Major Events & Festivals in Kathmandu, Nepal

1. Dashain

15-day long national festival celebrating the victory of good over evil.

Family Gathering: Offers a unique opportunity to connect with extended family members.
Traditional Food: Provides a chance to sample traditional Nepali dishes like dal bhat and sel roti.
Cultural Activities: Includes cultural activities like folk songs, dances, and rituals.

Celebrating the bond between light and darkness, honoring Laxmi, the goddess of wealth.

Laxmi Puja: Includes special rituals for wealth and prosperity.
Kukur Tihar: A day dedicated to dogs, where they are decorated and honored.
Bhai Tika: Sibling love is celebrated on this day with the exchange of tika and gifts.

A festival where cows are led through the streets to pay homage to deceased family members.

Youth Parade: Features a unique youth parade with Yomari Punhi, a Newari festival.
Community Bonding: Promotes communal bonding and unity in the community.
Humor and Satire: Includes humorous plays, songs, and satire reflecting on societal issues.

A Hindu festival dedicated to the god Indra, celebrated with processions and masked dances.

Living Goddess: Includes a Living Goddess (Kumari) who is believed to be the manifestation of Goddess Taleju.
Machindranath Chariot: The main attraction, a chariot that is pulled by devotees through the city.
Masked Dances: Features traditional masked dances like Lakhey Dance and Bhairab Dance.

Hindu festival celebrating Lord Shiva, marked by prayers, fasting, and all-night vigils.

Pilgrimage: Offers an opportunity for pilgrims to visit the sacred Pashupatinath Temple.
Spiritual Significance: Holds spiritual significance as it is believed to cleanse souls of sins.
Communal Devotion: Encourages communal devotion and unity among Hindus.

A Newari festival dedicated to the goddess Bhagwati, celebrated with feasts and devotion.

Community Feast: Involves a community feast where all are invited.
Devotional Rituals: Includes various devotional rituals and offerings to the goddess.
Newari Culture: Provides a glimpse into the rich Newari culture and traditions.

A festival celebrating the end of the harvest season with feasts, music, and dance.

Community Celebration: Promotes communal celebration and unity.
Traditional Music and Dance: Features traditional music and dance performances.
Harvest Offerings: Includes offerings of harvested crops to deities.

A week-long event focusing on community service and volunteer work.

Community Service: Provides an opportunity for tourists to contribute to the local community.
Social Awareness: Raises awareness about social issues and encourages empathy.
Cultural Exchange: Fosters cultural exchange and understanding among participants.

A Buddhist ritual where individuals perform prayers for their personal welfare.

Individual Welfare: Focuses on the spiritual well-being of each individual.
Buddhist Philosophy: Offers insights into Buddhist philosophy and teachings.
Communal Gathering: Promotes communal gathering and unity among Buddhists.

A Newar community festival marking the beginning of the Nepali New Year.

Community Celebration: Promotes communal celebration and unity.
Chariot Procession: Includes a chariot procession featuring the Living Goddess.
New Year Wishes: Offers an opportunity to extend and receive New Year greetings.

A Hindu festival celebrated with the throwing of colored powders and water.

Cultural Exchange: Provides an opportunity for tourists to experience a vibrant cultural tradition.
Community Bonding: Encourages communal bonding and unity among Hindus.
Festival of Joy: Emphasizes joy, love, and the victory of good over evil.

A Hindu festival dedicated to Lord Shiva, honoring snakes and their deity Naga.

Respect for Nature: Encourages respect for nature and its creatures.
Hindu Traditions: Offers insights into Hindu traditions and beliefs.
Community Participation: Involves community participation in rituals and offerings.

Hindu festival marking the transition of the sun into Capricorn.

New Year Celebration: Offers an opportunity to experience a different New Year celebration.
Community Gathering: Promotes communal gathering and unity among Hindus.
Kite Flying: Includes the traditional activity of kite flying.

A Hindu ritual marking the beginning of Dashain with the offering of a bouquet of sacred leaves.

Spiritual Significance: Holds spiritual significance as it marks the start of Dashain.
Traditional Offering: Includes a traditional offering of leaves to the goddess Durga.
Cultural Experience: Provides a unique cultural experience for tourists.

A Newar festival celebrating the birth of Lord Krishna, focusing on cows.

Respect for Cattle: Encourages respect for cattle and their role in agriculture.
Hindu Traditions: Offers insights into Hindu traditions and beliefs.
Community Participation: Involves community participation in rituals and offerings.