    Nepal with an area of 147, 181 sq. km, despite its small country has more than 60 ethnic tribal groups and 70 native spoken language, where Hindu is the main religion followed by Buddhism, Nepal is the only country where these two religion blends in perfect harmony.
•    With its vast different ethnic tribes with ancient cultures and customs Nepal is one of the world's biggest countries to host all kinds of festivals.
• The land and mid hills which are mostly inhabited by Hindus have their own genuine traditions and culture with many festivals throughout the year, on the mid hills and above 2,000 meters high dominated by Buddhist religions where festivals are celebrated with much pomp and joy in different parts of the high Himalaya region.
•    Team Himalaya offers a Festival Tour where you can observe and take part in it as per the season and type of festival that you are interested in.
•    As Nepal is full of rich ancient culture, traditions, and customs within various communities and religions this makes the country and its people lively, enjoyable, and interesting, the old saying is that festival never ends in Nepal, 
even every week or month some religious rites and celebrations take place although small or big.
 

Here’s our list of Festival in Nepal:

For exact dates please contact us, as much of the festival in Nepal takes place as per Hindu / Buddhist Lunar calendar with auspicious time and date for the events.
•    Please be informed for the Saga Dawa festival in Tibet, Mani Rimdu in the Everest region in Nepal, and Tiji festival we run treks to observe the festival.
• Mid-January -  Tol or Tamu Lhosar:

Celebrated by the Gurung tribe community as it is the same as other Tibetan New Year, however, due to habitation, climatic conditions observe this festival around mid-January as per the Buddhist Luna calendar.

Mid-January ( as per Luna Calendar) - Maghe Sankranti:

A celebration of the harvest festival, people bathe in rivers, ponds, and lakes to worship the Sun God, especially around holy rivers. Dip in the Rivers or lake purifies the self and bestows "punya". Special puja is offered as a thanksgiving for a good harvest. According to folklore, girls who take the holy dip get good and loyal husbands and boys with beautiful brides.

Jan 29 – Martyrs Day:

 
An Anniversary, in honor and respect of the martyrs and late heroes who died and suffered for the nations and Nepalese people.

Mid Feb - Sonam Lhosar: 

A New Year of the Tamang community is the same as other Tibetan New Year, however, due to habitation, and climatic conditions this festival is around mid-February as per the Luna calendar, the new year with animal symbol year 2015 (Sheep Year).

Feb 18 – National Democracy Day: 

A day to mark democracy after the overthrow of the aristocrat Rana's rule and regime, which Shah kings took back the power from Rana after they had ruled the country for more than 100 years.
At present Nepal is a Republic Nation.

End of Feb or first week of March (as per Luna calendar) Shiva Ratri:

Lord Shiva's anniversary, one of Nepal's most popular gods. During Maha Shivaratri, "Great Night", followers throughout the Indian sub-continent gather in Pashupatinath temple to worship, colorful Sadhus, the wanderings hermits and sages who imitate Shiva, rub ashes over their bodies, give lectures to disciples, meditate, or practice yoga. Devotees pray to Shiva's image inside the temple. Bonfires are lit, neighbors and friends share food, and devotees enjoy two days and a night of music, song, and dance throughout the Pashupatinath complex and in the streets. 

Around Mid Feb (as per Luna calendar) - Gyalbo Lhosar:

New Year is celebrated among Tibetans and Sherpa communities although same as Gurung and Tamang with the same year of animal symbol the sheep year in 2015 AD.

Mid or end of March - Holi (Fagu Purnima) - Festival of colors: 

Holi marks the end of winter and rejoicing over the start of springtime. It is the best time and season to celebrate; People play with different colors.

April 14 Nepal New Year Day - 2072 Bikram Sambat

A Nepalese New Year's Day is observed in a grand way. One of the great Bisket Jatra happens in Bhaktapur which is not to be missed.

Mid or end of April: Ram Navami.

Observed as a sacred day on which Lord Rama incarnated on this earth to do away with the evils. Devotees keep fasting and worship lord Rama.

Early or Mid-May- Tiji Festival in Lo Manthang-Mustang.

Teeji- The Chasing of the Demons, on this festival the lamas perform a centuries-old ceremony to chase demons from Lo Manthang. Gripping human skull-tops laced with streamers, lamas chant prayers and perform almost 50 separate religious dances. They are interrupted now by masked demons who flail wooden swords at the frightened spectators.

