Tihar 2026: Dates & Celebration of Nepal’s Festival of Lights

Tihar, commonly referred to as the “Festival of Lights,” is the second most celebrated major festivals in Nepal after Dashain. It is widely celebrated in Nepal and India, celebrated differently across Nepal and India with distinct traditions. This festival is also widely known as Deepawali or Diwali. It is mostly celebrated by Hindus, and like any other festival, it has its own story to tell. It lasts five days, and one is as important as the other.

When is Tihar Festival 2026 date according to the Nepali Calendar and English date?

• Tihar Festival Date 2026: Saturday, 7 November 2026 – Wednesday, 11 November 2026
• Tihar Festival 2083 date according to Nepali Calendar: Saturday, Kartik 21, 2083 BS - Wednesday, Kartik 25, 2083 BS

Tihar Dates vary every year. The Tihar 2026 Nepal date falls from Saturday, 7 November 2026 (Kaag Tihar) to Wednesday, 11 November 2026 (Bhai Tika). As per the Tihar festival Nepal Kartik 2083 calendar, it will fall between Kartik 21, 2083 BS (Kaag Tihar, Saturday) and Kartik 25, 2083 BS (Bhai Tika, Wednesday) of the Nepali year 2083. The festival begins with Kaag Tihar on the first day and concludes with Bhai Tika 2026 on the last day. Tihar is celebrated shortly after Dashain, with only a few days separating these two grand festivals.

For Tihar 2026, the exact auspicious time (sait) is not yet officially announced by Nepal Panchang authorities. This timing is usually released closer to the festival. While state dignitaries should perform the ritual at this specific time, the general public can observe the ceremony in the afternoon without strict adherence to the auspicious hour. The main Tihar festival will run from Saturday, 7 November 2026 to Wednesday, 11 November 2026.

Tihar festival 2026 in Nepal falls according to the Nepali Calendar 2083.

Note: In Tihar 2026, Lakshmi Puja falls on the second day along with Kukur Tihar, while Gai Tihar is observed separately on the following day.

In the festival of Tihar, animals such as Cows, Crows, and Dogs are given importance and worshipped. Each has its own significance for worship. Yet another deity, of course, is worshipped during this festival: Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and luck. This festival is termed the ‘Festival of Lights,’ meaning each house is lit with electrical lights or, if not, Diyo, a clay lamp that uses oil.

Tihar 2026 Dates in Nepal (Kartik 2083 with Day-wise Details)

Kaag Tihar date 2026: On Saturday, 7 November 2026—corresponding to Kartik 21, 2083 BS and Kartik Krishna Trayodashi in the Nepali calendar—Nepal observes Kaag Tihar and Dhanwantari Jayanti. Kaag Tihar, the first day of the five-day Tihar festival, honors crows as messengers of Yama, the god of death, by offering food on rooftops or outside homes.

Kukur Tihar and Lakshmi Puja date 2026: On Sunday, 8 November 2026—corresponding to Kartik 22, 2083 BS—Nepal observes both Kukur Tihar and Lakshmi Puja on the same day. Dogs are worshipped during the day for their loyalty and spiritual connection with Yama, the god of death. In the evening, households perform Lakshmi Puja, lighting oil lamps to welcome the goddess of wealth and prosperity. Additionally, the day commemorates the birth anniversary of Mahakavi Laxmi Prasad Devkota, Nepal’s greatest literary figure.

Gai Tihar date 2026: On Monday, 9 November 2026, corresponding to Kartik 23, 2083 BS, Nepal observes Gai Tihar, where cows are worshipped as symbols of prosperity, nourishment, and guidance in the spiritual journey. Families decorate cows with garlands of marigolds, apply tika on their foreheads, and offer them grass and delicacies to show gratitude and seek blessings.

Govardhan Puja / Mha Puja / Goru Tihar date of Tihar 2026: Tuesday, 10 November 2026, which falls on Kartik 24, 2083 BS and marks Kartik Shukla Pratipada, is celebrated across Nepal with multiple important festivals. The day features Govardhan Puja, honouring Lord Krishna’s lifting of Mount Govardhan to protect villagers from the storm sent by Indra. It is also observed as Goru Puja, where oxen are worshipped for their sacred and agricultural roles. In the Newar community, this day is especially significant as they perform Mha Puja, a self-purification ritual marking the beginning of a new spiritual year.

