Festival Calendar 2082

A comprehensive list of festivals celebrated either nationally or in certain parts of the country

April 16, 2025

5419

Rato Macchendranath

Nepal is the land of festivities, and this is not an understatement. A country of days and deities; various religious days and religious deities are as if the life and blood of the people living here. Not a single month passes without the observance of a festivity of one sort or the other, nor a single locality is there without the site or route of a religious deity. It is estimated that 90 % of the festivals in Nepal have a religious origin. Thus, the festivals quite often begin with religious ceremonies and move up with a spontaneous social spirit, and end up with friendly feasts and fun. This has been the Nepalese way of celebrating since time immemorial.

It is worth mentioning that the same day/festival is sometimes celebrated by the various cultural groups in different socio-cultural contexts, calling it by different names.

Here is a comprehensive list of festivals celebrated either nationally or in certain parts of the country by certain ethno-religious groups.

Note: Almost all of the Nepalese festivals follow the lunar calendar, hence the dates of most of the festivals vary every year.

Here is the Festival Calendar for the Year 2082 BS.

Festival	When	Where	Why	Public Holiday
Nepali New Year	Baisakh 1 14 April	Nationwide	First day of New Year 2082 BS	Yes
Biske Jatra Sindur Jatra Bode Jatra	Baisakh 1 14 April (Starts on Chaitra 28, April 10)	Bhaktapur	Bisket Jatra, Sindur Jatra and Bode Jatra are celebrated in Bhaktapur district of Kathmandu Valley to commemorate the First day of the Nepalese Year.	Yes
Loktantra Diwas	Baisakh 11, April 24	Nationwide	commemorating the end of the monarchy and the establishment of a democratic republic	No
Mothers Day (Mata tirtha aaunsi/ Aama ko mukh herney din)	Baisakh 14, 27 April	Nationwide	Children pay homage to their mother and if she’s passed on, a prayer to her spirit is made at Matatirtha Pond on the outskirts of Kathmandu, or at the Pashupatinath Temple.	No
Labour Day	Baisakh 18 1 May	Nationwide	Marks the International Labour Day. Also marks the starting of Rato matsyandranath Jatra	Yes
Buddha Jayanti,	Baisakh 29 12 May	Nationwide	Birth, Enlightenment & Demise day of Shakyamuni Buddha.	Yes
Ubhauli Parba	Baisakh 29 12 May	Kirati communities	It is a celebration of gratitude to nature for a good harvest and the beginning of the summer season	Yes
Ganatantra Diwas	Jestha 15, 29 May	Nationwide	commemorates the declaration of Nepal as a republic and the end of the 240-year reign of the Shah kings	Yes
Dahi Chiura Khane Din	Asadh 15 29 June	Nationwide	Celebrated by eating yoghurt and bitten rice which supposedly cures skin disease. This day is also officially marked as rice planting day. However, rice planting depends upon the arrival of the monsoon.	No
Guru Purnima	Asadh 26, 10 July	Nationwide	Celebrated to pay respect and gratitude to the teachers and spiritual guide	No
Bhanu Jayanti	Asadh 29 13 July	Nationwide	Celebrated to commemorate the birth anniversary of the first poet of Nepal, Adikabi Bhanu Bhakta Acharya.	No
Naag Panchami	Shrawan 13 29 July	Nationwide	Hindus worship Naag (serpents) whose burrows are unlivable due to overflow of water during monsoon, with a request not to enter their house or harm their family members.	No
Kheer Khaney din	Shrawan 15 31 July	Nationwide	It is typically observed during the month of shrawan when the rice harvest is complete, and families have an abundance of fresh grains.	No
Janai Purnima/Rakchya Bandhan	Shrawan 24, 9 august	Nationwide	People tie a sacred thread on the wrist for protection, those wearing Janai will change them on this day. It’s also an auspicious day for Shamans of hilly Nepal, plus a day to celebrate siblinghood, sisters tie rakhi bracelet on brothers’ wrist.	Yes
Gaijatra	Shrawan 25, 10 August	Kathmandu Valley	An occasion for families to honor deceased loved ones.	yes
Mataya	Shrawan 26, 11 August	Patan	An occasion for families to honor deceased loved ones.	No
Krishna Janmasthami	Shrawan 31, 16 august	Nationwide	Major festival marking the brith of lord Krishna	Yes
Kushe Aunshi/ Buwa ko Mukh Herne Din (Father’s Day)	Bhadra 7 23 August	Nationwide	Children pay homage to their father and if he’s passed on, a prayer to his spirit is made at Gokarna or at the Pashupatinath Temple.	Yes
