Tihar 2026 in Nepal: Dates, Rituals and How to Experience the Festival of Lights

Tihar 2026 begins this week. Dhanteras opens the festival on Friday 6 November, the five main days run from Kaag Tihar on Saturday 7 November to Bhai Tika on Wednesday 11 November, and Laxmi Puja, the night the country glows, falls on Sunday 8 November. If you are in Kathmandu, be in the old city by 5:15 pm that evening.

This is an unusual year. Kukur Tihar, the day dogs are honoured, and Laxmi Puja, the night of lamps, land on the same Sunday. Gai Puja then takes its own day on Monday 9 November. That reshuffles the week, and it is why some international websites are publishing the wrong dates for Nepal.

This guide gives you the official 2026 calendar, the two auspicious times worth knowing, a night-by-night plan for where to be, what the five days actually look like on the street, how to behave as a guest, what closes for the holiday, and what a private or luxury Tihar trip costs. It ends with provisional 2027 dates so you can plan the next one.

Tihar 2026 Dates: The Five Days at a Glance

Tihar 2026 runs from Kaag Tihar on Saturday 7 November to Bhai Tika on Wednesday 11 November, with Dhanteras opening the festival on Friday 6 November. The government holiday block is Sunday 8 to Thursday 12 November 2026 (Kartik 22–26, 2083 BS).

Dhanteras is the prelude to the five main days. It is when the festival formally begins, when homes are cleaned, and when many Nepali families buy gold, silver or kitchen utensils. If you arrive on Friday 6 November, you will already see lamps appearing in doorways. The schedule follows the Calendar Determination Committee’s 2083 BS announcement, reported by Radio Nepal.

The Two Times That Matter: Laxmi Puja and Bhai Tika

Laxmi Puja 2026 falls on the evening of Sunday 8 November. In Kathmandu, the puja period begins around sunset, at about 5:15 pm, and the main window runs to roughly 7:39 pm. The exact saait can vary with the local patro and family tradition, so confirm it if you are joining a household ceremony. For visitors, the practical instruction is simple: be in place by 5:15 pm, because lamps are lit at dusk and the best scenes are before the crowds peak.

Bhai Tika 2026 falls on Wednesday 11 November. The official auspicious time is 11:07 am. Nepal’s Calendar Determination Committee set the hour, and brothers should face west while receiving tika; sisters face east while applying it. The committee has also said there is no strict astrological bar on receiving tika in the afternoon, so families spread the ritual across the day.

If you see 11:39 am quoted for Bhai Tika, that figure matches the 2025 time. It is still circulating on older and automated pages. The 2026 time is 11:07 am.

Why the 2026 Calendar Is Unusual

In most years, Kukur Tihar is day two and Gai Tihar shares day three with Laxmi Puja. In 2026, Kukur Tihar and Laxmi Puja share Sunday 8 November, and Gai Puja moves to Monday 9 November. The trigger is the new-moon tithi, which begins on the afternoon of 8 November and shifts the sequence.

That has two consequences for travellers. First, Sunday 8 November is the single biggest day of the festival — dogs in the morning, lamps at night. Second, Indian calendars order the days differently, so some sites list Laxmi Puja on 9 November and Bhai Dooj on 10 November. For anything happening inside Nepal, use the Nepali dates in this guide.

What Is Tihar?

Tihar is Nepal’s five-day festival of lights, also called Deepawali and Yama Panchak, celebrated in the Nepali month of Kartik (October–November). It honours Yama, the god of death, and Laxmi, the goddess of wealth, and it does so through the animals closest to a Nepali household: the crow, the dog, the cow and the ox. The Nepal Tourism Board outlines the same five-day sequence and its cultural significance.

The festival is often described as “Nepal’s Diwali,” but that undersells it. Tihar is its own tradition. The first two days belong to Yama’s messengers. The middle days honour the animals that feed and carry a family. The fourth day, for Newars, is Mha Puja — the worship of the self — and the start of Nepal Sambat 1147. The fifth day, Bhai Tika, is a sibling ritual built around protection from death itself.

