Dashain and Tihar Festival 2025: Dates, Traditions & Celebration Guide
Dashain and Tihar are important Nepalese festivals that show the country’s strong traditions, culture, and religious beliefs. Through these festivals, families come together, build stronger links, and have the chance to value joy and prosperity. People planning anything for these festivals in 2025 will find useful information in this guide about their dates, customs, and importance.
This blog is for both Nepali people and curious travelers, it has all the information about Dashain and Tihar in 2025.
Table of Contents
Understanding the Significance of Dashain and Tihar
Dashain
Nepal’s biggest and most significant festival is known as Dashain, or Bijaya Dashami. The celebration runs for fifteen days and shows the triumph of good over evil. The festival is dedicated to Goddess Durga because she defeated the mythical demon Mahishasura, who stood for injustice. It is celebrated by members of the family joining together, receiving blessings from elders, and performing prayers.
Tihar
Tihar, also known as the festival of lights, happens soon after Dashain and is usually called Deepawali in Nepal. For five days, Diwali celebrates animals, nature, and Goddess Laxmi, the one who gives wealth and prosperity. Because of the pretty rangolis, bright lights, and singing traditions, Tihar is considered one of the most visually attractive festivals.
Community, close family ties, and respect for holy beings are important to both festivals.
Dashain Festival 2025 Dates and Rituals
Dashain 2025 begins on October 1st, 2025 (Ghatasthapana) and concludes on October 15th, 2025 (Kojagrat Purnima). Below is a breakdown of the key rituals:
Ghatasthapana (October 1st, 2025)
It begins with Ghatasthapana and is the start of Dashain. People set barley seeds in a sacred place and send their prayers to Goddess Durga on this day. After sprouting, the barley is called Jamara and used during tika rituals.
Fulpati (October 7th, 2025)
On the seventh day, which is Fulpati, people collect flowers and leaves to offer to Durga’s shrine. The main event takes place in Gorkha, where a big procession takes place.
Maha Ashtami (October 8th, 2025)
On this eighth day, believers worship Durga as her frightening form as Goddess Kali. In various communities, people perform animal sacrifices to please the goddess.
Maha Navami (October 9th, 2025)
People on Maha Navami focus on worshiping cars and machines. It is believed in Hinduism that blessings on Diwali keep both tools and how we move from harm.
Bijaya Dashami (October 10th, 2025)
Bijaya Dashami is the highlight of all the Dashain celebrations. Rice, yogurt, and vermilion are used by families to apply tika on the foreheads of their young ones for the sake of better health, prosperity, and success. During this day, it is usual to give Jamara and dakshina (money).
Kojagrat Purnima (October 15th, 2025)
The festival of Dashain ends on Kojagrat Purnima, which is on the full moon day. Worshipers devoted to Lakshmi choose to remain awake to get blessings and good fortune.
Tihar Festival 2025 Dates and Rituals
Tihar 2025 starts from October 25th, 2025 and wraps up on October 29th, 2025. Each day of Tihar is uniquely dedicated to nature and deities:
Kaag Tihar (October 25th, 2025)
Crows are celebrated on the first day as symbols representing messages sent by gods. People put offerings of rice and sweet treats on rooftops in their homes.
Kukur Tihar (October 26th, 2025)
Day two is about dogs, animals that represent loyalty. As a sign of their gratitude, dogs are given garlands, tika, and scrumptious treats for being by their side all the time.
Gai Tihar and Laxmi Puja (October 27th, 2025)
The third of these days honors cows and celebrates Goddess Laxmi at her Puja. People make their homes tidy, makes rangoli and add oil lamps to celebrate the arrival of prosperity.
Govardhan Puja and Mha Puja (October 28th, 2025)
Fourth day celebrations differ from one place to another. For some, Mha Puja is when people focus on caring for themselves and their bodies, whereas others worship oxen (going by Govardhan Puja).
Bhai Tika (October 29th, 2025)
Day fifteen in the celebration is organized for siblings. To wish their brothers a long life, sisters place tika on them while brothers give them some gifts as a token of thanks. There is a connection between Bhai Tika and showing care, security, and love among family members.
Why Dashain and Tihar Are Worth Experiencing
Sense of Family and Togetherness
Attending these festivals usually means family members from different places come to be together. Relationships made during Dashain tika rituals and Tihar Bhai Tika last even after the festive period.
Cultural Immersion
People who participate in Dashain and Tihar get to appreciate Nepal’s cultural traditions. Flying kites and swinging on ping swings in Dashain and lighting oil lamps and singing deusi-bhailo in Tihar is something you’ll never forget.
Spiritual Upliftment and Prosperity
Practicing these rituals inspires us to stay mindful, thankful, and aim for better times in the future.
Vibrant Celebrations
Dashain involves eating together outside, busy markets, and colorful kites moving in the air in autumn. The festival brings magic with beautiful lamps, colorful art forms, and melodious sounds in chilly evenings.
Plan Ahead
If you plan a trip or celebration in Nepal for Dashain and Tihar in 2025, these tips can be useful.
- Travel Early: Ticket purchases and hotel room bookings should happen well before the event, because places will be in great demand then.
- Respect Traditions: Request help from the locals to show respect during rituals that are new to you.
- Explore Beyond Kathmandu: Visit areas apart from Kathmandu, if you want to get a real sense of Nepali culture during Dashain.
- Trekking: During Dashain the weather remians perfect for trekking. So here are the top trekking palces you can do trek: Everest base camp trek, Annapurna base camp trek, Upper Mustang trek, Annapurna Circuit trek, Langtang Valley trek.
People interested in experiencing Nepal’s cultural festivals have the perfect chance with Dashain and Tihar.
Celebrate Dashain and Tihar 2025 with Joy
These festivals represent not only happiness but also the significance of love, and harmony. No matter if you join family events, keep your old customs alive, or experience Nepal’s traditions, these festivals never fail to make a lasting impression.
Save the dates of Dashain starting October 1st and ending October 15th, and Tihar starting October 25th and finishing October 29th, for 2025. Take part in the important celebrations and feel the joy and atmosphere of these occasions.
Want more updates on Nepali festivals and travel tips? Subscribe to our newsletter today!
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Dashain tika 2025 in Nepal?
Dashain 2025 starts on September 24 and ends on October 8.
What is the main day of Dashain 2025 (Dashain Tika 2025 Nepali Calendar)?
The main day of Dashain, Vijaya Dashami (Tika Day), is on October 3, 2025.
When is Tihar 2025 in Nepal?
Tihar 2025 will be celebrated from October 18 to October 22.
What is the date of Laxmi Puja in 2025?
Laxmi Puja is on October 20, 2025.
When is Bhai Tika 2025 Nepali Calender?
Bhai Tika falls on October 22, 2025.
Posted on