Teej	Bhadra 10 26 August	Nationwide	Married women fast praying for the long life & good health of one’s husband, whereas unmarried fasts in hopes of getting a suitable match like Lord Shiva.	Yes (women only)
Rishi Panchami	Bhadra 12 28 August	Nationwide	Women and also girls who had their menses make a special bath in the mornings and worship the Sapta Rishi (7 Holy Sages) and their wife Arundhati asking forgiveness for the sins they have committed during the 4 days of the monthly cycle.	No
Gaura parba	Bhadra 15, 31 August	Hindus of Far west	Gaura Parba is a significant festival, particularly in the Far Western region of Nepal, celebrating the marriage of Goddess Gauri (a manifestation of Parvati) and Lord Maheshwor (Shiva).	Yes
Indra Jatra	Bhadra 21 4 September	Kathmandu valley	The eight-day long Newari festival to worship Lord Indra and his mother Dagini concludes on this day. It is celebrated to ensure the upcoming harvest.	Yes, (Kathmandu only)
Jitiya Parba (Jiwit Putrika)	Bhadra 30 15 September	Madhesi Mothers of Terai region	Mothers of Terai region (Southern Nepal) worship God Jitmahan Gosain and fast for 24 hours for the well being of their living Children.	yes
Bishwakarma Puja	Asojh 1 17 September	Nationwide	The birthday of Bishwakarma, This Divine Architect in Hindu Mythology.	No
Sorah Shraddha	Asojh 5 21 September	Nationwide	This day marks the beginning of sixteen days of Ancestor worship right before Dashain. People perform rites to all the deceased as back as seven generations.	No
Ghatasthapana	Asojh 6 22 September	Nationwide	First day of Dashain Festival. On this day, people plant Jamara seeds that are reaped and given as blessings to junior family members along with tika on the Dashain day. This also marks the begining of Nauratha or Navaratri, when nine different forms of Goddess Durga is worshipped everyday.	Yes
Phulpati (Saptami)	Asojh 13 29 September	Nationwide	Seventh day of Dashain. People bring in nine different types of Phulpati (flowers and leaves) home to include in the veneration of Saptami puja.	Yes
Maha Ashtami	Asojh 14 30 September	Nationwide	Eighth day of Dashain. People worship tools and vehicles, sacrifice animals at home and at Goddess Durga temples.	Yes
Maha Navami	Asojh 15 1 October	Nationwide	Ninth day of Dashain People worship tools and vehicles, sacrifice animals at home and at Goddess Durga temples.	Yes
Dashain/ Bada Dashain/ Vijaya Dashami	Asojh 16 2 October	Nationwide	Tenth day and main day of Dashain It is a joyous day when families visit each other to receive Tika and Jamara blessings, they make merry by playing cards, singing, dancing while hosting a big feast. Linge Ping (bamboo swing) is very famous in this season. It is believed that mount this Linge ping and one has to untouch the earth on this day.	Yes
Kojagrat Purnima	Asoj 20 6 October	Nationwide	Fifteenth/ concluding day of Dashain. A day to worship Goddess Laxmi (goddess of wealth) and make vigil all night.	No
Dhanteras	Kartik 1 18 October	Nationwide	To commemorate Tihar, the festival of lights, people on this day buy precious metals and worship it on the Laxmi puja day.	Yes
Kaag Tihar/	Kartik 2 19 October	Nationwide	The first day of Tihar, the festival of lights. This day involves the worship of crows as they are the messenger of the death-god Yama,	yes
Kukur tihar	Kartik 3 20 October	Nationwide	In Nepalese culture, it is believed that dogs are the guardians of the afterlife, and honoring them on this day ensures safe passage for departed souls. So this day is celebfated to honor their loyalty	Yes
Laxmi Puja/Gai Tihar	Kartik 4 21 October	Nationwide	It’s the main day of Tihar when cows are worshipped in the mornings to thank for the food essentials they provide. Laxmi the goddess of wealth and fortune is worshipped at night. Houses are cleaned and decked with hopes for Laxmi to stop by and bless the family members.	Yes
Gobardhan Puja	Kartik 5 22 October	Nationwide	People worship Ox for their contribution on farm throughout the year. This day also commemorates the day when Lord Krishna lifted Gobardhan hill on his pinky finger to save Gopala people from torrential rain.	Yes
Bhaitika	Kartik 6 23 October	Nationwide	Last day of Tihar. It is celebrated to strengthen the siblinghood ties. Sisters on this day perform special worship for brothers’ long and healthy life and also pray to Yama that no brother-sister are separated by death on this day.	Yes
