List of festivals in Nepal

The festival falls in September or October, starting from the shukla paksha (bright lunar fortnight) of the month of Ashvin and ending on purnima, the full moon.

[12] 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.

The Banras, priests of the Newar Buddhists visit each house and receive a small offering of grain or rice to commemorate their ancestors who were not permitted to trade.

The Newars decorate their shops and houses with pictures and flowers and the women sit with large baskets of rice and grain to dispense to the Banras.

The Buddhist bath in sacred streams and visit their temples and the Brahman priests offer an ornamental thread to the wrists of their followers and in return receive gifts.

However, the ironic sessions synonymous with the Gaijatra festival entered the tradition in the medieval period of Nepal during the reign of the Malla Kings.

According to the traditions since time immemorial, every family who has lost one relative during the past year must participate in a procession through the streets of Kathmandu leading a cow.

The queen laughed and the king instituted a tradition of including jokes, satire, mockery and lampoon into the Gaijatra celebration.

On the first day a lofty wooden post is erected before the king's palace or at other Durbar sites and dancers from all across Nepal perform with masks.

The event involves family gatherings and outdoor functions, and lasts ten days.The Newar People plant Barley seedlings [Nal:Swa] on first day of dashain.

On the tenth day it concludes dashain [Mohani Nakha] by receiving tika and the harvested barley seedlings[Naal:Swa] from elders with blessings and a piece of khokha, a read and white cloth around the neck.

[14] This festival falls on the 14th day of the dark fortnight of the month of Kartik or Mangsir (November/December) according to the lunar calendar, One of the most important rituals of Bala Chaturdashi is the Satbij Chharne (sowing of seven seeds).

They sow seeds of seven different grains (wheat, barley, sesame, rice, maize, millet, and black gram) along the temple premises and in the holy Bagmati River.

On the eve of Bala Chaturdashi, devotees stay awake the entire night, singing hymns, chanting prayers, and reciting scriptures.

On this day, the sun leaves its southernmost position and takes off for its northward journey, so Maghe Sankranti is similar to solstice festivals in many other traditions.

Saraswati Puja, also known as Basanta Panchami, is celebrated in Nepal on the fifth day of the bright half of the Nepali month of Magh.

The morning begins with devotees taking a ritual bath and donning yellow clothes, symbolizing the bright and blooming mustard flowers that herald spring.

Students and scholars gather at Saraswati temples and educational institutions, carrying their books, pens, and musical instruments to seek the blessings of the goddess.

This day also marks the beginning of a new educational journey for many, as young children are often initiated into learning with the ritual of 'Akshar Abhyas' (the first writing) on this auspicious occasion.

In Kathmandu, the Basantapur Durbar Square has become a hub of cultural activities, with music, dance, and traditional performances celebrating the season.

As the chants of Saraswati Vandana echo through the temples and homes, the entire nation comes together to honor the goddess of wisdom and the advent of a new season.

Holi's timing in the Nepali calendar aligns with the arrival of spring, symbolizing new beginnings and the triumph of good over evil, making it one of the most significant and joyous festivals in Nepal.

This event symbolizes the victory of good over evil and is commemorated by the lighting of bonfires on the eve of Holi, known as Holika Dahan.

It promotes unity and friendship as people come together to celebrate, breaking social barriers of caste, creed, and age.

While it brings people together in a spirit of celebration and unity, it is essential to be mindful of safety and responsible behavior to ensure that the festival remains a joyful and memorable experience for all.

The influx of tourists during Holi also highlights the festival's role in promoting Nepal's rich cultural heritage on the global stage.

On the last day of the month, bathers are carried in a procession in ornamented dolis, lying on their backs with lighted lamps (known as chirags) on their chests, arms and legs.

During Pahan Charhe which is one of the festivals in Kathmandu, Luku Māhādev (meaning Mahadev enshrined in the ground) is worshipped and portable shrines containing images of mother goddesses are paraded through the streets.

Traditionally on the 15th of Chait, all horses and ponies belonging to government servants were assembled at the grand parade ground and entered into a race in front of the king and top officials who are stationed around a central monument.

It is celebrated in the name of goddess Annapurna.The fillings inside this dish is mainly condensed milk called "khuwa" and molasses "chaku".