If happiness had a season in Nepal, it would definitely be called Dashain. The Dashain festival in Nepal is the biggest and most significant time for the Nepalese people. It’s a precious time that is celebrated among family members and relatives by gathering in one place, enjoying delicious food, with lots of fun. This biggest festival usually falls around September or October, when the weather is calm and the skies are clear. Mainly celebrated by Hindus, this festival marks the victory of good over evil, especially the victory of Goddess Durga over a demon. But more than that, it is about joy, reunion, and shared happiness.
Homes are cleaned and painted, people buy new clothes, and several weeks of holidays for everyone, all just to welcome this festival with open arms. And that’s just the beginning! There are tika ceremonies where elders give blessings to their younger ones, giant bamboo swings standing tall in open fields, and a variety of cuisines. From spicy non-veg curry to mouthwatering sweets. Even tourists and trekkers during this season cannot stay far from it. Whether they are in the city or deep in the mountains, the Dashain spirit finds them. Stay tuned because this festival is just getting started.
Nepal’s 15-Day Dashain Festival
Fifteen days of food, family, and showing off card game skills; welcome to Nepal’s Dashain festival. It starts slowly and gently like a spark turning into a flame after catching a cotton. The first day is called Ghatasthapana, when people plant barley, rice, or maize seed in a pot, or tapari (leaf plate) to grow Jamara, which plays a great role during Tika. Each day, excitement builds a little more. By the time we reach Kojagrat Purnima, the full moon night, it wraps up 15 days of joy only to reopen again next year. Dashain takes everyone on a joyful ride. It’s like a slow-burning firework which bursts high up in the sky during Vijaya Dashami, when families gather for tika, blessings, and big smiles.
Every day in Dashain feels different. During the early days, the skies are fully filled with colorful kites. In the middle, families and relatives begin to gather to share happiness and stories. By Day 7-Fulpati, flowers arrive at home with traditional rituals. Day 8- Maha Aastami is known for sacrificing animals and prayers, followed by Day 9- Maha Navami, which worships and honors weapons and strength.
Then comes Day 10- Vijaya Dashami, where elders put tika and jamara on the foreheads of younger family members. The auspicious festival finally ends on Day 15- Kojagrat Purnima, when people stay up late in the evening under the full moon, praying for wealth and good luck. For visitors, it’s not just a festival, it’s like watching a living story in real life, not on TV or any screen.
Whole Nation Pauses for Celebration
When Dashain arrives, it’s as if someone hits the pause button on the entire country. Offices shut down, school bags sit in the corner of every house, and the street buzzes with last-minute shopping. Long-distance buses are fully packed with passengers, all heading back to their hometowns to celebrate the festival. All the highways are filled with loud horns and happy faces, while the airports are full of people who show excitement on their faces. Despite the chaos, there’s something exciting about it, the rush, the packed seats, and the long wait,0 it all feels like a collective countdown to joy.
As the cities become quiet, the villages come alive. People who usually spend their busy lives in towns return to their hometowns to celebrate this grand festival. Children meet with their cousins and friends and have fun flying kites, while grandparents sit outside, waiting to see their loved ones arrive. There is laughter, jokes, and stories that are only shared during this special time. Everything slows down, and the days feel a little longer and more exciting. Dashain is more than just a festival; it’s a joyful break to share happiness, feelings, and stories.
When the Dashain arrives, the whole nation presses the halt button, the whole country slows down, and everyone heads towards their home to celebrate. And just when Dashain ends, Tihar comes with the same happiness, but with fewer days of celebration. For Nepalis, September and October feel extra special, like gifts from the gods. First comes the Goddess of Power (Durga) during Bijaya Dashami, and then the Goddess of Wealth (Laxmi) during Tihar. It’s truly the most magical time of the year.
Wherever You Are, Dashain Embraces You
Dashain has a special way of making everyone feel like they belong to one big, joyful family. Whether you’re a Nepali living in the city or a lucky traveler visiting the country, the festival pulls people together. It’s a time when the entire family members living in different parts of the country reunite, hearts reconnect, and memories are made. One tika on the forehead, and suddenly you become someone’s relative, sharing food, jokes, and love like you’ve always been part of the family.
Even Nepalis living outside the country feel the pull of Dashain in their hearts. They may be a thousand miles from home, but the festival’s effect and spirit still find them. For travelers and tourists, it’s the perfect time to experience the real soul of Nepal. It’s not just about temples or mountain views, it’s about being part of something warm and welcoming.
Tip: You can leave Nepal, but Dashain will still find you- usually through a surprise video call during tika time!
Why Travel with HCTreks during Dashain Festival?
Thinking of visiting Nepal during Dashain? You’re in for a chance to witness something more than just the beautiful mountain views. With HCTreks, you’ll get a chance to experience the festival very closely. Watching ancient traditions, joining in the tika ceremony (the tenth day of the Dashain festival) with local families, and enjoying delicious home-cooked meals that taste better than any five-star restaurants or hotels. It’s a rare chance not just to visit Nepal, but to truly feel it. What makes it more special is that tourists are warmly welcomed to stay and celebrate with the families of the HCTreks’ owners themselves.
