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. Government holidays for the upcoming year are published in Nepal Gazette. 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 2016 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.
February 9 Sonam Losar Religious New Year celebration by the Tamang community.
February 13 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.
March 7 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 22 Fagu Purnima Religious Also known as holi, the festival of colors. In Terai region of Nepal, this festival is celebrated on the next day.
April 7 Ghode Jatra Religious Observed primarily in Kathmandu valley with horse parades in Tundikhel.
April 13 Nava Barsa Non-Religious Nepalese New Year or the first day of Bikram Sambat calendar.
April 15 Ram Nawami Religious Birthday of Lord Rama.
May 1 Majdur Diwas Non-religious International labor day.
May 21 Buddha Jayanti Religious Birth date of Lord Gautam Buddha.
May 28 Ganatantra Diwas Non-Religious Republic day in Nepal.
August 18 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 19 Gaijatra Religious Celebrated only in Kathmandu, this festival worships cows. Also a day when commemoration of the dead takes place.
August 25 Gaura Parwa Religious Celebrated mostly in far western Nepal, this festival is observed in other parts as well.
August 25 Krishna Janmashtami Religious Celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna
September 4 Teej Religious Celebrated by mostly women for the wellness of their husband.
September 6 Rishi Panchami Religious Celebrated only by women by fasting to show gratitude to the ancient preachers.
September 15 Indra Jatra Religious Celebrated only in Kathmandu, commemorates the founding of Kathmandu.
September 20 Constitution Day Non-Religious Constitution Day in Nepal.
October 1 Ghatasthapana Religious The beginning of Dashain.
October 8 Fulpati Religious Seventh day of Dashain when jamara is brought from Gorkha palace to Kathmandu.
October 9 Maha Asthami Religious The day to appease Goddess Durga’s manifestations, the blood-thirsty Kali.
October 10 Maha Navami Religious Maha Navami is the last day of Navaratri.
October 11 Bijaya Dashami Religious This day is very important day for Nepalese Hindu religion, 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 12 Ekadashi Religious Eleventh day of Dashain where the celebration continues.
October 13 Duwadashi Religious The final official consecutive holiday of Dashain celebration.
October 15 Kojagrat Purnima Religious Final full moon day after which Dashain officially ends.
October 30 Laxmi Puja Religious In the morning cows are worshipped. Later, usually during the evenings, Laxmi, Goddess of wealth is worshipped.
November 31 Mha Puja and Govardhan Puja Religious People worship themselves, oxen and cowdung.
November 1 Bhaitika Religious Sisters and brothers wish for each other's safety and well being. Gifts are exchanged between them.
November 6 Chhath Parwa Religious A festival dedicated to Hindu Sun God.
December 13 Yomari Punhi Religious A festival marking end of rice harvest.
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] [2]

  1. ↑ Public holidays in Nepal
  2. ↑ Nepali Calendar with Public Holidays Nepali Calendar with Public Holidays
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