| Festival Name
| Meaning/Celebration |
| Maghey Sankranti
| This is the first day of the Nepalese month of Magh which marks the end of winter. |
| Losar
| This festival is the most impressively observed in the month of February by all the Tibetan speaking populations. They organize folk songs and dances on this occasion. These dances can be seen in Khumbu, Helambu and other northern regions of Nepal and also at Bouddhanath in Kathmandu. |
| Shiva Ratri
| Shivaratri or the night of Lord Shiva, it's observed in February - March. It is celebrated in honor of Lord Shiva. A great religious fair takes place in the Pashupatinath Temple and thousands of people from all over Nepal and India visit the temple. |
| Holi
| The ancient Hindu festival of Holi falls on late February or on early March. Allegedly named after the mythical demoness Holika, it is a day when the feast of colors is celebrated. The festival is of a week. However, it's only the last day that is observed by all with colours.
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| Ghora Jatra
| A horse festival, celebrated with coach processions and races and displays on the main parade ground in Kathmandu.
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| Balaju Jatra
| Thousands of pilgrims keep an all night vigil at Swayambhunath Temple. The next day they trek to the 22 waterspouts at Balaju for a ritual bath. |
| Naya Barsa
| Nepalese New Year and the festival of the God Bhairab in Bhaktapur. Four days of colorful parades and processions
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| Mata Tirtha Aunsi
| (mothers day) This is one of the widely celebrated festivals that falls on the first month, Baisakh (April/May), of the Nepali Year. It is also called Mata Tirtha Aunsi as it falls on a new moon night.
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| Rato Machhendranath Jatra
| The festival of Lokeswar, one of the patron Gods of Kathmandu. A 40-foot tall chariot with the God's image installed is pushed and pulled through the streets by hundreds of worshippers. |
| Buddha Jayanti
| This day is celebrated to mark the birthday of the Lord Buddha which dates back in about 543 BC. It falls on Jestha Purnima (Full moon night-May/June). |
| Ghanta Karna
| A festival commemorating an ancient victory over a particularly malevolent devil, Gathemuga. Mock funerals are held and figures burned in effigy.
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| Nag Panchami
| A festival devoted to the snake gods, who most Nepalese believe ruled the Valley before the coming of people.
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| Gokarna Aunsi
| Nepalese Father's Day.
|
| Janai Purnima
| The festival of changing of the sacred thread which every Brahmin caste Hindu male wears around his torso.
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| Gai Jatra
| ( Cow festival ) it is a carnival-type of festival lasting eight days. Dancing, singing comedy and anything that caused mirth and laughter are its highlights. Those people whose family members have died during the years send out persons dressed up as a cow to parade the main thorough selfares of the city on the first day of the festival.
A festival to the sacred cow. Among other symbolisms of the cow, cows are believed to lead the souls of the dead to the underworld; and on Gai Jatra Newar households process around an ancient path believed to mark the city walls of times past, in honor of recently deceased members of their families. It's also a carnival celebration with practical jokes. |
| Krishna Jayanti
| Celebrating the birth of the Hindu God Krishna.
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| Teej Brata
| "Teej" is the fasting festival for women. Through this religious fasting, hindu women pray for marital bliss, wellbeing of their spouse and children and purification of their own body and soul. It takes place on Tritiya of Bhadra (August/September).
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| Indra Jatra
| The festival of Indra, the God of rain, is observed with great enthusiasm in Kathmandu Valley. The festival is celebrated in August-September lasting for eight days. The chariot of Kumari, the Living Goddess, is taken out in procession through the main streets of Kathmandu. The festival is specially noted for the echoes of drums and dancing feet of the masked dancers almost every evening. |
| Durga Puja
| During the month of Kartik in the Bikram Sambat calendar (late September and early October), the Nepalese people indulge in the biggest festival of the year, Dashain. Dashain is the longest and the most auspicious festival in the Nepalese annual calendar, celebrated by Nepalese of all caste and creed throughout the country. The fifteen days of celebration occurs during the bright lunar fortnight ending on the day of the full moon. |
| Tihar
| Known as the festival of lights 'Tihar' is celebrated for five days in October-November. On the occasion of houses are illuminated at night and the special sweets of diverse kinds are prepared.
A festival of lights, when homes and offices are strung with colored lights and illuminated by candles. This is also the festival of the Goddess Laxmi, goddess of wealth, and is celebrated by much good-natured gambling.
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| Seto Machhendranath Snan
| A cleansing ritual for the White (seto) Machhendranath, a counterpart god to the Red (rato) Machhendranath who's chariot procession is in April-May
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