Bhai Tika 2026 date and Time according to the Nepali calendar: Wednesday, 11 November 2026, which corresponds to Kartik 25, 2083 BS and Kartik Shukla Dwitiya, is celebrated as Bhai Tika across Nepal. It is the final and most emotionally significant day of the Tihar festival, where sisters offer tika, garlands, and blessings to their brothers for a long life and protection. In return, brothers give gifts, money, and promises of lifelong support. Among the Newar community, the ritual is known as Kija Puja, with unique customs and spiritual symbolism. Bhai Tika is a celebration of sibling love, protection, and family unity, deeply rooted in Nepali tradition and widely observed across the country.

Bhai Tika Tihar 2025 Date and Auspicious Time to Apply Tika

Bhai Tika, the final and most cherished day of Tihar 2025, was celebrated as the sacred bond between brothers and sisters. Observed on 6th Kartik 2082 (23 October 2025) in Nepal, this auspicious day symbolizes protection, blessings, and family unity. Sisters apply the tika of seven colors, offer garlands, and pray for their brothers’ long life, while brothers express gratitude through heartfelt gifts. For Nepalis living abroad, knowing the exact Bhai Tika time helps preserve this emotional tradition across time zones. Below is the Bhai Tika 2025 auspicious local time and date for major cities worldwide.

Tihar 2025 (Previous Year): Bhai Tika Date and Time Around the World

Why is the Tihar Festival celebrated?

Tihar is celebrated to honor the Hindu deities Lakshmi (goddess of wealth) and Yama (god of death), and to show gratitude to animals like crows, dogs, and cows for their vital roles in human life and the agricultural cycle. The five-day festival, also known as the Festival of Lights, symbolizes the victory of light over darkness and fosters spiritual reflection, family bonds, and prosperity within homes and the community.

As with other Nepali festivals, Tihar also holds vast cultural and religious meanings embedded in the principles of Hinduism. It has evolved from various myths and legends that include the supremacy of the good spirit over the evil spirit, the family values, and the culture of honoring animals and trees. Here are some of the history and background of Tihar Festival:

Goddess Lakshmi: Goddess of wealth and good fortune

One of the most significant components of this festival is the worship of the goddess of wealth, Lakshmi. During Tihar, and more significantly during Lakshmi Puja on the second day, she enters the houses to bring fortunes. Oil lamps and candles help her light up the homes, symbolizing the victory of light over the dark.

Yama and his Messengers

Tihar also encompasses rituals of worshipping Lord Yamaraj, also known as the god of death. Crows and Dogs are thus believed to be the messengers of Yama. They are worshipped during the Kaag Tihar and Kukur Tihar festivals to please the god of death, Yama, and avoid dying before time.

Krishna and the Govardhan Hill

On the fourth day, Govardhan Puja has its origin based on the mythology about Lord Krishna, who lifted a hill on one finger. He did so for his fellow villagers to protect them from the storm sent by Indra, the rain god. This day also tells the superiority of Lord Krishna, especially over Indra, and the importance of Govardhan Hill.

Newari culture of Mha Puja

That is why the Tihar festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm in Nepal, particularly by the Newari community. It is the same as the Newari New Year called Nepal Sambat. The fourth day of Tihar is celebrated as Mha Puja, a self-worship ritual practiced by the Newar community, which is a form of prayer symbolizing self-worship and giving power to the soul. This signifies the cultural and religious endowment of the Newar people in celebrating Tihar.

How is Tihar 2026 Celebrated in Nepal?

Tihar is a festival that is celebrated for five days. Households across Nepal traditionally celebrate it by cleaning their house, buying new ornaments and utensils, and decorating their beautiful house, too. Every house is full, lively, and decked up for Tihar with new clothes, gifts, sweets, and flowers. At night, the houses are illuminated by traditional diyo and small colored clay lamps. These lamps are lit as a beacon to invite Goddess Lakshmi into the house and seek her blessings. Groups of young girls and boys come singing Deusi and Bhailo which are, in fact, traditional expressions of goodwill where they only wish well for the house and the family.

Kaag Tihar:

The first day of Tihar is Kaag Tihar (Saturday, 7 November 2026 / Kartik 21, 2083 BS). Kaag refers to crow and is considered to be a bearer of bad news in the Nepali context. On this day, black crows are fed and worshipped by offering them grains like rice, water, sweets, sel roti, puri tarkari, and grains on rooftops (terraces, or courtyards) before sunrise to ward off sorrow and misfortune. This is done to ensure they are happy and have no devastating news to share in the future. Some believe buying new household items, gold, or silver on this day is auspicious for bringing good luck and prosperity.

