Public holidays in Nepal

Public offices and most private businesses in Nepal operate six days a week and only close on Saturdays. International organizations have their own rules, and normally close on Saturdays and Sundays. However, Nepal celebrates a number of religious and non-religious holidays. On most of these holidays, most government offices and private institutions are closed, although is not mandatory for privately owned businesses to close and international organizations may operate their own calendar.

Some of these events are region, religion or gender specific. For example a certain holiday in Nepal can only be for women.

The longest consecutive public holiday in Nepal is during Vijaya Dashami. On this festival, holidays fall consecutively i.e. from Fulpati to Duwadashi for six days. Ghatasthapana and Kojagrat Purnima holidays are part of this festival but are separate from the six day holiday. These festival holidays do not fall on the same calendar date every year, as they are celebrated on the basis of Lunar dates also known as tithi. Holidays such as Loktantra Diwas (Democracy Day) and Republic day are celebrated on the basis of Bikram Sambat calendar dates.

Public holidays

The following is the list of holidays for the calendar year 2015 in Nepal.[1]

Date Holiday Name Holiday Type Brief Information
January 15 Maghe Sankranti Religious The first day of the month of Magh.
January 30 Shahid Diwas Non-Religious Martyr's day in Nepal remembering the first four Martyrs of Nepal.
January 31 Sonam Losar Religious New Year celebration by the Tamang community.
February 4 Saraswati Puja Religious Schools celebrate this day by worshiping Goddess Saraswati, Hindu Goddess of knowledge, music, arts and nature.
February 19 Prajatantra Diwas Non-Religious Democracy day of Nepal.
February 27 Maha Shivaratri Religious Celebrated in reverence of Lord Shiva.
March 8 International Women's Day Non-Religious International Women's day is celebrated on this day in Nepal.
March 16 Fagu Purnima Religious Also known as holi, the festival of colors. In Terai region of Nepal, this festival is celebrated on the next day.
March 30 Ghode Jatra Religious Observed primarily in Kathmandu valley with horse parades in Tundikhel.
April 8 Ram Nawami Religious Birthday of Lord Rama.
April 14 Navabarsha Non-Religious Nepalese New Year or the first day of Bikram Sambat calendar.
April 24 Loktantra Diwas Non-Religious Democracy day of Nepal.
May 1 Majdur Diwas Non-religious International labor day.
May 4 Buddha Jayanti Religious Birth date of Lord Gautam Buddha, born in Nepal.
May 29 Ganatantra Diwas Non-Religious Republic day in Nepal.
August 29 Janai Purnima and Raksha Bandhan Religious Sacred thread festival, Janai Purnima marks the renewal of the sacred thread by Brahmins. Raksha Bandhan celebrates the holi bond between brothers and sisters.
August 30 Gaijatra Religious Celebrated only in Kathmandu, this festival worships cows. Also a day when commemoration of the dead takes place.
September 2 Gaura Parwa Religious Celebrated mostly in far western Nepal, this festival is observed in other parts as well.
September 5 Krishna Janmashtami Religious Celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna
September 16 Teej Religious Celebrated by mostly women for the wellness of their husband.
September 18 Rishi Panchami Religious Celebrated only by women by fasting to show gratitude to the ancient preachers.
September 27 Indra Jatra Religious Celebrated only in Kathmandu, commemorates the founding of Kathmandu.
October 13 Ghatasthapana Religious The beginning of Dashain.
October 20 Fulpati Religious Seventh day of Dashain when jamara is brought from Gorkha palace to Kathmandu.
October 21 Maha Asthami Religious The day to appease Goddess Durga’s manifestations, the blood-thirsty Kali.
October 22 Maha Navami and Bijaya Dashami Religious This year Maha Navami and Bijaya Dashami falls on the same day. Maha Navami is the last day of Navaratri. On Bijaya Dashami mixture of rice, yogurt and vermilion is prepared and is known as Tika. Elders put Tika, Jamara and Kokha on the young ones and give them blessing.
October 24 Ekadashi Religious Eleventh day of Dashain where the celebration continues.
October 25 Duwadashi Religious The final official consecutive holiday of Dashain celebration.
October 27 Kojagrat Purnima Religious Final full moon day after which Dashain officially ends.
November 11 Laxmi Puja Religious In the morning cows are worshipped. Later, usually during the evenings, Laxmi, Goddess of wealth is worshipped.
November 12 Mha Puja and Govardhan Puja Religious People worship themselves, oxen and cowdung.
November 13 Bhaitika Religious Sisters and brothers wish for each other's safety and well being. Gifts are exchanged between them.
November 17 Chhath Parwa Religious A festival dedicated to Hindu Sun God.
December 25 Christmas Religious Commemoration of birth of Jesus Christ.
December 30 Tamu Lhosar Religious New year celebrated by the Gurung Community.

See also

References

  1. ↑ http://www.imnepal.com/list-public-holidays-nepal-national/

[1]

  1. ↑ Nepali Calendar with Public Holidays Nepali Calendar with Public Holidays
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