May 25 (May differ from the Luna calendar):     
Buddha Jayanti (Lord Buddha's birth anniversary) 

The ever-benevolent Buddha was born in Nepal, and the religion preached is the second most popular in the Kingdom. On a full moon day, the Lord's birth, enlightenment, and salvation are applauded throughout the valley with celebrations. Swoyambhu and Bouddhanath Stupas are prepared for the oncoming festivities several days in advance. Monasteries are cleaned, statues are polished, bright prayer flags waft in the breeze, and monks prepare to dance. On the Jayanti day, people reach the stupas before down, go around them, and give offerings to the many Buddha images there.
On the final day, in a nearby field, courtiers fire ancient muskets as a high lama shoots an arrow at a red demon effigy laid on a ragged tiger skin. He tosses five more demons into the sand to signify the exorcising of the city.

Mid-May: Saga Dawa Festival at Tarboche at the base of Mt. Kailash:

Saga Dawa which is the day of Buddha's enlightenment, nirvana, the monastery at Tarboche, the base of Mt. Kailash in Tibet celebrates this big festival for four days. During this festival, you can see the vivid way Tibetan pilgrims that joins from all over Tibet celebrate fire puja, Lama Dances, Sand Mandala puja, and finally the unrolling of the giant silk thanka. This is the oldest scroll painting in Tibet, dating back 1000 years and measuring approximately 40 x 60 m. Circumambulating Mt. Kailash during Saga Dawa, one gained a merit of 100,000 times due to the sacred month of Saga Dawa.

Mid or end August (as per Luna Calendar): Janai Purnima and Gai Jatra:

A most colorful religious procession of cows and people with peculiar heads dressed as figures of cows goes around the marketplace. Relatives of the deceased of that year sent religious groups to join the precession. The ‘Gai’ or cow is holy to Hindus. She represents Laxmi, the goddess of wealth, and guides the souls of the departed to the gates of the Netherworld. But Gaijatra is not a somber occasion. Satire, jokes, fancy costumes, and colorful processions are the order of the day as people recall how an eighteen-century king rallied his people to cheer his queen upon the death of their son. Those who have experienced the death of close ones during the past year share their sorrow and take comfort in the fact that the Gai (cow) has safely transported the departed souls on their afterlife journey.
Young men wearing women’s saris, children dressed up as cows and whimsical characters of all sorts fill the streets.

End August- Shree Krishna Janmashtami:

Hindus observe it by remaining awake the whole night performing religious dances and singing in the praise of Lord Krishna.

Around September: Teej – festival for women:

Teej is the fasting festival of women in Nepal. Married women observe Teej fast to honor Lord Shiva and for the long and healthy life of their husbands. Unmarried girls also observe fast on this day for a good husband. Teej celebrations last for three pious days. Traditional dances and songs form an important feature of Teej celebrations. Red color is considered auspicious for women observing Teej fast and so most of them dress up in red or bridal clothes.

September Mid - Indra Jatra:

A weeklong festival begins by hoisting Lord Indri’s flag (Indradhoj) at midnight and the faces of Bhairawa deities are displayed in important public places.
•    Indra King of heaven and controller of the rains have once again blessed the Valley. As the end of the monsoon nears, farmers look forward to a rich harvest, everyone is grateful to the diva for his help. For eight days, Kathmandu’s Durbar Square is the focus of a great celebration fit to “flatter the King of Heaven”. Indra’s dhwaj, or flag, is erected on the first day. It is said that many centuries ago, Indra’s mother needed specially-scented flowers but could not find them in heaven’s gardens. Indra discovered parijat flowers in the Kathmandu Valley and tried to steal them for his mother. He was caught and imprisoned by the Valley people. When Indra’s mother came searching for him the people were appalled by what they had done. They released Indra and dedicated one of the most colorful festivals in Nepal to him to appease his anger. Masks and statues representing Vishnu, Bhairab, and Shiva are shown to the public, and the Goddess Kumari witnesses the special occasion from her chariot. Indra is thanked for the rains and assured once again that he is respected in the Kathmandu Valley.

Early or Mid-October- Dasain: The great and big Festival of Nepali.

