Best time to visit Nepal during festivals 2025
Festivals Of Kathmandu, Nepal, 2024 and 2025
100,000’s Hindu devotees from India and all from all over the world gather around Pashupatinath temple – one of the holiest shrines of the Hindus in Kathmandu. The Hindu festival of Maha Shivaratri honors Lord Shiva. It is observed on the fourteenth night of the dark fortnight of the month of Phalguna (February-March) in Nepal and throughout India. The event commemorates Shiva and Parvati's marriage, as well as the night Shiva performed the Tandava, the cosmic dance of creation and destruction. In Nepal, Maha Shivaratri is observed with tremendous devotion. Shiva devotees fast, worship, and meditate. They also pay visits to Shiva temples and shrines.In Nepal, Maha Shivaratri is a festive holiday celebrated with tremendous dedication. It is a time for people to gather and commune with Shiva. The celebration serves as a reminder of the power of love and the value of religion. Smoke with Sadhu Tour (follow link)
- Shivarati Festival Date: February 26, 2025
Colourful Holi Festival
Holi is a Hindu colour festival celebrated in Nepal and throughout India. It is also known as the Festival of Love or the Spring Festival. Holi is a Hindu festival observed on the full moon day of the Hindu month of Phagun (February-March). The celebration commemorates the triumph of good over evil, the end of winter, and the entrance of spring. It is also a moment for people to put aside their differences and unite in joy. In Nepal, Holi is celebrated with considerable zeal. Colored powder and water are thrown at one another while people dance, sing, and eat great cuisine. The event is a chance for people to let loose and enjoy themselves. Learn about Colourful Holi Festival (follow link)
- Holi Festival Date: March 13 and 14, 2025
Buddha Jayanti
Lord Gautam Budhha was born on Buddha Jayanti. Sidhartha Gautam was Budhha's original name. Siddhartha Gautam was born in 543 BC in Nepal's Kapilvastu. King Suddhodhan Gautam and Queen Maya Devi had a son named Siddhartha. Buddha was born in a garden of Sal trees (Shorea robusta), in the lovely and calm Lumbini zone of Nepal's Rupandehi district.
Lumbini, Nepal, has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as the birthplace of Gautama Buddha. Buddha was born on a full moon day, attained nirvana on the same day, and died on the same day, Baishakh Sukla Purnima. Around the world, this day is known as Budhha Purnima. Buddha means “Awakened One”. Gautam Buddha is also known as Shakyamuni
- Buddha Jayanti Festival Date: May 12, 2025
Gai Jatra
This festival of cow is celebrated every year in August/September. This is one of the most popular festivals in Nepal, as it is full of humour, satire, comedy, mockery, and shades of sadness. Celebrated in Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Patan and Dolakha.
Biska Jatra: Bhaktapur's Epic Celebration
Biska Jatra is more than just a festival; it's a cultural phenomenon that electrifies Bhaktapur. The towering lyo-sin-dyo pole and the frantic chariot pull that mark this nine-day extravaganza are thrilling displays of local fervour. The city comes alive with energy as thousands gather to witness this ancient tradition. While deeply rooted in history, Biska Jatra remains a vibrant spectacle that captures the hearts of locals and visitors alike.
- Bisket Jatra Festival Date: 2025, April 12 and 13.
Sindoor Jatra: A Vibrant Celebration
Sindoor Jatra is a captivating festival in Thimi marked by vibrant processions, the exchange of Sindoor powder, and a unique tongue-piercing ritual. This three-day event welcomes the Nepali New Year with fervor as locals celebrate their cultural heritage. Amidst the festivities, the tongue-piercing ceremony stands as a particularly striking tradition, believed to bring blessings to the community.
- Sindoor Jatra Festival Dates: 2025, April 14, and April 15.
Haritalika Teej
This festival is celebrated in August/September. The festival is more meaningful and interesting because unmarried women observe it with unabated zeal in the hope that they will get to marry good husbands and married women pray for progress and good health for their husband. Women clad in beautiful red saris with shining potes (glass beads), singing and dancing is a sight almost everywhere in Nepal during the festival of Teej. best place to visit is Pashupatinath.
- Teej Festival Date: August 26, 2025
Indra Jatra
This festival, named after Lord Indra, the God of Rain and also the King of Heaven, is celebrated by both Buddhists and Hindus in Nepal in August/September. Indra Jatra Festival Myth (Follow link)
- Indra Jatra Festival Date: September 6, 2025
Major Festivals Inside Nepal
Festival of Lights "Tihar"
This festival of lights that falls between October and November is the second-biggest festival after Dashain. This festival lasts for five days and people worship Laxmi, the Goddess of Wealth
Dashain (Bijaya Dashami)
During the month of Kartik (late September and early October), the Nepalese people indulge in the biggest festival of the year, Dashain. Nepalese of all castes and creeds throughout the nation celebrate Dashain, the longest and most auspicious festival on the country's annual calendar. Dashain Festival Tour (follow link)
- Dashain Festival Date: Sep 22, 2025, to October 6, 2025
Mani Rimdu
Mani Rimdu is a sacred ceremony and series of events of empowerment. It is a series of nineteen-day celebrations which conclude with three-day public festival. At the Tengboche Monastery in the Everest region, Sherpa typically celebrate Mani Rimdu in the autumn. Mani Rimdu is observed from the first day of the tenth month of the Tibetan lunar calendar, which falls between October and November under the English calendar. For this festival, it is perfect to choose Pikey Peak Trek
- Mani Rimdu Festival Date: 15th, 16th, and 17th of November 2024
Mustang Tiji Festival
Tiji consists of three-day of Tibetan rituals. The Tiji centres around a myth, which tells of a deity named Dorje Jono who must battle against his demon father to save the Kingdom of Mustang from destruction. The word TIJI comes from the word Ten Che, “hope of the dharma prevailing in all worlds”. About Tiji Festival Celebration (Follow link)
Conclusion: The Best Time to Visit Nepal: Immerse Yourself in Vibrant Festivals
Planning your Nepal trip around a festival can transform your experience from a sightseeing tour to a vibrant cultural immersion. With over 100 festivals celebrated throughout the year, Nepal offers a diverse calendar of events.
Here's a glimpse into some major festivals to consider when planning your trip:
- Spring (March-May): Witness the joyous celebrations of Holi, the festival of colours, and celebrate Lord Shiva's victory at Shivaratri.
- Summer (June-August): Experience the unique Gai Jatra cow festival and witness the awe-inspiring Indra Jatra, honouring the God of Rain.
- Monsoon (September-November): Immerse yourself in the vibrant Sindoor Jatra, marking the Nepali New Year, and witness the magnificent Dashain, Nepal's biggest festival. Tihar, the festival of lights, follows shortly after, illuminating homes and streets.
- Autumn (October-November): Witness the sacred Mani Rimdu ceremony in the Everest region and experience the Tiji festival in Mustang, a captivating display of Tibetan rituals.
This is just a taste of Nepal's rich tapestry of festivals. So, dig deeper, pick your adventure, and get ready to fall in love with Nepal's spirit!
