Dashain
Dashain also known as Bada Dashain or Bijaya Dashami is the most auspicious festival of Nepal celebrated throughout the globe by Nepalese people. Dashain is a long festival which is celebrated for 15 days as the national festival. The festival falls in September or October, starting from the shukla paksha (bright lunar fortnight) of the month of Ashvin and ending on purnima, the full moon. The first day is known as ghatasthapana and the last day as purnima. During the 15 days the most important day is the tenth day also known as the tika where elder offers tika and blessings to the younger ones. Dashain symbolizes the victory of good over evil.
Tihar
Tihar is celebrated right after the dashain in the gap of about 10 days. Tihar is especially known as the festival for brothers and sisters. During this festival crow, dog, cow and ox are also worshipped. The tihar begins with the kaag tihar(where people worship the crow) and ends with the bhai tika. Bhai tika is the main day of tihar where brothers and sisters offer tika to each other and exchange their gifts. Goddess Laxmi also known as the goddess of wealth is also worshiped during Tihar. We can view the spectacular sight of country in Tihar as all the houses are enlightened with candles and lights. Its date varies at the month of October or November.
Chhath
Chhath is the festival that is celebrated by the Nepalese people of tharus, maithils and madhesis ethnic group of Nepal including capital city Kathmandu. It is a Hindu festival dedicated to the Hindu Sun God, Surya and Chhathi Maiya (ancient Vedic Goddess Usha). During the Chhath festival the Nepal government declares the public holiday. The festival is celebrated for four days with the activities like holy bathing, fasting, standing in water for long period of time, offering prashads and arghya to the setting sun. It is celebrated at the month of November or October.
Janai Purnima
Janai purnima is celebrated by the Hindus, Buddhist and Jain. It is celebrated on the month Bhadra of Nepali calendar. Hindus celebrates Janai Purnima by having the special dish known as Qwati, and mainly the Brahmins and chettri community people change the sacred around their neck. The Buddhist bath in scared steams and visits their temple. During the festival many pilgrims visits the Goshainkunda and bath at the scared lake. It is celebrated in the month of August of Gregorian Calendar.
Krishnasthami
Krishnasthami is celebrated as the birthday of lord Krishna. During this festival many devotees visits the near Krishna Temple and worship lord Krishna. The festival overlaps with August and September in the Gregorian Calender.
Indrajatra
Indrajatra is celebrated for 8 days and marks as the end of rainy season. The festival falls on the mid September and is celebrated by the Newar community people. Nepal Government announces the public holiday on Kathmandu valley on the main day of the festival, the day when the living goddess Kumari is paraded on a special chariot (built for this purpose) through Kathmandu.
Gaijatra
Gaijatra is celebrated by the Newar community people in the month of bhadra. Newars who have lost loved ones during that year traditionally disguise themselves as cow and dances around the streets. It falls on either August or September. There is public holiday on the Kathmandu valley in this day. It is also a grand festival in Jumla, which is celebrated by marching the cows in the street.
Buddha Jayanti
Buddha Jayanti is celebrated to commemorate the birth of Lord Buddha who was born in the Lumbini. It falls on the Baishak month of Nepali calendar and in the month of May in GregorianCalendar. The event is celebrated by gentle and serene fervor, keeping in mind the very nature of Buddhism. People goes to viharas to observe a rather longer-than-usual, full length Buddhist sutra. There is a public holiday in whole country on the occasion of Buddha Jayanti.