Kukur Tihar 2026:

The second day of the festival is known as Kukur Tihar (Sunday, 8 November 2026 / Kartik 22, 2083 BS), or ‘the day of the dogs.’ Kukur is the term for dogs, and they are mentioned to be the ‘guardian and the guide of the souls’. They are fed good food (dog food, meat, eggs and others), and their owners place garlands of red and yellowish marigolds around their necks and apply red tika on their foreheads. People often gather in streets and parks to celebrate together, reinforcing the bond between humans and dogs and creating a joyful atmosphere.

Lakshmi Puja 2026:

Also on Sunday, 8 November 2026 (Kartik 22, 2083 BS), after the Kukur Tihar rituals during the day, households perform Lakshmi Puja in the evening. Chores are done, diyos are lit, lights are hung on the house, and everybody congregates for night prayers. Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped, and in front of the picture of the Lakshmi statue or frame, people put sweets, fruits, and Sel roti (sweet rice bread). The young boys and girls also go to play Deusi-Bhailo after the puja is performed.

Lakshmi Puja in Nepal is the central event of the Tihar festival, when people honor Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity. Celebrations include cleaning and illuminating homes with candles and lights, decorating with marigolds and making rangoli at entrances, and performing a ritual puja with offerings. The day is also known for the Deusi-Bhailo tradition, where people sing and dance while going door-to-door for blessings and to receive gifts. Homes are cleaned by a mixture of cow dung and red mud (rato mato). A colorful rangoli or mandala is created in the front yard of the house by using a mixture of colors, rice, flour, or flower petals. A small footprint made of flour and red color powder is drawn from the entrance gate to each room and the main altar to symbolize the goddess’s arrival. Foods such as bhaja “tarkari”, sel roti, khichuri, sweets, aachar, are prepared and offered to the goddess.

Gai Tihar 2026:

On the third day (Monday, 9 November 2026 / Kartik 23, 2083 BS), Nepal observes Gai Tihar, honoring the sacred cow as a symbol of prosperity, nourishment, and divine guidance. Cows are offered grass and worshipped; people put garlands around them and apply tika on their heads. During Gai Tihar, families decorate cows with garlands of marigolds, apply tika on their foreheads, and offer them their favorite grass and delicacies to show gratitude and seek blessings. The tradition of Deusi-Bhailo continues on this day as well.

Govardhan Puja / Mha Puja:

The next animal worshipped in Tihar is the Ox (Tuesday, 10 November 2026 / Kartik 24, 2083 BS), celebrated on the fourth day of Tihar in Nepal. Oxen are considered to be of great importance among domestic animals, particularly to farmers. They are treated with much respect and have full bowls of fresh grass in front of them to eat.

Apart from this day, Mha Puja is also celebrated by the Newari community of Nepal. It is a Newari New Year for this community, which they celebrate happily. They dress up in new clothes, invite friends and relatives over and celebrate the New Year. The tradition of Deusi-Bhailo (singing and dancing groups) also continues on this day, with participants being rewarded with money and sweets.

Bhai Tika 2026 Nepal:

Bhai Tika is the last day of Tihar. This day celebrates brothers and sisters’ love for one another. On Kartik 25, 2083 BS (Wednesday, 11 November 2026), sisters dress up, cook, and pack the tika and garlands. At the same time, the brothers also dress in formal attire and purchase gifts for the sisters. There is an agreed time fixed by the priest at which the time of the ceremony starts. Firstly, the sister applies a tika, which has a white base and then seven different colors on the forehead. After this, they put new garlands around their necks; they make them eat Sel roti, milk, and sweets. Bhai Tika Tihar, in 2026, is being celebrated on Wednesday, 11 November 2026 (Kartik 25, 2083 BS).

These are the ways Nepalese celebrate Tihar. The festival is loved by everyone, and you can enjoy it in Nepal. One can enjoy the melodious voices of youths and the lovely cooking smell of sel roti. During this festival, sisters apply a seven-colored “saptarangi” tika on their brothers’ foreheads, offer them garlands, and present gifts and sweets to wish them long life, prosperity, and protection. In return, brothers offer gifts like money and clothes to their sisters and may also apply a tika to them.

In cases where individuals do not have a brother or sister, they go to the Ranipokhari Temple in Kathmandu to receive a tika there.

Why Tihar is Called Yama Panchak

Tihar, also known as Deepawali or the Festival of Lights and Flowers, is a five-day Hindu celebration uniquely observed in Nepal. It is also called Yama Panchak because each day is symbolically connected to Yama, the god of death, and his sister Yamuna. The term combines “Yama” (god of death) and “Panchak” (meaning “five”), signifying the five sacred days of rituals and worship.