Chhat	Kartik 10 27 October	Terai (Southern Nepal)	The biggest festival in Terai, Southern Nepal involving the worship of the Sun-god and his sister Chhati Mai.	Yes
Haribodhini Ekadashi	Kartik 15 1 November	Nationwide	The Tulsi planted on Harisayani Ekadashi is married to Lord Vishnu on this day, and devotees fast all day long.	No
Guru Nanak Jayanti	Kartik 19 5 November	Sikhs	Celebrated to commemorate the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak, the first Sikh Guru.	Yes
Falgunanda Jayanti	Kartik 25 11 November	Kiratis	the birth anniversary of Guru Falgunanda	Yes
Bala Chaturdashi/ Satbij Charne Din	Mangshir 3 19 November	Nationwide	Bereaved family members observe a ritual in the remembrance of deceased ones. They keep vigil all night and offer satbij (seven varieties of paddy seeds) in a traverse path around the Pashupatinath temple the next day after a holy dip in Bagmati river at the break of dawn.	No
Bibaha Panchami	Mangshir 9 25 November	Madhesh	To commemorate the divine nuptial of Lord Ram and Goddess Sita in Treta Yug. Janaki Temple in Janakpur comes alive with vibrant celebration for a whole week,	No
Udhauli Parba Yomari Punhi	Mangsir 17 4 December	Nationwide	Kiranti clan celebrate Udhauli Parba to commemorate the setting in of the Winter. Newar clan celebrate Yomari Punhi by making a special sweet called Yomari, to mark the end of the harvesting season of the year.	Yes
Christmas	Poush 10 25 December	Nationwide	Celebrated to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ.	No
Tamu Loshar	Poush 15 30 December	Nationwide by Gurungs	A New Year celebration of Gurung Community.	No
Sri Swasthani Brata Katha Prarambh	Poush 19 3 January	Kathmandu	This day marks the beginning of a sacred and month-long ritual when devotees read the holy scripture of Goddess Swasthani every day and observe fast.	No
Maghe Sankranti/ Maghi	Magh 1 15 January	Nationwide	The first day of the Sun’s transit into Makara Rashi, (Capricorn) marking the end of the month with the winter solstice. A very special day for Tharu community of Southern Nepal and also the Magars of Hills.	NO
Sonam Loshar	Magh 5 19 January	Tamang Community	A New year celebrated by Tamang Community.	No
Basanta Panchami/ Saraswati Puja	Magh 9 23 January	Nationwide	This day officially heralds Spring. Students worship the Goddess of wisdom Saraswati and children of age 3 also learn their first alphabets on this day with the Goddess’ blessings.	No
Sahid Diwas	Magh 16 30 January	Nationwide	To pay homage to the 4 martyrs of the country	Yes
Sri Swasthani Brata Katha Samapti	Magh 18 1 February	Kathmandu	A month-long sacred festival of Goddess Swasthani concludes on this day. Devotees break their fast and celibacy with a big ritual.	No
Maha Shiva Ratri	Falgun 3 15 February	Nationwide	Birth anniversary of Lord Shiva. Devotees throng the Pashupatinath temple and other Shiva temples and fast for Him to seek blessings for one’s family.	No
Gyalpo Loshar	Falgun 6 18 February	Sherpa Community	A New year celebrated by Sherpa Community.	No
Fagu Purnima/Holi	Falgun 18 2 March	Hills and Himalayas	Festival of colours/ Spring Festival is celebrated joyously throughout the nation by smearing colours on people’s face and throwing water balloons at each other.	Yes
Fagu Purnima/Holi	Chaitra 19 3 March	Terai Only	Festival of colours/ Spring Festival is celebrated joyously throughout the nation by smearing colours on people’s face and throwing water balloons at each other.	Yes
Naari Diwas	Falgun 24 8 March	Nationwide	International Women’s Day	Yes(only to women)
Ghode Jatra	Chaitra 5 19 March	Kathmandu	Horses are paraded at Tundikhel grounds in presence of the President, Prime Minister and other dignitaries. The Newars celebrate it by paying homage to local goddesses and organizing feast in the family.	Yes, (Kathmandu only)
Chaitra Dashain	Chaitra 12 26 March	Nationwide	aka Sano-Dashain or mini Dashain. Celebrated with equal enthusiasm as main Dashain that falls in Autumn.	No
Sri Ram Navami	Chaitra 13 27 March	Nationwide	Celebrated to commemorate the birth of Lord Ram.	Yes
Mahabir Jayanti	Chaitra 17, 31 March		This day is dedicated to the Lord Mahavir, a Jain saint who is known amongst the most famous saints.	No

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