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 2019 Maghi New Year of the Tharu and Magar ethnic groups mainly celebrated in the Teraï
05 Feb 2019 Tibetan New Year Tibetan New Year
4 Mar 2019 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
20 - 21 Mar 2019 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 2019 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
30 May to 1st June 2019 Teeji Sacred Dance Festival and Revelation of Tanka Celebrating the Arrival of Spring in Lo Manthang Capital of Mustang
13 Apr 2019 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
August 2019 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)
10 – 18 Sep 2019 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
05 – 13 Oct 2019 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
26-30 Oct 2019 Tihar Festival of lights, dipawali in India culminating with Pooja in Laxmi, goddess of prosperity and the blessing of the brothers by their sisters

INDIA

Jan 2019 Jaisalmer Fair and camel races and festivities around the Thar desert citadel
Feb 2019 Nagaur Great livestock fair
Feb 2019 Stok Guru Tse Chu Winter Festival of Sacred and Masked Dances at Stok Ladakh Monastery
March 2019 Holi Celebration of Holika's Holocaust giving rise to water and color battles in Kathmandu and especially in Terai and all of India
March 2019 Matho Nagrang Winter festival of sacred and masked dances at the monastery of Matho Ladakh
Nov 2019 Pushkar Festival of the creator god Bhrama, which gives rise to a great fair and the oldest festivities of Rajasthan

BHUTAN

Dec 2019 TrongsaTshechu & Lhuentse Tshechu Holy masked dance festival and revelation of Thangka - sacred painting
Feb 2019 Punakha Tshechu Holy masked dance festival and revelation of Thangka - sacred painting
Mar & Apr 2019 Chhorten Kora Ritual Circumstances of Stupa and Pooja
Mar 2019 Gomphu Kora Ritual Circumstances of Stupa and Pooja
Mar 2019 Gasa Tshechu Holy masked dance festival and revelation of Thangka - sacred painting
Mars 2019 Paro Tshechu Holy masked dance festival and revelation of Thangka - sacred painting
Apr 2019 Ura Yakchoe Village Festival of Spring Celebration
June 2019 Nimalung Tshechu Holy masked dance festival and revelation of Thangka - sacred painting
June 2019 Kurjey Tshechu Holy masked dance festival and revelation of Thangka - sacred painting
1 Sep 2018 Dragon Tour Bike race
15 Sep 2018 Thimphu Drubchen Pooja ritual
Nov 2019 Wangdue Tshechu Holy masked dance festival and revelation of Thangka - sacred painting
Nov 2019 Tamshing Phala Chhoepa Bike race
Nov 2019 Thimphu Tshechu Holy masked dance festival and revelation of Thangka - sacred painting
Nov 2019 Thangbi Mani Pooja rituel
Nov 2019 Chhukha Tshechu Holy masked dance festival and revelation of Thangka - sacred painting
Nov 2019 Black Necked Crane Festival Festival celebrating the animal symbol of the Phobjika Valley, the black-necked crane
Nov 2019 Mongar Tshechu Holy masked dance festival and revelation of Thangka - sacred painting
Nov 2019 Trashigang Tshechu Holy masked dance festival and revelation of Thangka - sacred painting
Nov 2019 Jambay Lhakhang Drup Pooja ritual of Jambey Lhakhang monastery in JAkar - Bhumthang
Nov 2019 Pemagatshel Tshechu Holy masked dance festival and revelation of Thangka - sacred painting
Nov 2019 Nalakhar Tshechu Holy masked dance festival and revelation of Thangka - sacred painting
Dec 2019 Druk Wangyel Tshechu Holy masked dance festival and revelation of Thangka - sacred painting

TIBET

17.18 June 2019 Mount Kailash Dharpoche Saka Dawa Festival, celebrating Guru Rinpoche - Padma Sambhava
July 2019 Gyantse Dhamak Yogurt Festival giving rise to festivities including horse races
July 2019 Labrang Festival Sacred Dance Festival celebrating Guru Rinpoche with giant Thangka revelation, archery and horse racing