Diwali in Nepal 2025

Also known as Tihar, Diwali in Nepal is a five-day festival that brings joy, light, and unity among people all over the country. Although it is similar to the Indian Diwali, Tihar has its own unique customs and traditions, showing the cultural heritage of Nepal. The festival is generally celebrated between mid-October and mid-November, as per the Nepali lunar calendar.

The festival is celebrated for five days, and each day is dedicated to different beings and deities. Known as Kaag Tihar, the first day is dedicated to crows as they are considered messengers of death and protectors from bad luck in Nepalese culture. The second day, Kukur Tihar, honours dogs for their loyalty and companionship. You can find dogs being adorned with garlands, marked with tika, and offered special treats. The third day of Tihar is celebrated as Gai Tihar & Lakshmi Puja, when cows are worshipped for their role in farming.

The fourth day of the festival is known as Goru Tihar & Govardhan Puja, in which oxen are worshipped for their significant role in farming and daily life. The final day of the festival is celebrated as Bhai Tika, which is the day of brothers and sisters. Diwali celebration in Nepal is not only about the victory of light over darkness, but also shows the significance of animals and Nepali culture.
Image description
Bigger Group? Get special offers upto 50% off!
We create unforgettable adventures, customised for your group.
Connect with a group tour expert
Full Name
Email
Phone number
Travel Date
Traveller Count
Message

Places To Visit In Nepal For Diwali

01

Kathmandu

The capital of Nepal, Kathmandu, comes alive with colourful lights, decorated homes, and oil lamps. The markets are filled with candles, traditional sweets, and garlands for the festival. While exploring the city, you can see locals performing Laxmi Puja and praying for prosperity and wealth. Being the main hub of Diwali in Nepal, Kathmandu has a festive ambience as streets, temples, and squares are illuminated. You can also visit some famous temples like Pashupatinath and Swayambhunath, which host special ceremonies.

During Tihar, you can also see cultural programmes in Kathmandu, such as traditional dances and music. As you visit the city on Diwali, you get a chance to learn about Nepalese traditions while enjoying festive food, local markets, and cheerful celebrations.
02

Patan (Lalitpur)

Patan, known for its ancient architecture and rich history, offers a unique experience during Tihar. You can visit Patan Durbar Square, where streets are adorned with flowers, rangoli designs, and oil lamps. During this festival, locals follow their traditions to honour animals, gods, and nature. 

You can get to know about the traditional Newari culture through its food offerings, music, and dance during the festival. While exploring the city, you can admire the beautiful lighting, taste local sweets, and visit temples such as Hiranya Varna Mahavihar (Golden Temple) and Kumbheshwar Temple. With heritage and festive vibes, Patan is a unique place to enjoy the Diwali celebration in Nepal. 
03

Bhaktapur

Bhaktapur is the city where you can find Nepalese culture in its purest form, making it an ideal place to experience the beauty of Diwali. During the festival, the squares and cobbled streets are adorned with colourful decorations and oil lamps. You can see traditional rituals like honouring cows, crows, dogs, and oxen, showcasing respect for animals. 

While exploring local markets, you can shop for festive sweets, handicrafts, and Tihar decorations. You can also enjoy traditional Newari cuisine, cultural performances, and society celebrations. There are some temples, like Dattatreya Temple and Nyatapola Temple, where you can see Laxmi Puja and significant ceremonies of Nepali traditions.

04

Pokhara

Renowned for its mountain views and beautiful lakes, Pokhara is an ideal place to celebrate Diwali in Nepal. The city has a peaceful and festive atmosphere where you can see locals decorating their homes and Phewa Lake with flowers, oil lamps, and candles. In Pokhara, you can see the importance of family gatherings and traditional rituals such as Bhai Tika. 

On Diwali, you can enjoy a boat ride and be amazed by the beautiful reflections of illuminated homes in the water. You can also enjoy Nepalese sweets and celebrate Laxmi Puja for wealth and prosperity. 