Dasain is the longest and most favorite festival in Nepal. Everyone stays home with their families, and all offices and schools are closed. The skies of Kathmandu are filled with Kites and the marketplaces are filled with farmers bringing their goats, buffaloes, ducks, and Chickens to sell. The animals are to be sacrificed on the night of ‘Kal Ratri’ to goddess Durga to celebrate her victory over evil. On the day of Dasami, everyone puts on new clothes and goes to honor their family elders, where they receive large red ‘Tika’ of vermilion paste on their foreheads. In the following days of Dasain, families, and friends unite, feasts are consumed, the blessing is imparted and gifts are exchanged. Nepal’s most beloved festival ends with the full moon.

October (1st or 2nd week) – Ghatasthapana linked with Dashain:

The beginning of the greatest festival ‘Dasain’, lasts for nine days. Sowing of maize and barely called Jamara in the local language.

October (mid or early) Phulpati linked with Dashian:

The real festival becomes visible. Brahmins go to Gorkha Durbar and bring flowers, etc. from the shrine there and it is then placed in the Pooja room of Hanuman Dhoka. His Majesty and other members of the Royal family witness the Army parade and accept the Guard of honor.

October (as per Luna calendar)- Durga Puja (Maha Astami)- mass animal Sacrificing day:

Eight days of the festival known as ‘Kalratri’. Animals (goats, buffaloes ducks,,, and chickens) were sacrificed in the temples of Goddess Durga and also at home. The offering of sacrifices continues on the ninth day too.

October (mid or end) - Mahanavami:

Preparation for the big and main next-day event.
 

October (mid or end) - Vijaya Dasami (Tika): The final and main Dashain event.

Elders and seniors in each Hindu house mark the foreheads of juniors with ‘Tika’ red color mixed with curd and uncooked rice. 
Respected relatives are visited. Feasts are held, and Lots of festivities activities.

November (as per Luna calendar)- Tihar (festival of lights): 

This is the second big festival of Hindus in Nepal. It is also known as the festival of lights, a time of candlelight, tinsel decorations, and festive colored sweets. On different days, there are offerings and small celebrations for crows, dogs, cows, and oxen. On the night of Laxmi Puja, garlands are hung and lamps are lighted to invite Laxmi, the goddess of wealth into the home and offices. Mha Puja, the New Year’s Day according to the Nepal Era, is the day of the self when people give themselves blessings to remain healthy and happy for the rest of the year. Bhai Tika, the last day of Tihar, is the day when sisters make offerings to their brothers. The ritual of breaking wall-nuts, putting on garlands of makhani flowers, and encircling brothers in rings of mustard oil protect them from Yama, lord of the Netherworld. On the first day of the festival people worship ‘crows’ and on the second day ‘dog’ is worshipped in the morning and are given good food to eat.

November ( as per Luna Calndar) - Laxmi Puja:

Festival of Lights- Worship of Goddess of Wealth celebrated with great pomp and grandeur all over the Kingdom of Nepal.

Mid or end of November - Gai Puja (Gobardhan Puja):

Hindus worship cows and regard these animals as mothers.

November ( as per Luna Calander)- Bhai Tika: (Brothers and sisters Thanksgiving) 

Last day of the ‘Tihar’, sisters mark their brothers’ foreheads with Tika, garland, and sweets and pray for their long life and prosperity.

1st week of November – Chath Parva:

An ancient Hindu festival and the only Vedic festival dedicated to the Hindu Sun God, Surya, also known as Surya Shashti. The Chhath puja is performed in order to thank Surya for sustaining life on earth and to request the granting of certain wishes. The Sun considered the god of energy and of the life force, is worshiped during the Chhath festival to promote well-being, prosperity, and progress. In Hinduism, Sun worship is believed to help cure a variety of diseases, including leprosy, and helps ensure the longevity and prosperity of family members, friends, and elders.
•    The rituals of the festival are rigorous and are observed over a period of four days. They include holy bathing, fasting, abstaining from drinking water (Vratta), standing in water for long periods of time, and offering to the setting and rising sun.

Nov mid (as per Tibetan lunar calendar) Mani Rimdu in Tengboche, Mani Rimdu in  Chiwong Monastery - Everest region:

This is a Sherpa festival celebrated during the fall at Tengboche Monastery in the Everest region. For 5 days, Lamas and Sherpas gather for “the good of the world”. There are plays, masked dances, prayers, and feasts. Demons are quelled and the pious are rewarded. The days are colorful and trips to the Everest region are very rewarding.