Nepal Holidays

National Unity Day commemorating the birth of King Prithvi Narayan Shah who unified Nepal.

Hindu festival marking the transition of the sun into Capricorn, end of winter month Poush.

Tamang New Year celebration, one of the major ethnic festivals in Nepal.

Basanta Panchami festival honoring Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge and arts.

Commemorates the four martyrs executed in 1941 for their role in the anti-Rana movement.

Major Hindu festival celebrating Lord Shiva, observed at Pashupatinath Temple.

Sherpa and Tibetan New Year celebration.

Commemorates the establishment of democracy in Nepal in 1951.

Festival of colors celebrating spring and the victory of good over evil.

International day celebrating women's achievements and advocating for gender equality.

Horse racing festival in Kathmandu Valley to ward off evil spirits.

Islamic holiday marking the end of Ramadan. Date approximate based on lunar calendar.

Hindu festival celebrating the birth of Lord Rama.

First day of Bikram Sambat calendar year 2083. Also celebrated as Bisket Jatra in Bhaktapur.

Democracy Day celebrating the success of the 2006 movement that ended autocratic monarchy.

Celebrates Buddha's birth, enlightenment, and death. Also International Workers' Day.

Islamic Festival of Sacrifice. Date approximate based on lunar calendar.

Commemorates the declaration of Nepal as a republic on May 28, 2008.

Sacred thread changing ceremony for Hindus. Also known as Raksha Bandhan.

Hindu festival celebrating the birth of Lord Krishna.

Festival for women celebrating Goddess Parvati and praying for marital bliss.

Commemorates the promulgation of Nepal's constitution on September 20, 2015.

First day of Dashain festival, marking the beginning of 15-day celebrations.

Seventh day of Dashain when sacred flowers and plants are brought to temples.

Eighth day of Dashain with animal sacrifices to goddess Durga.

Ninth day of Dashain, last day of goddess worship with ceremonies and sacrifices.

Tenth and most important day of Dashain. Tika and blessings from elders.

Eleventh day of Dashain, continuation of family visits and celebrations.

Twelfth day of Dashain festival.

Last day of Dashain, full moon day with worship of goddess Lakshmi.

First day of Tihar, worship of crows as messengers of death.

Second day of Tihar, worship of dogs as guardians of the afterlife.

Third day of Tihar, worship of cows and goddess Lakshmi in the evening.

Fourth day of Tihar, worship of oxen and self (Mha Puja for Newars).

Fifth and final day of Tihar, sisters apply tika on brothers' foreheads.

Sun worship festival, especially important in Terai region.

Christian holiday celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.

Gurung New Year celebration.