# Dashain: A Traveller's Guide to Nepal's Biggest Festival _Published 19 September 2025_ **Dashain** is the biggest and longest festival in Nepal. For about two weeks each autumn, the whole country slows down as people travel home to their families, kites fill the sky, bamboo swings go up in every village, and elders bless the younger generation with red tika and sprigs of sacred barley shoots. If your trip falls during Dashain, you will see Nepal at its most joyful, though you will need to plan around closed offices and busy roads. **Quick answer:** Dashain lasts about **15 days** and usually falls in **late September or October**, following the lunar calendar. It celebrates the victory of the goddess **Durga** over the demon Mahishasura. The most important day is **Vijaya Dashami**, when elders give **tika** and **jamara**. Expect **closed offices and banks**, **packed buses** before and after, and a festive mood. Trekking continues normally, but book transport early. ## What Dashain celebrates Dashain honours the goddess **Durga** in her many forms and her victory over the buffalo demon **Mahishasura**, a triumph of good over evil. It also coincides with the end of the monsoon and the rice harvest, so it is a time of plenty and family reunion. For many Nepalis working abroad or in the cities, Dashain is the one time of year they go home. ## The main days DayNameWhat happensDay 1GhatasthapanaA sacred vessel (kalash) is set up and barley seeds are sown in sand to grow jamaraDay 7FulpatiSacred flowers and leaves are brought from Gorkha to Kathmandu; a parade and gun salute at TundikhelDay 8Maha AshtamiNight of worship of the fierce goddesses; animal sacrifices at many templesDay 9Maha NavamiWorship of tools and vehicles; Taleju temple in Kathmandu opens to the publicDay 10Vijaya DashamiElders give tika and jamara to family membersDays 11–15Until Kojagrat PurnimaFamilies continue visiting relatives for tika## Tika and jamara On Vijaya Dashami, families gather, dressed in their best clothes, and elders place a **tika**, a paste of red powder, rice and yoghurt, on the foreheads of younger relatives, along with **jamara**, the yellow barley shoots grown since the first day, tucked behind the ear. Each tika comes with a blessing and often a little money. Visitors are sometimes invited to receive tika too; if you are, accept it as a great honour. ## Kites, swings and feasting - **Kites**: the skies over Kathmandu fill with kites, and kite fights are fierce. - **Swings (ping)**: huge bamboo swings appear in villages, built by the community. - **Food**: meat dishes, especially goat, are central to the feast; markets are busy with animals in the days before. - **Playing cards** with family is a Dashain tradition. ## Animal sacrifice Animal sacrifice, especially of goats, buffalo and chickens, is part of Dashain worship for many Hindu families and temples, especially on Maha Ashtami and Navami. It can be confronting for visitors. If you prefer not to see it, avoid temples such as Dakshinkali on those days. ## Travelling during Dashain - **Offices, banks and many shops close** for several days around Vijaya Dashami. Withdraw cash in advance. - **Transport is packed** in the days before (people leaving Kathmandu) and after (people returning). Book buses and flights well ahead. - **Kathmandu is quiet** on the main days, with less traffic than usual. - **Treks run normally**. Dashain falls in the autumn trekking season, and many guides and porters work through it. We plan time off with our staff around your trek. - **Prices**: some transport fares rise during the peak travel days. ## Dashain and Tihar About two weeks after Dashain comes **Tihar**, the festival of lights, in late October or November. Together they make autumn the most festive season of the year. See our [festivals guide](/blog/festivals-of-nepal) and [Nepal in October](/blog/nepal-in-october). ## Experiencing Dashain respectfully - If invited to a home for tika, bring a small gift such as fruit or sweets. - Bow slightly to receive tika and say "dhanyabad" (thank you). - Ask before photographing family ceremonies. - Expect to be offered a lot of food; it is polite to try a little of everything. ## Planning a trip around Dashain Dashain is a wonderful time to be in Nepal, as long as you plan transport and money in advance. A trek or tour that starts a few days after Vijaya Dashami avoids the worst of the travel rush. [Contact us](/contact-us) and we'll plan around the festival dates. ## Frequently asked questions ### When is Dashain? Usually in **late September or October**, following the lunar calendar. ### How long does Dashain last? About **15 days**, with the most important day being **Vijaya Dashami**. ### What does Dashain celebrate? The goddess **Durga**'s victory over the demon Mahishasura, the victory of good over evil. ### What is tika? A paste of red powder, rice and yoghurt placed on the forehead by elders as a blessing. ### What is jamara? Yellow barley shoots grown during the festival and given with tika. ### Are offices closed during Dashain? Yes, for several days around Vijaya Dashami. ### Can I trek during Dashain? Yes, treks run normally; book transport early. ### Is transport busy? Very, in the days before and after the main festival days. ### Is there animal sacrifice? Yes, at many temples and homes, especially on Maha Ashtami and Navami. ### When is Tihar? About two weeks after Dashain, in **late October or November**. Web page: https://himalayanhiking.com/blog/dashain-festival-guide