Our special Dashain treks will take you to walk through the heart of Nepal while the entire country celebrates. Whether you’re hiking the trails of Annapurna, enjoying the Everest Base Camp Trek, exploring the peaceful Langtang Valley, or relaxing in a quiet homestay, enjoying a cup of tea, the festive energy will be all around you. Dashain lasts for over two weeks, so you can plan your trip to enjoy different moments, from the first day of Ghatasthapana to the last day. Just remember to book early because even the yaks like to take a break during Dashain.
Notes: Join HCTreks this Dashain, we’ll take you high into the mountains, where WiFi is weak and relatives can’t reach you!
The Festival That Paints Nepal Red (with Tika!)
Dashain is Nepal’s biggest, most valued, and most loved festival, and it all starts with an epic and motivational story. Long ago, the Goddess Durga defeated a powerful demon named Mahishasur. He thought he was unbeatable, but Goddess Durga showed him who’s boss! It’s a powerful story that shows good always wins over evil. So every year, Nepal celebrates like champions with blessings, food, games, and lots of red tika.
During Dashain, the whole country shines with joy. Houses are decorated with marigold garlands, painted with new colours, temples are busy with prayers, and everyone looks extra happy. You’ll see a sacred red tika on foreheads, bright jamara behind ears, and happy grandparents and elders giving blessings. The air smells like incense, and the streets are full of smiling people. It’s a beautiful explosion of colours, love, lights, and tradition; an experience that you’ll never forget.
Ancient Rituals, Modern Reels: Dashain Then & Now
On the main day of Dashain. known as Tika Day, all the family members gather to receive blessings from their elders. You kneel down in front of your elders, and they gently put a red tika on your forehead, a symbol of protection and love. Then they put a handful of jamara behind your ears or on your head. The planting of jamara is especially done for this day. As they give you a blessing, along with it, they also give you “dakshina” (some money), which, as a kid, felt like a jackpot.
But Dashain has picked up some modern vibes too. These days, right after Vijaya Dashami, it’s time for family photoshoots, TikTok dances in Kurtha suruwal or saree, and fun videos of playing different games with cousins and family friends. Everyone wants to match outfits like they’re on a fashion show, and Instagram stories are full of redness and smiles. It’s a beautiful mix of respecting the old ways while adding the touch of Gen Z creativity. Dashain now isn’t just about blessings and dakshina, but it is also about reels, hashtags, and unforgettable memories.
Dashain’s Feast and Fun
When the Kitchen Becomes a Temple, Dashain on a Plate
During Dashain, the kitchen turns into a mandatory room of the home. The smell of Khasi ko masu (goat curry) cooking with rich spices fills the air of the entire house. Plates are loaded with sel roti, spicy achar (pickles), and warm rice. To increase the flavour, there’s a small glass of homemade rakshi (alcohol), adding that festive kick.
There’s even a popular saying, “Usko lagi ta Dashain nai aayo“, used when someone gets something extra special, especially in the case of food. It’s like getting a surprise bonus at work or free dessert items at a restaurant. That’s how good Dashain meals are! The mountain trails may test your legs, but Dashain will test your stomach capacity.
Cards and Chatter, The Real Dashain Family Showdown
After tika and feasting, the real Dashain competition begins, with the card games. Everyone joins this game, from teenagers to grandparents. Some play seriously, others just come for fun (and the sacks). The table is full of dried fruits, tea, and laughter. There’s always someone shouting “cheating!” with a smile, and someone pretending they really don’t care until they lose their last rupee.
New to the game? No need to worry, just sit confidently, act like you know everything, and win like a pro. Don’t be surprised if a 10-year-old kid beats you or a 90-year-old gives you winning tips. It’s all part of the fun. Earn money during the day, lose to grandmas by night. Lose money to a 10-year-old again, and win the blessing from a 90-year-old. Welcome to Nepal’s unofficial national sport: card buffing during Dashain!
Kites & Swings, Dashain’s Outdoor Playground
In villages and schoolyards, bamboo swings (ping) are built to celebrate the longest festival in Nepal. Kids as well as elders take turns swinging high, as if about to catch the flying bird, holding tight as the wind passes by, softly touching their faces. The breeze is cool, he swing’s wood creaks, and for a moment, the sky spins as laughter echoes through the open fields. It’s a little scary, a lot of fun, and a Dashain tradition that never gets old.
Then there are kites, colorful, bright, and bold, dancing in the blue sky, wagging their tails. Flying a kite feels like flying your dreams. It’s a fun battle too-cutting your neighbour’s kite line is a moment of pure victory, feeling like Goddess Durga cutting the demon’s ego. Shouts of joy that come out automatically, with kids running towards the falling kite to chase it. It’s all about freedom, fun, and that rare Dashain feeling you never forget.
Dashain Is Not Just a Festival, It’s a Feeling
Dashain is more than just Nepal’s most celebrated festival- it’s the longest Hindu festival and one of the most important festivals for many families. In 2025 and beyond, just like every year, it brings a special kind of joy that slows down time, fills homes with joy and laughter, and reunites entire family members once again. It’s a season of blessings, full plates, flying kites, and playful moments. Like Dashain, there are no other such festivals that bring that amount of happiness together. It’s not just a date on the calendar, but it’s a feeling that lives inside each Nepali, who eagerly wait each year to welcome it with a pure heart.
