There are countless festivals and events celebrated in Nepal each year, with many rooted in traditional and cultural practices that have been passed down for generations. The following is a list of some of the most popular festivals and events that can be expected to take place in Nepal in 2023:
Dashain: This is the biggest and most important festival in Nepal, celebrated by Hindus all over the country. It is a ten-day festival that marks the victory of good over evil and commemorates the slaying of the demon king Mahishasura by the goddess Durga. During the festival, people pray to the goddess and offer her animal sacrifices, and it is also a time for families to come together and celebrate.
Tihar: This is another major festival in Nepal that is celebrated by Hindus and Buddhists alike. It is a five-day festival that honors different deities and animals, including the crow, dog, cow, and ox. It is a time for people to decorate their homes with oil lamps and colorful strings of flowers, and to exchange gifts and sweets with friends and family.
Teej: This is a Hindu festival that is celebrated by women in Nepal, and it is a time for them to fast, pray, and seek blessings for their husbands and family. The festival is marked by the wearing of red saris and the singing of traditional songs and dances.
Lhosar: This is a festival celebrated by the Tibetan community in Nepal, and it marks the start of the Tibetan New Year. It is a time for people to come together and celebrate with traditional food, music, and dance.
Chhath: This is a Hindu festival that is celebrated in Nepal and other parts of India. It is a four-day festival that honors the sun god and is marked by the offering of prayers and offerings of food and water to the sun.
Janai Purnima: This is a Hindu festival that is celebrated by Nepalis and other Hindus around the world. It is a time for men to change the sacred thread (Janai) that they wear around their chests and to pray at temples.
Holi: This is a Hindu festival that is celebrated in Nepal and other parts of India and is known for its vibrant colors and joyful celebrations. It is a time for people to come together and throw colored powders and water at each other in a celebration of the victory of good over evil.
Bikram Sambat New Year: This is the New Year celebration for the Nepali calendar and is marked by the exchange of gifts, the lighting of oil lamps, and the singing of traditional songs and dances.
Bisket Jatra: This is a festival that is celebrated in the town of Bhaktapur in Nepal, and it is marked by the hoisting of a huge wooden chariot through the streets of the town. It is a time for people to come together and celebrate with music, dance, and other traditional activities.
Hila: This is a festival that is celebrated in the town of Barpak in Nepal, and it is marked by the hoisting of a huge flagpole through the streets of the town. It is a time for people to come together and celebrate with music, dance, and other traditional activities.
Pokhara International Mountain Film Festival: This is an annual film festival that is held in Pokhara, Nepal, and it is a time for people to come together and watch films about mountain culture and adventure.
Mani Rimdu festival: it is marked by the performance of traditional dance and music by monks and laypeople alike. It is a time for people to come together and celebrate the teachings of the Buddha, and seek blessings and purification.
Lumbini International Buddhist Film Festival: This is an annual film festival that is held in the town of Lumbini, Nepal, and it is a time for people to come together and watch films about Buddhism and its teachings.
Nepal Literature Festival: This is an annual festival that is held in Kathmandu, Nepal, and it is a time for writers, poets, and other literary figures to come together and celebrate literature and the arts.
Kathmandu International Mountain Film Festival: This is an annual film festival that is held in Kathmandu, Nepal, and it is a time for people to come together and watch films about mountain culture and adventure.
In conclusion, Nepal is a country with a rich and diverse culture, and its festivals and events reflect this diversity. From traditional Hindu and Buddhist festivals to contemporary film festivals and literary events, there is something for everyone to enjoy in Nepal.