05

Janakpur

Janakpur is the city of Goddess Sita, where Diwali is celebrated with splendour and devotion. You can experience a spiritual ambience as homes, temples, and streets are decorated with candles and oil lamps. The city is known for its unique Maithili culture, which you can see in the festival food and decorations. 

Also, you can enjoy dances, music, and traditional rituals performed by locals, making the festival lively and joyful. You can stroll through the local markets selling Tihar-specific objects and witness Laxmi Puja on Tihar (Diwali). If you are wondering how is Diwali celebrated in Nepal, you can visit some spiritual places like Janki Temple, Ram Mandir, and Dhanush Sagar. 

People Also Ask About Nepal

  1. Is Dashain the same as Diwali?

    No, Dashain and Diwali are distinct festivals in Nepal. Dashain celebrates Goddess Durga’s victory over evil and emphasises family reunions, while Diwali, or Tihar, celebrates light, prosperity, and gratitude toward gods, animals, and loved ones.
  2. What are the 5 days of Tihar in Nepal?

    Tihar is celebrated over five days: Kaag Tihar (crow worship), Kukur Tihar (dog worship), Gai Tihar (cow worship), Govardhan Puja (honouring nature and wealth), and Bhai Tika (celebrating the bond between brothers and sisters).
  3. When is Diwali celebrated in Nepal?

    Diwali, also known as Tihar in Nepal, is celebrated in October or November for five days. It is celebrated on the basis of the lunar calendar, so the exact date may vary. The festival generally falls in the Nepali month of Kartik, when you can enjoy unique rituals or customs
  4. How is the Diwali celebration different in Nepal from India?

    In Nepal, Diwali is celebrated as Tihar, a five-day festival that honours animals like crows, dogs, and cows, along with gods. In India, Diwali marks Lord Rama’s return or Lord Krishna’s victory over Narakasura, while in Nepal, Tihar focuses on gratitude, nature, and family bonds.
  5. What are the key traditions and rituals of Tihar in Nepal?

    Diwali celebration in Nepal includes five-day ritual,s i.e. Kaag Tihar, Kukur Tihar, Gai Tihar, Govardhan Puja, and Bhai Tika. Kaag Tihar is dedicated to crow worship, Kukr Tihar for dog worship, Gai Tihar for cow worship, Govardhan Puja for ox worship, and Bhai Tika for sibling bond. You can see homes and streets decorated with rangoli, lights, and oil lamps.
Newly Added Nepal Experience

Nepal Top Attractions

Places To Visit In Nepal
03 May 2017
Excellent
Having trekked in the Sahayadris for over 4-5 years now and after doing two himalayan treks in the previous season, I wanted to do a more challenging trek. So finally I decided to climb the base camp of the highest mountain in the world. The majestic mountain range had been in my bucket list for many years. Now seemed to be the right time, and so I set off in search of the "Everest". I always thought how difficult could it be to climb mountains, after all, it just takes putting one step ahead of the other. I was wrong, it indeed turned out to be more difficult than I imagined. This is due to the rarefied air in the atmosphere, that makes breathing difficult. Even a nominal gradient while ascending seems to be a task. But thankfully I wasn't hit by any symptoms of AMS ( Acute Mountain Sickness ) which makes the mountaineer's job tremendously difficult at high altitudes. On the trek, it was the promise of some awesome photos, that helped me carry through many steep climbs. But, the sheer beauty of the barren mountains with clear blue sky in the backdrop and the ferocious Dudh Koshi River inspired me not to give up but to keep climbing. During the climb of Kala Patthar, I learnt the importance of balance and concentration, even when you are exhausted beyond limit. On the Kala Patthar summit day, I set out at 4 in the morning, climbing through the mountain with a 50-70 degree gradient; sub zero temperatures, chilly winds and freezing weather. It was total dark and the only thing I could see through my head torch was the next step. From this moment till 6 am in the morning, I only thought about the awesome feeling of summiting and achieving my goal. As the air was thin, I concentrated on breathing properly and adequately and took synchronized baby steps. And, finally at 6:30 am I reached the Summit (5643m)! The view of the sunrise on Everest was just spectacular and the feeling of having summited, exhilarating!! The Everest Base Camp and Kala Patthar expedition made me realize that to achieve a goal, it is important to believe in your own efforts and strength (Both Physical and Mental).But more than that, we should be grateful towards the ecosystem around and factors beyond our control which play an equally important role in our journey to achieve anything.
30 July 2018
Excellent
Trekking the adorable Himalayas is always a must on the “to do” list of an avid trekker. After trekking over the Sahyadris and taking a few treks in Karnataka I decided to place my foot on the Himalayan Mountain Ranges. Going through the various options from Chadar, Sandakphu, Roopkund, Hampta Pass, etc. I finally narrowed down to the Everest Base Camp. The very thought of following the footsteps of Sir Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay thrilled me to the core. The sight of having a close encounter with the highest point on earth just pushed further my excitement levels. After a series of e-searches and consulting with other fellow trekkers, I finally made up my mind to enroll for the 14 day EBC Trek with Thrillophilia. The EBC Trek was by far my best trek so far. Though the thin air made the ascent difficult and more challenging, I am glad that I was able to complete the trek. The amazing view of snow clad mountains, the vast greenery and above all the company of similar fun-loving folks made the trek a memorable one. Kudos to the team at Thrillophilia. The trek was not only organized well but the pricing was also reasonable. All the questions, concerns, doubts and apprehensions I that had were properly attended by the travel consultant at Thrillophilia, Miss Madhuri Mathur despite some of them being repetitive. The representatives Mr. Subid Sahoo and Mr. Nitish Singh as well as the trek Guide Mr. Bijay along with his assistants were all friendly and helpful. I will definitely suggest my pals to go for this trek. I wish to do it again sometime soon. Cheers, Vignesh
20 October 2014
Rameshwar Bharadwaj Everest Base Camp Trek
Excellent
A good trek at a very reasonable price is what I need to say about this trek first of all. I had a comfortable and good stay at the base camp. The camping was a great fun and I enjoyed to the core. Heard that this was the most challenging trek of Nepal and so I decided to try this out. This was obviously challenging but I could make it out till the end. it was just out of the world experience
23 September 2015
Sucheta Namboothiri Everest Base Camp Trek
Excellent
The mountains were brilliant and nice, the clear sky after the summer monsoon had dusted away the dust and we hence got a chance to have a clear view of the whole peak and the adjacent places. The days we spent at the camp base was cooler even though it could have been more long.
15 April 2019
Manjunath Manjunath Annapurna Base Camp Trek
Excellent
The trekking was very good. Also as we had a small group all the arrangements were good. As we did not expected more snow it was fun walking in snow for full day to reach the ABC. The view was spectacular at the base camp and got quiet good photos. Guide/Porter was very co-operating and helped us a lot while walking in the snow (as we did not had proper shoes to trek in snow :) )
Excellent
I booked this tour as my first solo trip and I was amazed by its execution. We covered many old temples and monuments in a perfect span of time. The trip truly was amazing from the places to the people and the team were all very friendly. The food was delicious and pure. Will definitely plan our next trip with you.
Excellent
I booked this trip from India to Nepal with my family. Nepal has best surroundings with cool environment and the highest mountain peaks. Everything mentioned was good and taken care of, the best thing was the time management, the staff and driver were friendly and gave a feel f home. It was an amazing trip which we visited and truly worth it. Would recommend anyone visiting, would try and visit with Thrillophilia.
Excellent
We booked this tour after going thoroughly to the plan and it was interesting, so we finally decided to pick it and it. The places are filled with ancient temples and cool surroundings. All the transportation mentioned were managed by the team and it was on time, with a well-behaved driver. It was wonderful and absolutely recommended.
Excellent
We booked this tour with our friends from Chennai. The great mountains range in Nepal make the whole trip more beautiful and scenic. Everything for the trip was well planned and specially the food served was mouth watering. Totally recommendable.
Excellent
Nepal has it all being it spirituality, nature, adventure and history! It was fun visiting the summits for the sunrise early morning. The hotels were really comfortable which drained out all the tiredness of the day and freshens us every next morning. It was a fun a trip looking froward for more.