The mythological roots of Tihar highlight a touching bond between siblings. One widely told legend speaks of Yamuna, deeply worried about her brother’s declining health. In her devotion, she performed rituals and prayers to Yama, asking for his mercy. Moved by her love and faith, Yama granted her wish, blessing her brother with long life. Another version narrates how Yamuna sent symbolic messages to Yama through animals—crows, dogs, and cows—before finally reuniting with him on the fifth day, which inspired the Bhai Tika tradition. On this final day, sisters apply tika to their brothers’ foreheads, offer garlands and sweets, and pray for their protection and longevity.

Each day of Yama Panchak honors a different sacred being—Kaag Tihar (crows), Kukur Tihar (dogs), Gai Tihar (cows), Govardhan/Mha Puja, and Bhai Tika—all tied to spiritual symbolism and the themes of death, protection, gratitude, and familial love. This deep connection to Yama and Yamuna makes Tihar a celebration not only of lights and prosperity but also of devotion, kinship, and the cycle of life.

Can you make travel plans during the festive time in Nepal?

The Festival of Tihar is in November, which is a peak trekking season, so you can freely hike or trek. You’ll appreciate Nepali culture more deeply while exploring the country’s stunning beauty. The best time to trek is between October and November. The monsoon will have been gone by then, and the skies will be clearer than ever, along with Nepal’s biggest festival, Tihar. In Tihar, there will be 3 to 5 days of public holiday in Nepal. During this time, businesses, schools, and government offices remain closed, allowing people to celebrate the festival with family and community.

Even the trails would be perfectly dry for hassle-free trekking and mesmerizing mountain views. Whether you want a short hike or choose any of our trekking packages, the time during Tihar would be flawless. So book your next trekking adventure, like Everest Base Camp Trek or Annapurna Base Camp Trek, and get mesmerized by the mountains.

You’ll also get to see the true cultural harmony between people. You can get the Best of Nepal during this time of year. You can see devotees lining up for worship. The weather and vibes are festive, with mantras being chanted all around. The festivities surrounding these temples are not explainable as devotees pay their respect and pray. So, don’t hesitate to join a festival time in your travel plans!

When was Tihar 2024? Tihar date 2024 and when was Bhai Tika 2024

According to the calendar, in 2024, the Tihar festival was celebrated from 30th October to 3rd November. In the Nepali calendar, it was from 14th Kartik to 18th Kartik, as per the ongoing Nepali calendar 2081. Kaag Tihar is the first day, while Bhai Tika is the last day of the occasion. Tihar is celebrated right after Dashain, with only a few days’ difference between the two biggest festivals.

Kukur Tihar 2024: When was Kukur Tihar 2024?

Kukur Tihar in 2024 was celebrated on October 31st. It is the second day of the five-day Tihar festival in Nepal, a time when dogs are honored and given special attention, including garlands and treats.

Kukur Tihar and Laxmi Puja date 2023: When was Kukur Tihar and Laxmi Puja celebrated in 2023?

In 2023, Kukur Tihar, the second day of the Tihar festival, was celebrated on November 11th. Tihar itself began on November 10th and ended on November 14th. This festival is a time to honor dogs for their loyalty and companionship.

In 2023, Lakshmi Puja in Nepal, also known as Gai Tihar and Laxmi Puja, was celebrated on November 12th. This is the third day of Tihar, a five-day Hindu festival celebrated after Dashain. On this day, cows are worshiped in the morning, and Goddess Lakshmi is offered elaborate prayers and puja in the evening.

Tihar 2026 Dates and Festival Days

The dates for Tihar 2026 are:

Day 1 (Kaag Tihar): Saturday, 7 November 2026

Day 2 (Kukur Tihar & Lakshmi Puja): Sunday, 8 November 2026

Day 3 (Gai Tihar): Monday, 9 November 2026

Day 4 (Govardhan Puja / Mha Puja / Goru Tihar): Tuesday, 10 November 2026

Day 5 (Bhai Tika): Wednesday, 11 November 2026

What are the 5 days of Tihar?

The five days of Tihar are Kaag Tihar (Crow Day), Kukur Tihar and Lakshmi Puja (Dog Day and Goddess of Wealth worship), Gai Tihar (Cow Day), Govardhan Puja (Oxen Worship), and Bhai Tika (Brother-Sister Day). The festival is Nepal’s second-largest celebration, known as the festival of lights, and honors animals, light, and human bonds.

Conclusion:

Visit Nepal in November 2026 and enjoy Tihar with us, the Nepal Hiking Team. We would love to have you with us on this joyful occasion. You will be able to experience Kathmandu’s roads and see the city through the eyes of Nepalese people based on the vibrant cultural influences.