नेपाली पात्रो

The first day of Bikram Sambat — Nepal's national calendar. Celebrated nationwide with cultural programs, music, and street processions.

Birth anniversary of Lord Ram, the seventh avatar of Vishnu. Devotees fast and gather at Janaki temples, especially in Janakpur.

Commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and passing of Gautama Buddha. Nepal, as his birthplace (Lumbini), observes this as a national holiday.

Ashad 15 (National Paddy Day) marks the height of the monsoon rice-planting season. Celebrated with communal planting, folk songs, and mud festivities.

The start of Shrawan, the holiest month for Shiva devotees. Mondays in Shrawan draw huge crowds to Pashupatinath and Shiva temples across Nepal.

Festival of Cows — families who lost a member in the past year lead a cow (or a child dressed as one) in a procession. Celebrated mainly in Kathmandu Valley.

Eight-day festival honouring Indra, the god of rain. The living goddess Kumari is paraded through Kathmandu on a chariot.

Ghatasthapana marks the start of the 15-day Dashain festival — the biggest celebration in Nepal, honouring the goddess Durga's victory over evil.

The main day of Dashain (Tika day). Elders apply tika and jamara on younger family members as blessings. Largest family gathering of the year.

The third and main night of Tihar. Homes are lit with oil lamps and electric lights to welcome Laxmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity.

The fifth day of Tihar. Sisters apply a seven-coloured tika on their brothers' foreheads and pray for their longevity; brothers give gifts in return.

Chhath is dedicated to the Sun god Surya and his consort Usha. Devotees fast for two days and offer prayers at rivers and ponds at sunrise and sunset.

Celebrates the divine marriage of Ram and Sita. The largest ceremony takes place in Janakpur and draws pilgrims from across Nepal and India.

Christmas Day is a public holiday in Nepal, recognising the country's Christian community and its tradition of religious tolerance.

Marks the sun's entry into Capricorn — the end of the cold winter month. People bathe in sacred rivers, eat sesame sweets (til ko laddu), and visit family.

The great night of Shiva. Pashupatinath temple in Kathmandu becomes the centre of massive celebrations, drawing hundreds of thousands of pilgrims and sadhus.

Festival of colours celebrating the arrival of spring and the triumph of good over evil. Streets fill with coloured powder, water, and music.