Celebrating Dussehra in Nepal: Traditions and Festivities

Dussehra, also known as Dashain, is Nepal’s most significant and widely celebrated festival. Lasting for 15 days, it honours Goddess Durga and symbolises the victory of good over evil, bringing together family, faith, and community across the nation.

The opening rite is Ghatasthapana, when a kalash filled with holy water is kept, and barley seeds are planted to grow jamara. Day 7 brings Phulpati, a state ceremony with sacred offerings brought from Gorkha to Kathmandu with military honours and public attendance. The peak falls on Vijaya Dashami, when elders place tika made of rice, yoghurt and vermilion on younger relatives and give Jamara as a blessing for health and fortune.

Across towns and villages, the Dussehra celebration in Nepal also included bamboo swings called ping, kite flying that signals clear autumn skies, and markets busy with new clothes, sweets and gifts. Many families visit Durga and Kali temples for special worship, while Malshree music plays through the season. The final day is Kojagrat Purnima, devoted to Lakshmi, when families stay awake in hope of prosperity. By the time the full moon sets, you will have seen a country at home with its traditions and a festival that ties family, faith and community together.

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01

Hanuman Dhoka And Tundikhel, Kathmandu

Dussehra celebration in Nepal takes a formal turn at Hanuman Dhoka and the Tundikhel parade ground. On Day 7, you will see the Phulpati bundle escorted with military honours, a tradition that links Gorkha to the historic royal seat in Kathmandu. Crowds line the route as officials and bands assemble, and the ceremony concludes inside the old palace complex.

During Maha Ashtami and Maha Navami, rituals in the Kot courtyard recall historic state offerings. On Vijaya Dashami, Kathmandu remains quiet as people gather in their homes for the tika, while Tundikhel remains busy with kite flyers and tourists enjoying the holiday atmosphere.
02

Dakshinkali Temple, south of Kathmandu

Dussehra celebration in Nepal shows its most intense devotional side at Dakshinkali temple nepal, a major shrine to the fierce form of the goddess. Devotees arrive before dawn on Tuesdays and Saturdays during Dashain, offering goats, ducks or chickens according to family vows.

Priests conduct fast-moving rites while lines stretch across the stone forecourt. You will notice red hibiscus, marigold garlands and trays of rice, oil lamps and incense. Many pilgrims keep the meat as prasad for family feasts later in the day. The road can be busy, so early morning visits are practical for avoiding long queues.
03

Kathmandu Durbar Square and Taleju Temple

On Maha Navami, the Dussehra celebration in Nepal offers you a unique experience when the Taleju Temple inside Kathmandu Durbar Square becomes accessible to the public. The sanctuary is closed for the rest of the year, so this is the only day you can enter to offer prayers to the royal goddess.

Newar communities arrange music with traditional instruments and observe worship of tools and vehicles (a practice linked to Vishvakarma). Around the square, you will still find living heritage in the palace courtyards, with elders guiding younger family members through the etiquette of offerings and blessings.

04

Bhaktapur and Patan neighbourhoods

Witnessing the Dussehra celebration in Nepal is best done in the peaceful brick corridors of Bhaktapur or the courtyards of Patan. Families gather indoors for tika while the streets grow quieter than usual. You will spot Jamara trays in household shrines, fresh Sel Roti stacked in kitchens and cousins arriving with fruit gifts for elders.

When families finish their home rituals, local processions and masked performances appear in the evenings, especially in traditional Newar quarters. Potters in Bhaktapur sell small clay lamps and leaf plates for prasad. In Patan, artisans prepare decorative items for altars, keeping techniques that have been passed down for generations.

Discover the best places to visit in Nepal with Bhaktapur’s ancient charm and Patan’s cultural heritage, where stunning temples and lively neighborhoods showcase timeless beauty.
05

Janakpur and the Ram Janaki precinct

The Dussehra celebration in Nepal carries special meaning in Janakpur, celebrated as the city of Sita. The Janaki Mandir precinct hosts Ramayana-themed plays, devotional music and community feasts that draw pilgrims from the Terai and from across the border.

You will see decorative arches, rangoli designs and processions with images of Rama and Sita. Nearby ponds reflect the bright lights in the evenings, and families stop for sweets after temple darshan. On Vijaya Dashami, many people visit temples before receiving their tika from elders.

People Also Ask About Nepal

  1. Where can visitors see public Dussehra events in Kathmandu?

    Visitors can see public Dussehra events in Kathmandu, in Tundikhel, which hosts the Phulpati honours on Day 7, with military bands and officials. Hanuman Dhoka is the endpoint for the procession. Taleju Temple opens to the public on Maha Navami inside Kathmandu Durbar Square. Devotees also gather at Dakshinkali for major worship.
  2. Is the Dussehra celebration in Nepal only for Hindus?

    No, although grounded in Hindu worship, individuals from various communities participate in cultural programs, fairs, kite flying, and family gatherings during Dussehra. Respectful visitors can observe ceremonies and join public events.
  3. Do Nepalese people celebrate Dussehra?

    Yes, Dussehra is celebrated in Nepal, and is commonly observed as Dashain. The themes for both remain the same, with worship of Goddess Durga, family tika and Jamara blessings, fairs, kites and swings. Participation is broad, with many communities joining cultural events beyond temple rituals
  4. What etiquette should visitors follow at temples and during tika?

    Before entering temples, take off your shoes and dress modestly. Refrain from touching ritual objects and accept prasad with your right hand. Avoid bringing leather objects to temples and always get permission before taking any pictures. Bring fruit or sweets and sit politely if you are invited to tika.
  5. Are shops and services open during the Dussehra celebration in Nepal?

    Many government offices, schools, and family businesses close during the Dussehra celebration in Nepal. Transport is crowded as people travel home. Tourist areas operate during specific hours, and eateries and restaurants often have reduced staff availability.
  6. What foods are typically prepared for Dussehra celebrations in Nepal?

    Popular foods include Sel Roti, mutton or goat curry and festival snacks like Bhatmas Sadheko and Aalu Achar for Dussehra celebration in Nepal. The phrase "Dashain aayo khaunla piunla" captures the ritual of eating a meal with extended relatives.
  7. What happens during the tika and jamara blessing?

    During the tika and jamara blessing, elders place a red tika of rice, yoghurt and vermilion on the foreheads of younger relatives and then place Jamara barley shoots on the head. The blessing, which is an essential part of the Dussehra celebration in Nepal, is a hope for good health, safety, and wealth in the next year.
  8. What is Dashain, and how does it connect to the Dussehra celebration in Nepal?

    Dashain is a 15-day Hindu festival in Nepal that honours Durga’s victory over Mahishasura and Lord Rama’s victory in the Ramayana. In Nepal, Dussehra is celebrated during the same season but is marked by unique Nepali rituals, family blessings, and public ceremonies.
  9. When does Dashain usually take place?

    Dates for Dussehra in Nepal follow the lunar calendar and usually fall in late September or October. In 2025, Dussehra will be celebrated on October 02 with the Dashain tika
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