Living culture

Festivals of Nepal

Most festivals follow the lunar calendar, so their dates move each year. Pick a month to see what is celebrated.

MangsirHindu
Bala Chaturdashi
Devotees scatter seven types of grain at Pashupatinath in memory of deceased loved ones.
Mangsir · Nov–Dec
Kathmandu
MangsirKirat (Limbu)
Chasok Tangnam
Limbu harvest festival offering the first grains to ancestors and deities on the full moon.
Mangsir · Nov–Dec
Eastern hills (Limbuwan)
PoushChristian
Christmas
Celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ on December 25.
Poush · Dec
Across Nepal
PoushGurung
Tamu Lhosar
New Year of the Gurung (Tamu) community, celebrated on Poush 15.
Poush · Dec
Gandaki
MangsirKirat
Udhauli
Kirat harvest festival marking the downward seasonal migration and thanking nature.
Mangsir · Nov–Dec
Eastern hills
MangsirHindu
Vivaha Panchami
Celebrates the wedding of Ram and Sita with a grand re-enactment at Janaki Temple, Janakpur.
Mangsir · Nov–Dec
Dhanusha
MangsirNewar
Yomari Punhi
Full-moon festival celebrating the yomari, a sweet steamed dumpling of rice flour and molasses.
Mangsir · Nov–Dec
Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur