CALENDAR OF FESTIVALS AND FESTIVITIES IN NEPAL - INDIA - BHUTAN - TIBET

Below is the calendar of Festivals to be held in Nepal, India, Bhutan, Tibet.

NEPAL

15 Jan Maghi New Year of the Tharu and Magar ethnic groups mainly celebrated in the Teraï
21 Feb Tibetan New Year Tibetan New Year / Sherpa Losar
18 Feb Shiva Ratri Night of the lord Shiva, when the god is celebrated by libations, dances and use of narcotics in the interesting temple of Pashupatinath
6 Mar Holi Celebration of colors, Holika Demon Holocaust celebration giving rise to battles of water and colors in Kathmandu (March 20th) in the Teraï (March 21st) and in all India
14 Apr Bisket Jatra Newar tantric festival of Bhaktapur and Thimi coinciding (coincidentally) with the Nepalese New Year commemorating the great battle and victory of the good over the evil of Mahabarath with parade of wagons effigies of Bhairav and Bhadra and struggles taking place around a great tower ceremonial
27-28-29 Mar Teeji Sacred Dance Festival and Revelation of Tanka Celebrating the Arrival of Spring in Lo Manthang Capital of Mustang
29 Mar Seto & Rato machendranath Giant chariot parade carrying the statue of the god Machendranath, Seto - white in Kathmandu, Rato - red in Patan and Bungamati (syncretism of Indra god of the Hindu rain and Avalokiteswar Bodisatva of compassion for Hindus) taking place at the end of April beginning of May so to summon rain for an early monsoon
12 Aug Janai purnima Festival where Bhramin and Chettri castes (born twice) change the sacred cord they wear and moment of festivities and pilgrimages to the sacred lakes including Gosaikunda (Langtang), the gathering of animist shamans give rise to dances, trances and festivities and the Gai Jatra Festival (Sacred Cow Parade in Memory of the Dead)
9 Sep Indra Jatra Parade of chariot in tribute to Indra god of the rain and king of the gods, where appears the Kumari living protective goddess of Kathmandu
2-5 Oct Dashain 12-day festival symbolizing the victory of Ram (Vishnu's avatar) on the Ravan demon and where the elders bless their cadets real national holiday of Nepal
24-27 Oct Tihar Festival of lights, dipawali in India culminating with Pooja in Laxmi, goddess of prosperity and the blessing of the brothers by their sisters
Full moon of the 6* Tibetan month Festival of Dho / Tarap Great religious festival at the monastery of Riwo Bumpa - Dho Tarap.

INDIA

Jaisalmer Fair and camel races and festivities around the Thar desert citadel
Nagaur Great livestock fair
Stok Guru Tse Chu Winter Festival of Sacred and Masked Dances at Stok Ladakh Monastery
Holi Celebration of Holika's Holocaust giving rise to water and color battles in Kathmandu and especially in Terai and all of India
Matho Nagrang Winter festival of sacred and masked dances at the monastery of Matho Ladakh
Pushkar Festival of the creator god Bhrama, which gives rise to a great fair and the oldest festivities of Rajasthan

BHUTAN

31 Dec 2022 - 2 Jan 2023 TrongsaTshechu & Lhuentse Tshechu Holy masked dance festival and revelation of Thangka - sacred painting
13-15 Mar Punakha Tshechu Holy masked dance festival and revelation of Thangka - sacred painting
18 Mar Chhorten Kora Ritual Circumstances of Stupa and Pooja
11 Apr Gomphu Kora Ritual Circumstances of Stupa and Pooja
8 - 11 Apr Gasa Tshechu Holy masked dance festival and revelation of Thangka - sacred painting
12-16 Apr Paro Tshechu Holy masked dance festival and revelation of Thangka - sacred painting
13-17 May Ura Yakchoe Village Festival of Spring Celebration
7-9 Jul Nimalung Tshechu Holy masked dance festival and revelation of Thangka - sacred painting
9 Jul Kurjey Tshechu Holy masked dance festival and revelation of Thangka - sacred painting
7 Sep Dragon Tour Bike race
1 Oct Thimphu Drubchen Pooja ritual
3-5 Oct Wangdue Tshechu Holy masked dance festival and revelation of Thangka - sacred painting
5-7 Oct Tamshing Phala Chhoepa Bike race
5-7 Oct Thimphu Tshechu Holy masked dance festival and revelation of Thangka - sacred painting
9-10 Oct Thangbi Mani Pooja rituel
1-3 Nov Chhukha Tshechu Holy masked dance festival and revelation of Thangka - sacred painting
11 Nov Black Necked Crane Festival Festival celebrating the animal symbol of the Phobjika Valley, the black-necked crane
30 Nov - 03 Dec Mongar Tshechu Holy masked dance festival and revelation of Thangka - sacred painting
Trashigang Tshechu Holy masked dance festival and revelation of Thangka - sacred painting
8-11 Nov Jambay Lhakhang Drup Pooja ritual of Jambey Lhakhang monastery in JAkar - Bhumthang
6-8 Nov Pemagatshel Tshechu Holy masked dance festival and revelation of Thangka - sacred painting
7-9 Oct Nalakhar Tshechu Holy masked dance festival and revelation of Thangka - sacred painting
13 Dec Druk Wangyel Tshechu Holy masked dance festival and revelation of Thangka - sacred painting

TIBET

Mount Kailash Dharpoche Saka Dawa Festival, celebrating Guru Rinpoche - Padma Sambhava
Gyantse Dhamak Yogurt Festival giving rise to festivities including horse races
Labrang Festival Sacred Dance Festival celebrating Guru Rinpoche with giant Thangka revelation, archery and horse racing
Tibetain New Year (Losar) Celebration in the families for the new year, various rituals and festivities the following days in monasteries in Tibet