Top 8 Festivals to Enjoy During Trekking Season in Nepal

Dashain (Vijaya Dashami): Nationwide Celebration

Dashain, or Vijaya Dashami, represents Nepal’s biggest and most drastic festival that the entire country participates in with enormous joy. It symbolizes the conquer of good over evil and is marked by family reunions, religious rituals, and colorful celebrations. The tenth day of the festival, known as Vijaya Dashami, is when the strictest celebrations take place. The festival occurs between September and October.

Festivities

• Many colored kites are seen in the sky, symbolizing victory and joy.
• This was marked by families coming together to share foods, gifts, exchange among themselves, etc.
• These include special foods like meat curies and sweets.
• Younger family members receive blessings from elders through a mixture made of yogurt, rice, and vermillion.

Trekking Regions

• Annapurna Region: Experience Dashain in Gurung and Magar villages with traditional processions and dances.
• Everest Region: Witness the festival in Sherpa communities like Namche Bazaar and Tengboche.
• Langtang Region: During your trek, enjoy local Tamang customs and celebrations.

Tihar (Deepawali): Nationwide Celebration with Regional Variations

This festival, also known as Deepawali, lasts five days and is characterized by lights and affluence that occur throughout Nepal. It involves lighting up homes, revering animals, and doing some rites in order to draw wealth and welfare. The event spans across five days between October and November.

Festivities

• Dogs  and crows are acknowledged with garlands plus treats for their fidelity.
• Worshiping cows while Laxmi Puja includes elaborate rituals.
• Homes are adorned with lights and rangoli as a means of welcoming Laxmi, the goddess of wealth.
• Sacred cow dung is worshipped and festive food is prepared.
• Sisters perform rituals for the well-being of their brothers while gifting them.

Trekking Regions

• Kathmandu Valley: Grand celebrations can be enjoyed on tours like the Kathmandu Valley tour, which has lit streets on them.
• Pokhara: Trekking in Annapurna and the Pokhara city tour  allows one to perceive a mixture of both modern-day celebrations along with traditional celebrations at the same time.
• Lumbini: Those who are doing the Lumibini tour shall experience a unique combination between Buddhist customs and Tihar festivities.

Mani Rimdu: Everest Region

The Sherpa people of the Everest area, especially in Tengboche Monastery, celebrate Mani Rimdu, which is a significant Buddhist festival. It is a colorful occasion that includes traditional mask dances, prayers, and sharing of food among community members aimed at driving away evil spirits and bringing blessings. This festival takes place either in October or November, depending on the Tibetan lunar calendar.

Festivities

• Monks perform elaborate dances in costumes that indicate good fighting evil
• Rituals are conducted to purify the environment and ensure peace.
• There is traditional sharing of sherpa foods by locals and travelers alike.
• The last day presents an opportunity for people to make bread offerings at the shrine within the monastery.

Trekking Region

• Everest Base Camp Trek: Pass run through Tengboche where you can experience this unique festival.
• Gokyo Lakes Trek: If time permits, you may visit Tengboche while enjoying spectacular views all around.

Lhosar (Tamu Losar, Sonam Losar, Gyalpo Losar): Different Himalayan Regions

Many diverse populations of people in Nepal mark the different Lhosar festivals, which are equivalent to a new year. Moreover, these ethnic festivals give insight into the rich cultural practices and customs of various communities in the Himalayan region of Nepal. Apart from being a major cultural practice, these festivals provide an overview of the varying traditions of Nepal’s Himalayan population.

Festival Month

• Tamu Losar: December to January.
• Sonam Losar: January to February.
• Gyalpo Losar: February to March.

Types of Lhosars 

• Tamu Losar: This type is celebrated by Gurung people who reside within the Annapurna range.
• Sonam Losar: This one is observed by Tamangs who live around Langtang area.
• Gyalpo Losar: It is a holiday for Sherpas from the region around Mount Everest.

Festivities

• Tamu Losar: This includes food, dances, and rituals associated with Gurungs.
• Sonam Losar: Exchanging messages among families by coming together as one family is done during this period; Tamang cuisines are another highlight together with purification ceremonies.
• Gyalpo Losar: It comprises of complex rituals emphasizing on everything related to horses as well as dance among Sherpas in addition to other cultural programs.

Trekking Region

• Tamu Losar: Observing this festival can be done during the Ghandruk village trek, which belongs to the Gurung community situated in the Annapurna trekking area.
• Sonam Losar: To celebrate these among Tamangs, make arrangements through towns like Syabrubesi located on the Langtang trekking route.
• Gyalpo Losar: It can be celebrated in Namche Bazaar during the Namche Bazaar Trek or any other treks in the Everest region.

