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.

FalgunSherpa (Tibetan Buddhist)
Gyalpo Lhosar
Tibetan/Sherpa New Year celebrated with feasts, dances and monastery rituals.
Falgun · Feb–Mar
Solukhumbu
FalgunHindu
Holi (Fagu Purnima)
Festival of colours; celebrated in the hills first and in the Terai the following day.
Falgun · Feb–Mar
Across Nepal
MaghHindu
Shree Panchami (Saraswati Puja)
Day of worshipping Saraswati, goddess of knowledge; children begin their education on this day.
Magh · Jan–Feb
Across Nepal
MaghTamang
Sonam Lhosar
New Year of the Tamang community, celebrated on Magh Shukla Pratipada.
Magh · Jan–Feb
Bagmati