Festivals
The Tarai's festival calendar — Chhath, Maghi, Vivah Panchami, Buddha Jayanti and more — sorted by what comes next.
Festival dates follow the lunar calendar. Dates shown are approximate — confirm with a Nepali calendar (patro) before you travel.
Dashain: Jhijhiya & Sakhiya dances
Nepal's biggest festival takes its own forms on the plains: Maithil women dance the Jhijhiya with lamp-lit clay pots on their heads, while Tharu girls in the west perform the Sakhiya through the nights of Dashain.
In 12 days12 November 2026 – 15 November 2026Chhath
The great festival of the Madhesh: devotees, mostly women, fast without water and stand in rivers and ponds to offer prayers to the setting and rising sun, surrounded by lamps, fruit baskets and songs.
In 44 days15 November 2026 – 24 November 2026Sama-Chakeva
From the end of Chhath to the full moon of Kartik, Maithil girls model little clay birds and figures, sing to them each evening and finally 'send them away' — a festival of the bond between brothers and sisters and of migrating birds.
In 47 days24 November 2026Kartik Purnima at Barahakshetra
On the full moon of Kartik, pilgrims from eastern Nepal, Bihar and West Bengal bathe at the Koshi–Koka confluence and worship Vishnu as Varaha — the biggest day of the year at Barahakshetra.
In 56 days14 December 2026Vivah Panchami, Janakpur
Janakpur re-enacts the marriage of Rama and Sita on the fifth day of the bright fortnight of Mangsir, with a wedding procession, rituals at the Vivah Mandap and days of music and fairs — the city's biggest celebration.
In 76 days15 January 2027Maghi
The first of Magh is New Year for the Tharu, the biggest festival of the western Tarai — feasting, dancing, family gatherings and the traditional choosing of village leaders. Across Nepal it is Maghe Sankranti, with holy bathing at Devghat and other confluences.
In 108 days8 March 2027 – 22 March 2027Madhya Parikrama
Each Falgun, thousands of pilgrims walk a circuit of about 15 days around Janakpur, stopping at sacred ponds, temples and villages in Nepal and India, and return to the city in time for Holi.
In 160 days23 March 2027Holi in the Tarai
The festival of colours arrives on the plains one day after the hills and Kathmandu: coloured powder and water, Fagua songs, bonfires the night before and sweets — at its most joyful in Janakpur, Birgunj and Rajbiraj.
In 175 days14 April 2027 – 15 April 2027Jur Sital & Salhesh Phulbari fair
Baisakh 1 is New Year for Nepal and for Mithila. Maithils celebrate Jur Sital by blessing each other with cool water and eating yesterday's food, while crowds gather at Salhesh Phulbari in Lahan to see a legendary orchid bloom.
In 197 days15 April 2027Ram Navami, Janakpur
The birthday of Rama, on the ninth day of the bright half of Chaitra, is celebrated with a huge fair, processions and fasting in Janakpur, centred on the Ram Mandir and the Janaki Mandir.
In 198 days20 May 2027Buddha Jayanti in Lumbini
On the full moon of Baisakh, Buddhists celebrate the Buddha's birth, enlightenment and passing. In Lumbini, monks and pilgrims from across Asia gather at the Maya Devi Temple for prayers, processions and butter lamps.
In 233 daysRead about each festival
Dashain: Jhijhiya & Sakhiya dances
Nepal's biggest festival takes its own forms on the plains: Maithil women dance the Jhijhiya with lamp-lit clay pots on their heads, while Tharu girls in the west perform the Sakhiya through the nights of Dashain.
1 min →
Chhath
The great festival of the Madhesh: devotees, mostly women, fast without water and stand in rivers and ponds to offer prayers to the setting and rising sun, surrounded by lamps, fruit baskets and songs.
1 min →
Sama-Chakeva
From the end of Chhath to the full moon of Kartik, Maithil girls model little clay birds and figures, sing to them each evening and finally 'send them away' — a festival of the bond between brothers and sisters and of migrating birds.
1 min →.jpg?width=640)
Kartik Purnima at Barahakshetra
On the full moon of Kartik, pilgrims from eastern Nepal, Bihar and West Bengal bathe at the Koshi–Koka confluence and worship Vishnu as Varaha — the biggest day of the year at Barahakshetra.
1 min →
Vivah Panchami, Janakpur
Janakpur re-enacts the marriage of Rama and Sita on the fifth day of the bright fortnight of Mangsir, with a wedding procession, rituals at the Vivah Mandap and days of music and fairs — the city's biggest celebration.
1 min →
Maghi
The first of Magh is New Year for the Tharu, the biggest festival of the western Tarai — feasting, dancing, family gatherings and the traditional choosing of village leaders. Across Nepal it is Maghe Sankranti, with holy bathing at Devghat and other confluences.
1 min →.jpg?width=640)
Madhya Parikrama
Each Falgun, thousands of pilgrims walk a circuit of about 15 days around Janakpur, stopping at sacred ponds, temples and villages in Nepal and India, and return to the city in time for Holi.
1 min →
Holi in the Tarai
The festival of colours arrives on the plains one day after the hills and Kathmandu: coloured powder and water, Fagua songs, bonfires the night before and sweets — at its most joyful in Janakpur, Birgunj and Rajbiraj.
1 min →
Jur Sital & Salhesh Phulbari fair
Baisakh 1 is New Year for Nepal and for Mithila. Maithils celebrate Jur Sital by blessing each other with cool water and eating yesterday's food, while crowds gather at Salhesh Phulbari in Lahan to see a legendary orchid bloom.
1 min →.jpg?width=640)
Ram Navami, Janakpur
The birthday of Rama, on the ninth day of the bright half of Chaitra, is celebrated with a huge fair, processions and fasting in Janakpur, centred on the Ram Mandir and the Janaki Mandir.
1 min →
Buddha Jayanti in Lumbini
On the full moon of Baisakh, Buddhists celebrate the Buddha's birth, enlightenment and passing. In Lumbini, monks and pilgrims from across Asia gather at the Maya Devi Temple for prayers, processions and butter lamps.
1 min →