Popular Nearby Places Around Nepal

Popular Related Destinations

International Things to Do

Currency Picker
Commonly Used Currencies
INR -
Indian Rupee
USD - $
United States Dollar
EUR -
Euro
SGD - $
Singapore Dollar
AUD - $
Australian Dollar
GBP - £
British Pound
AED - د.إ
United Arab Emirates Dirham
All Other Currencies
ALL - L
Albanian Lek
AMD - դր.
Armenian Dram
ARS - $
Argentine Peso
AWG - ƒ
Aruban Florin
BBD - $
Barbadian Dollar
BDT -
Bangladeshi Taka
BMD - $
Bermudian Dollar
BND - $
Brunei Dollar
BOB - Bs.
Bolivian Boliviano
BSD - $
Bahamian Dollar
BWP - P
Botswana Pula
BZD - $
Belize Dollar
CAD - $
Canadian Dollar
CHF - CHF
Swiss Franc
CNY - ¥
Chinese Renminbi Yuan
COP - $
Colombian Peso
CRC -
Costa Rican Colón
CZK -
Czech Koruna
DKK - kr.
Danish Krone
DOP - $
Dominican Peso
DZD - د.ج
Algerian Dinar
EGP - ج.م
Egyptian Pound
ETB - Br
Ethiopian Birr
FJD - $
Fijian Dollar
GHS -
Ghanaian Cedi
GIP - £
Gibraltar Pound
GMD - D
Gambian Dalasi
GTQ - Q
Guatemalan Quetzal
GYD - $
Guyanese Dollar
HKD - $
Hong Kong Dollar
HNL - L
Honduran Lempira
HRK - kn
Croatian Kuna
HTG - G
Haitian Gourde
HUF - Ft
Hungarian Forint
IDR - Rp
Indonesian Rupiah
ILS -
Israeli New Sheqel
JMD - $
Jamaican Dollar
KES - KSh
Kenyan Shilling
KGS - som
Kyrgyzstani Som
KHR -
Cambodian Riel
KYD - $
Cayman Islands Dollar
KZT -
Kazakhstani Tenge
LAK -
Lao Kip
LBP - ل.ل
Lebanese Pound
LKR -
Sri Lankan Rupee
LRD - $
Liberian Dollar
LSL - L
Lesotho Loti
MAD - د.م.
Moroccan Dirham
MDL - L
Moldovan Leu
MKD - ден
Macedonian Denar
MMK - K
Myanmar Kyat
MNT -
Mongolian Tögrög
MOP - P
Macanese Pataca
MUR -
Mauritian Rupee
MVR - MVR
Maldivian Rufiyaa
MWK - MK
Malawian Kwacha
MXN - $
Mexican Peso
MYR - RM
Malaysian Ringgit
NAD - $
Namibian Dollar
NIO - C$
Nicaraguan Córdoba
NOK - kr
Norwegian Krone
NPR - Rs.
Nepalese Rupee
NZD - $
New Zealand Dollar
PEN - S/
Peruvian Sol
PGK - K
Papua New Guinean Kina
PHP -
Philippine Peso
PKR -
Pakistani Rupee
QAR - ر.ق
Qatari Riyal
RUB -
Russian Ruble
SAR - ر.س
Saudi Riyal
SCR -
Seychellois Rupee
SEK - kr
Swedish Krona
SLL - Le
Sierra Leonean Leone
SOS - Sh
Somali Shilling
SVC -
Salvadoran Colón
SZL - E
Swazi Lilangeni
THB - ฿
Thai Baht
TTD - $
Trinidad and Tobago Dollar
TZS - Sh
Tanzanian Shilling
UYU - $U
Uruguayan Peso
UZS - so'm
Uzbekistan Som
YER -
Yemeni Rial
ZAR - R
South African Rand
JPY - ¥
Japanese Yen
VND -
Vietnamese dong