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

Maghi New Year of the Tharu and Magar ethnic groups mainly celebrated in the Teraï
Tibetan New Year Tibetan New Year / Sherpa Losar
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
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
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
Teeji Sacred Dance Festival and Revelation of Tanka Celebrating the Arrival of Spring in Lo Manthang Capital of Mustang
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
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)
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
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
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

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

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