List of festivals in Nepal
Main festivals
Nepal stands as a unique example of a secular and multicultural nation where diverse festivals are joyfully celebrated within communities. In Nepal, individuals of varying religious backgrounds coexist in the same neighborhoods and societies, fostering a spirit of unity as they come together to share in the celebrations of a multitude of festivals, thus sharing their joys, happiness, and sorrows as a harmonious whole.Dashain
Dashain is the 15-day-long festival and holidays of Nepal. It is the longest and the most auspicious festival in the Nepalese annual calendar, celebrated by Nepalese Hindu people throughout the globe. It is not only the longest festival of the country, but also the one which is most anticipated. As one of the popular countries, Nepal has its Hindu festival as Dashain. The festival falls in September or October, starting from the shukla paksha of the month of Ashvin and ending on purnima, the full moon. Among the 10 days for which it is celebrated, the most important days are the first, seventh, eighth, ninth and the tenth, but tenth day is very importantThroughout the country Shakti is worshiped in all her manifestations. This festival is also known for its emphasis on the family gatherings, as well as on a renewal of community ties. People return from all parts of the world, as well as different parts of the country, to celebrate together. All government offices, educational institutions and other private offices remain closed during the festival and holidays period.
Significance
Dashain symbolizes the victory of good over evil.
For followers of Shaktism, it represents the bare victory of the goddess, Shakti. In Hindu mythology, the demon Mahishasura had created terror in the devaloka but Durga killed the demon. The first nine days of Dashain symbolizes the battle which took place between the different manifestations of Durga and Mahishasura. The tenth day is the day when Durga finally defeated him. For other Hindus, this festival symbolizes the victory of Rama over Ravana as recounted in the Ramayana.
In Nepal all Hindu ethnic groups celebrate this festival with their own variation. Among the Newars, it is known as Swanti. The festival is celebrated from Trayodashi of Kartik Krishna to Kartik Shukla Dwitiya every year. Tihar in general signifies the festival of lights, where diyas are lit both inside and outside the houses to make it illuminate at night. The five-day festival is considered to be of great importance as it shows reverence to not just the humans and the Gods, but also to the animals such as crow, cow and dog, who maintain an intense relationship with the humans. People make patterns on the floor of living rooms or courtyards using materials such as colored rice, dry flour, colored sand or flower petals outside of their house, called "Rangoli" which is meant to be sacred welcoming areas for the Hindu deities.
During the celebrations gamblers are found in the streets and some gamblers are known to make extreme bets such as staking their properties and some times their own daughters and wives' jewelry.
Tihar
Tihar, is a five-day Hindu festival celebrated in Nepal. Tihar is analogous to the Indian festival of Diwali, the festival of lights, but with some significant differences. Like with Diwali, Tihar is marked by lighting diyas inside and outside the home but unlike the Indian festival, the five days of Tihar include celebration and worship of the four creatures associated with the Hindu god of death Yama, with the final day reserved for people themselves. According to the Vikram Samvat calendar, the festival begins with Kaag Tihar on Trayodashi of Kartik Krishna Paksha and ends with Bhai Tika on Dwitiya of Kartik Sukla Paksha every year. In the Gregorian calendar, the festival falls sometime between October and November every year. In the Year 2025 A.D, Tihar Starts From 19 October or 2nd of Kartik and ends on 23 October or 6th of Kartik. It is celebrated over Yamaraj taking the time out of his job over overruling his world and meeting his own sister, Yamuna.Bhai Tika Part of Tihar
On the fifth day of Yamapanchak, as part of the Tihar Festival, men visit the house of their sister's, where sister put a tika or mark on his forehead and a garland around his neck. Sisters pray for long and prosperous life of their brothers. The men then touches the feet of their sisters and whereby grand meal is served by sisters to brothers in their house. In return she receives a gift of money, clothes or ornaments etc.Other festivals
Chhath
In context of Nepal, Chhath is a festival of the Terai region of Nepal celebrated by the Nepalese people of Tharus, indigenous Bhojpuriyas, Maithils and other Madhesi ethnic groups in all the major parts of Nepal including Kathmandu, the capital city of the country. In modern days, Chhath is even celebrated in hills by the Pahari people. The government of Nepal declares the Public holidays all over Nepal during the Chhath festivals. It is a Hindu festival dedicated to the Hindu Sun God, Surya and Chhathi Maiya. The Chhath Puja is performed in order to thank Surya for sustaining life on earth and to request the granting of certain wishes.The Sun, considered the god of energy and of the life-force, is worshiped during the Chhath festival to promote well-being, prosperity and progress. In Hinduism, Sun worship is believed to help cure a variety of diseases, including leprosy, and helps ensure the longevity and prosperity of family members, friends, and elders. The rituals of the festival are rigorous and are observed over a period of four days. They include holy bathing, fasting and abstaining from drinking water, standing in water for long periods of time, and offering prashad and arghya to the setting and rising sun.