Experiences

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.

Explore the beauty of the Himalayas with Thrillophilia’s Nepal Tour Packages. Discover Kathmandu’s rich culture, Pokhara’s serene lakes, and the spiritual charm of Lumbini. Enjoy trekking, wildlife safaris, and adventure activities tailored for all travelers. Our all-inclusive packages and expert guides ensure a seamless, memorable experience

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.

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Phunki Tenga

One of the highlights of Phunki Tenga is its warm hospitality and welcoming atmosphere. Trekkers are greeted with smiles and hospitality by the local residents, who take pride in sharing their culture and traditions with visitors. Tea houses and lodges in the village provide comfortable accommodations and hearty meals, ensuring that trekkers have a cozy place to rest and refuel after a day of exploration.Phunki Tenga also serves as a gateway to some of the most iconic attractions in the Everest region. The village is strategically located along the trekking route to Everest Base Camp, making it an ideal starting point for adventurers embarking on the journey of a lifetime. From Phunki Tenga, trekkers can continue their ascent towards renowned destinations such as Tengboche Monastery, Dingboche, and ultimately, the majestic Everest Base Camp itself.Apart from its natural beauty and trekking opportunities, Phunki Tenga holds cultural significance as well. The village is home to a vibrant community of Sherpas, who have inhabited the region for generations. Trekkers have the opportunity to interact with the locals, learn about their traditional way of life, and gain insights into Sherpa culture and customs.

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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.

+10

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Excellent

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+6

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+5

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Excellent

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+3

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Dussehra Celebration in Nepal

Celebrating Dussehra in Nepal: Traditions and Festivities

Hanuman Dhoka And Tundikhel, Kathmandu

Dakshinkali Temple, south of Kathmandu

Kathmandu Durbar Square and Taleju Temple

Bhaktapur and Patan neighbourhoods

Janakpur and the Ram Janaki precinct

People Also Ask About Nepal

Where can visitors see public Dussehra events in Kathmandu?

Is the Dussehra celebration in Nepal only for Hindus?

Do Nepalese people celebrate Dussehra?

What etiquette should visitors follow at temples and during tika?

Are shops and services open during the Dussehra celebration in Nepal?

What foods are typically prepared for Dussehra celebrations in Nepal?

What happens during the tika and jamara blessing?

What is Dashain, and how does it connect to the Dussehra celebration in Nepal?

When does Dashain usually take place?

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Celebrating Dussehra in Nepal: Traditions and Festivities

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People Also Ask About Nepal

Where can visitors see public Dussehra events in Kathmandu?

Is the Dussehra celebration in Nepal only for Hindus?

Do Nepalese people celebrate Dussehra?

What etiquette should visitors follow at temples and during tika?

Are shops and services open during the Dussehra celebration in Nepal?

What foods are typically prepared for Dussehra celebrations in Nepal?

What happens during the tika and jamara blessing?

What is Dashain, and how does it connect to the Dussehra celebration in Nepal?

When does Dashain usually take place?

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