Indra Jatra: Kathmandu Valley

Yearly celebrated in the Kathmandu valley, Indra Jatra is a colorful festival dedicated to Indra, the god of rain and harvest. This vibrant event signifies the end of the monsoon season, making it a tribute to that god who is claimed to provide fertility and abundance. The festival lasts 8 days and generally takes place in September. It coincides with the full moon day of Bhadra in the lunar calendar, with major festivities being at the start.

Festivities

• The festival features grand processions with intricately decorated chariots. Kumari Jatra, where the living goddess is paraded through Kathmandu, is one of the main highlights of the festival. The traditional music and dance accompany this event.
• Traditional mask dances performed by local Newar communities depict mythological stories and historical events, adding drama to these celebrations.
• Various cultural events, like music performances, are held alongside street plays showcasing Nepal’s rich heritage.
• In honor of Indra, temples are decorated with flowers and festiveanners while devotees pray and perform rituals.Temples are adorned with flowers and festive banners as devotees offer prayers and perform rituals to honor Indra.
• Street food stalls offer traditional Nepali delicacies, and the festival is a time for communal feasting and celebration.

Tours 

• Kathmandu City Tour: Witness the celebration of Indra Jatra with pomp and show.
• Bhaktapur and Patan Cultural Tours: Visit these ancient towns to see the wonderful culture of the Newars and their brilliant architecture during Indra Jatra.
• UNESCO Heritage Site Tour: Join in the fun and festivities of Indra Jatra as you hop from one cultural and historical site to another in the Kathmandu Valley.

Maghi (Maghe Sankranti): Tharu Communities, Terai Region

Maghi, also called Maghe Sankranti, is one of the most important festivals celebrated by the Tharu communities living in the Terai region of Nepal. This festival signifies the end of winter and the start of harvesting time. It is an occasion for joy and gratitude as it marks the transition from a cold winter season to a warm spring season. Maghi generally falls in the month January but its actual date varies each year dependent on the lunar calendar.

Festivities

• Festival celebrations include Tharu dances and folk melodies. These dances represent the community's rich cultural past and are vital in this celebration.
• Maghi receives a fantastic Tharu-style supper. These gatherings revolve around food, as families share traditional dishes.
• At Maghi, all Therai residents can socialize with neighbors. It strengthens their social relationships too. This season brings lively debates, folk songs, and joyful moments to community gatherings.
• The festival includes religious rites and offerings to deities to thank the harvest and ask for blessings for the year.

Tours

• Chitwan National Park Tour: The tour offers cultural and wildlife activities. Visit a cultural village to observe Maghi festivities up close. The Tharu people of Chitwan celebrate this event with dances and feasts.
• Lumbini tour: This area is the birthplace of Lord Buddha, but it also shows us Tharu culture. Maghi's cultural offerings include traditional music and dance performances around Lumbini.

Fagu Purnima (Holi): Nationwide, Terai Region Special Celebrations

Fagu Purnima, which is also called Holi, is a holiday of colors held during the full moon in March to welcome spring. Many people love the holiday because of the bright celebrations and happy mood. People play a game of colors, listen to music, and eat joyous meals together. Holi lasts on March’s full moon day, having different calendars for different years.

Festivities

• Participants throw and rub colorful powders and water onto each other.
• Traditional as well as modern songs take over, leading to unity through dancing together in groups.
• They prepare special sweets such as gujiya and drinks like thandai.
• Local events promote togetherness through festivities at large.

Tours

• Kathmandu Valley Rim Trek: Let's explore the scenic trails of Kathmandu Valley and celebrate Holi in Kathmandu as well as in the nearby cultural hubs.
• Chitwan National Park Wildlife Safari: Mix wildlife safaris with Holi activities in Chitwan where you can participate in the native Tharu customs.
• Lumbini Cultural Tour: Celebrate Holi at Lumbini, the site where Buddha was born, and see other historical sites nearby.
• Annapurna Base Camp Trek: Enjoy the beautiful mountain views and take part in the Holi celebrations in the villages of the Annapurna area.

Conclusion

Amidst the beautiful landscapes of Nepal, experiencing Holi adds to your trek a new and captivating dimension. Be it the cultural wealth of Kathmandu or the Chitwan festivities, even in the tranquility of Annapurna or the Everest area, Holi makes your expedition memorable by its colorfulness and jubilations.

Don’t miss out on this rare chance to combine trekking with one of the most fun-filled and cultural moments of Nepal.

For this impetus, be sure to book your tour with us today so that you can have a glimpse of its breathtaking sights while at the same time celebrating Holi tradition.