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1. Bisket Jatra - Nepali New Year

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Bisket Jatra, also known as the Nepali New Year festival, is celebrated with huge fervour in the ancient city of Bhaktapur, which sits just outside of Kathmandu.

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The highlight of the festival is a chariot procession of the Hindu deities Bhairava and his consort Bhadrakali, pulled through the streets by enthusiastic devotees.

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The procession culminates in a tug-of-war between the eastern and western parts of the city, symbolizing the cosmic battle between light and darkness.

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Many Nepalis consider this festival the country’s main celebration of the year, and little surprise: it’s an overwhelmingly energetic spectacle of colour, festivity and performance, and the ultimate Nepali display of celebration.

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When: Basket Jatra typically takes place around mid-April in and around the surrounding provinces of Kathmandu, most famously Bhaktapur.

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2. Tihar or Diwali - The Festival of Lights

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Tihar, more commonly known as Diwali or the Festival of Lights, is a five-day-long celebration that honors various deities and animals in Hinduism.

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Each day of Tihar is dedicated to a different entity, including crows, dogs, cows, and oxen, with special offerings and rituals performed to seek blessings and protection. The festival culminates with Bhai Tika, a day dedicated to the bond between brothers and sisters, where sisters apply tika on their brothers' foreheads and perform aarti (rituals), followed by the exchange of gifts and sweets.

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All of Nepal is adorned with coloured lights and twinkling candles for Tihar, and the festival is at its most beautiful in the ancient streets of Old Kathmandu.

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When: Diwali is celebrated at the start of November

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3. Holi

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Celebrated with just as much fervour as in neighbouring India, Holi in Nepal is a colourful, revelatory and joyous affair. The country celebrates the triumph of good over evil by flinging colourful powdered paint into the air, engaging in grand water fights and feasting.

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Be warned: it can get hectic, and sometimes a bit too up-close-and-personal. Expect to be smothered in paint at any moment if you’re in a crowd. It’s all part of the celebrations, but can be overwhelming.

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For most people though, it’s an infectious outpouring of joy, and one that paints the whole of Kathmandu.

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When: Mid-March is when the colours begin to fly.

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4. Indra Jatra - The Living Goddess Festival

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Perhaps one of Nepal’s most bizarre and problematic festivals, the Indra Jatra is a traditional festival celebrated in the Kathmandu Valley to honor the rain god Indra and the living goddess Kumari. The highlight of the festival is the procession of chariots carrying the living goddess Kumari, along with masked dancers, musicians, and devotees dressed in colorful attire. The streets come alive with music, dance, and cultural performances, as locals and tourists alike gather to witness this spectacular display of tradition and devotion.

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5. Rato Machhendranath

Visitors to Nepal should not miss the opportunity to witness the Rato Machhendranath festival, a vibrant and deeply spiritual celebration that holds immense significance in Nepalese culture. This month-long festival, dedicated to the deity Rato Machhendranath, is celebrated with great enthusiasm in the Kathmandu Valley, particularly in the ancient city of Lalitpur.

The highlight of the festival is the chariot procession of the deity's idol, known as Bhoto Jatra, where devotees gather to pull the massive chariot through the streets, accompanied by traditional music, dance, and rituals.

Witnessing the Rato Machhendranath festival provides visitors with a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in Nepalese traditions, witness the devotion of the local community, and experience the vibrant colors and energy of this sacred celebration.

Moreover, it offers insight into the cultural heritage and religious practices that have shaped Nepal's identity for centuries, making it a truly unforgettable and enriching experience for all who attend.

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6. Romain Jatra -The Mud Festival

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No-one is clean by the end of Nepal’s Romain Jatral, held annually across Kathmandu’s countryside.

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Celebrated at the time when the rice paddies are planted for the year ahead, it’s essentially one nationwide mud-slinging fight, with locals and travellers alike engaging each other in a delirious, absurd celebration of the earth’s fertility.

Expect traditional music performances, dancing and a feast to round out the day of mud fighting.

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