(In a series of the calendar as they occur)
Lhosar: (January-February) mainly celebrated by Sherpas
Basanta Panchami: (January-February) harbinger of spring, goddess Saraswoti, goddess of learning, etc.
Maha Shiva Ratri (February – March): The night dedicated to Lord Shiva as the name suggests. The night of Shiva, devout Hindu pilgrims from all over Nepal and India converge at the Pashupatinath temple and stay vigil enjoying the orgy of marijuana and sweets laced with Bhaang (marijuana paste) throughout the night.
Holi (festival of colors) (February-March): Faagu Purnima or full-moon day by Nepalese calendar is a colorful time when children, young guys and girls and adults alike come together in perfect harmony to play colors in every nook and corner of the cities and villages across Nepal. It’s the time for bonding, leaving behind everything.
Ghode Jatra (Festival of Horses) (March – April): Mainly known as equestrian festival and events carried out by military personnel at the Tudikhel in the center of Kathmandu City.
Chaitra Dashain (‘small’ Dashain) (March-April): Second Dashain which falls exactly six months before the main one. Animal sacrifices are prevalent on these occasions. Goats, buffaloes and chicken are killed to suffice the quench of Goddess Durga, an age-old tradition.
Seto (White) Machhindranath (March-April): A chariot festival and quite spectacular as it is dragged along the streets of Kathmandu for four consecutive days.
New Year (Nava Varsha) (April): Usually falls on the second week of April. Several festivals also coincide with this day. The government grants a national holiday for the New Year.
Buddha Jayanti (May-June): Observed by both Buddhists and Hindus alike and mainly events take place at the premises of Swayambhu Nath Stupa west in the outer sprawl of the Kathmandu City. Also events are carried out at other Buddhist shrines as it is celebrated as the birth day of Lord Buddha.
Rato (red) Machhindranath Jatra (May – June): Another chariot event, but in Patan, the ancient city next to Kathmandu, also wheeled out to the streets in several stages which eventually rests to its final day called Bhoto Dekhaune or Showing of a Vest.
Krishna Astami (July – August): Celebration of the birth of Lord Krishna. Main events take place at the Krishna Mandir of Patan and at the Changu Narayan in Bhaktapur.
Naga Panchami (July-August): Serpent or Nagas believed to be the gods of rain are worshipped on this occasion.
Janai Purnima (July-August): The day all Brahmins and Chhettris wear sacred thread called Janai across their spines.
Gai Jatra (Cow Festival) (August-September): A carnival-like fest, especially observed by Newar communities in commemoration of their dead kin during the previous year. They take out rallies with musical instrument, all clad in funny traditional attires, faces painted and masked and possibly drunk, practicing libation.
Teej (Festival of Women) (August to September): Strictly celebrated by Nepalese women for the longevity and healthy life of their spouses. Young unmarried girls also observe it for prospective ideal grooms. Women fast on a particular day and go to temples.
Indra Jatra (August – September): Dedicated to Indra, also considered to be the God of rain, is observed in the Kathmandu Valley. The Chariot of the Living Goddess Kumari is paraded through the main streets of Kathmandu.
Dashain (September-October): Also known as Durga Puja, meaning veneration to the goddess Durga for her victory over demons and that being portrayed as the victory of good over evil. Dashain is celebrated the longest, as long as 10 days as ceremonial rituals are performed throughout the period. Hindus and Buddhists alike rejoice over the occasion with great elegance and aplomb. During Dashain, goats, buffaloes and chicken are sacrificed, swings are set up in areas convenient to all in the neighborhood, cards and other means of gambling like dices are played without any restriction whatsoever at least for as long as the festival lasts.
Tihar (October-November): Soon after the greatest festival Dashain follows Tihar, the second greatest of festivals. This festival also dubbed as festival of lights, is dedicated to the goddess Laxmi. Mainly goddess Laxmi, goddess of wealth