collection
Kathmandu Valley Festival CalendarTwelve festivals that own the valley's streets, in calendar order — chariots, lamps, colors, and processions, with confirmed dates for the coming year.
12 stops
Editorial · reetu.fyifestivals · culture
FestivalKathmandu
Tihar (Deepawali)
Five days of lamps, garlanded dogs, and door-to-door carols — the festival of lights, November's highlight.
About this place
FestivalKathmandu
Summary
Tihar, the five-day festival of lights, turns Kathmandu into candles and marigolds. Each day honors a different being — crow, dog, cow, and ox — before Laxmi Puja lights every doorway with oil lamps and rangoli for the goddess of wealth, and Deusi-Bhailo singing groups move house to house. For Newars it culminates in Mha Puja, the ritual worship of one's own body and the Newari New Year (Nhu Dan).
Skip if
Skip if you need quiet evenings — firecrackers and carol groups run late into the night.
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