Living culture
Festivals of Nepal
- BhadraNewar
Gai Jatra (Sa Paru)
Cow procession honouring family members who died in the past year.
Bhadra · Aug–Sep
Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur
- BhadraHindu
Gaura Parba
Far-western festival celebrating the divine wedding of Gauri and Maheshwor (Shiva).
Bhadra · Aug–Sep
Sudurpaschim
- ShrawanNewar
Ghanta Karna Chaturdashi (Gathamuga)
Newar festival driving away the demon Ghanta Karna with effigies and processions.
Shrawan · Jul–Aug
Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur
- ChaitraNewar
Ghode Jatra
Horse festival with an army cavalry parade at Tundikhel, Kathmandu.
Chaitra · Mar–Apr
Kathmandu
- ShrawanNewar
Gun Punhi
Full-moon day ending the holy month of Gunla, observed with Buddhist devotion.
Shrawan · Jul–Aug
Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur
- FalgunSherpa (Tibetan Buddhist)
Gyalpo Lhosar
Tibetan/Sherpa New Year celebrated with feasts, dances and monastery rituals.
Falgun · Feb–Mar
Solukhumbu
- KartikHindu
Haribodhini Ekadashi
Marks the awakening of Lord Vishnu from his four-month sleep; start of the wedding season.
Kartik · Oct–Nov
Across Nepal
- BhadraHindu
Haritalika Teej
Women's festival of fasting and dancing praying for marital harmony and the wellbeing of husbands.
Bhadra · Aug–Sep
Across Nepal
- FalgunHindu
Holi (Fagu Purnima)
Festival of colours; celebrated in the hills first and in the Terai the following day.
Falgun · Feb–Mar
Across Nepal
- AshwinNewar
Indra Jatra (Yenya Punhi)
Eight-day Kathmandu festival honouring Indra with chariot processions and masked dances.
Ashwin · Sep
Kathmandu
- ShrawanHindu
Janai Purnima (Rakshya Bandhan)
Full-moon day when Hindu men change their sacred thread (janai) and wear rakshya bands.
Shrawan · Jul–Aug
Across Nepal
- AshwinHindu (Maithil/Tharu)
Jitiya
Three-day fast observed by mothers for the long life of their children.
Ashwin · Sep–Oct
Terai districts
