In Nepal, many festivals are celebrated as much in the kitchen as in the temple. Knowing the dishes helps you join in when a family invites you to eat.
Quick answer: Dashain: goat curry and family feasts. Tihar: sel roti and sweets. Janai Purnima: kwati (mixed sprouted bean soup). Shrawan 15: khir (rice pudding). Maghe Sankranti: ghiu-chaku (ghee and molasses), sesame sweets and sweet potato. Yomari Punhi (Newar): yomari, rice-flour dumplings filled with molasses.
Autumn
- Dashain: feasts, goat meat, and families gathering for tika.
- Tihar: sel roti fried in big batches, plus fruit and sweets.
Winter
- Yomari Punhi (December): Newar families make yomari for the harvest.
- Maghe Sankranti (mid-January): ghiu-chaku, til (sesame) laddu, sweet potato and yam, said to warm the body.
Summer and monsoon
- Shrawan 15 ("Khir khane din"): rice pudding with milk.
- Janai Purnima: kwati, a protein-rich soup of nine sprouted beans.
Women's festival
At Teej, women feast the night before a day of fasting ("dar khane").
See festivals of Nepal and Nepali sweets.