No matter what time of year you come to Nepal, you are sure to have the opportunity to experience at least one local festival. The most famous called Dashain comes in late September, and is a two week long celebration to honor the Mother Goddess of Creation. This is the Nepali equivalent of a holiday like Christmas or Hanukkah, where families return home to villages and spend hours feasting and celebrating. At the end of Dashain come the Tihar, festival of lights. Most village will have lights, dancing, and tika celebrations. Another fun and not to be missed festival is the Spring celebration of Holi. This is literally of celebration of color! The young, and young at heart, throw water balloons and tika powder all over everyone and everything. It is good fun... just plan on having a bad hair day, and don't wear clothes you don't want to get dirty. The tika powder stains deeply, and for people with highlighted hair it will leave permanent color (you have been forewarned!).
Nepalis, whether Hindu, Buddhist, or another religion, are very serious about their beliefs. So please honor their customs and traditions while you are here, and enjoy the spirituality the infuses everything in the Land of the Gods.
Nepalis, whether Hindu, Buddhist, or another religion, are very serious about their beliefs. So please honor their customs and traditions while you are here, and enjoy the spirituality the infuses everything in the Land of the Gods.