For a visitor, the useful frame is this: Tihar is a festival of households, not a festival of public spectacle. The big set pieces — the lamps, the rangoli, the dogs in garlands — are visible from the street. The heart of it happens in courtyards and doorways, and you are a guest there.

Tihar vs Diwali: What’s the Difference?

Tihar and Diwali are related festivals that fall at the same time, but they are not the same. Diwali is the Indian festival of lights, widely associated with Rama’s return to Ayodhya, with strong regional variations. Tihar is Nepal’s Yama-centred festival, with a five-day sequence built around animals, Laxmi and siblings.

In Nepal’s southern Terai, the festival is commonly called Deepawali and looks closer to Indian Diwali. In the Kathmandu Valley, especially in Newar neighbourhoods, it is Swanti or Tihar, and the Mha Puja rituals are distinctly local. If you want the version with the animal days and the Newar new year, you want Kathmandu, Patan or Bhaktapur.

The Tihar Festival 2026: Dhanteras and the Five Main Days

Dhanteras — Friday 6 November 2026

Dhanteras opens Tihar. Homes are cleaned, lamps are lit for Yama, and families buy metal utensils, jewellery or vehicles. The streets around Asan and Indra Chowk are busy with shoppers. It is a good arrival day: you will see the city shifting into festival mode without the full crush of the weekend.

Kaag Tihar — Saturday 7 November 2026

Kaag Tihar honours the crow, Yama’s messenger. Families leave rice, lentils and small offerings on rooftops, ledges and doorsteps at dawn. The day is quiet by Tihar standards. It is the best day for a walking tour of the old city, a museum, or a slow lunch before the weekend crowds arrive.

Kukur Tihar — Sunday 8 November 2026 (morning)

Kukur Tihar honours dogs, Yama’s agents and guides of departed souls. Every dog — pet, temple dog or stray — receives a marigold garland, a red tika and a plate of food. Animal-welfare groups set up feeding points around Kathmandu.

If you want to photograph the day, ask the owner before you approach a dog, and never get between a dog and its food. The scenes are warm and genuinely funny; they are also a religious observance, not a pet parade.

Laxmi Puja — Sunday 8 November 2026 (evening)

Laxmi Puja is the defining night of Tihar. Doorways are lined with oil lamps, marigold garlands and rangoli. Footprints are drawn from the street to the threshold to lead Laxmi inside. Doors and windows stay open. Shopfronts glow. Groups of girls sing bhailo from house to house.

Be in the old city by 5:15 pm. Kathmandu Durbar Square and Basantapur are the densest and most atmospheric; Patan is calmer and more Newar; Bhaktapur is the best photography if you are willing to stay overnight. Thamel is loud, bright and crowded — good for energy, less good for a clear view.

Gai Puja — Monday 9 November 2026

Gai Puja honours the cow, an animal associated with Laxmi and central to Nepali household life. Cows are washed, garlanded and fed. In 2026 this day stands alone, which makes it a relaxed day to visit Patan or Bhaktapur and watch the household rituals rather than chase the biggest crowds.

Govardhan Puja and Mha Puja — Tuesday 10 November 2026

Govardhan Puja honours the ox and the Govardhan hill; Mha Puja honours the self. Newar families sit before a mandala of flour, fruit and lamps and are blessed for the coming year. The same day marks the start of Nepal Sambat 1147, the Newar calendar new year, with processions and music in the valley.

This is the most culturally layered day of the week and the one most tourists miss. If you have a local guide, ask to observe a Mha Puja household or a Newar courtyard ceremony. Do not walk into a home uninvited.

Bhai Tika — Wednesday 11 November 2026

Bhai Tika is the final day, when sisters apply a seven-colour tika to their brothers and pray for their long life. The ritual includes a circle of oil and water, a makhamali garland, and gifts from brother to sister. The official auspicious time is 11:07 am, though families continue through the day.

For visitors, Bhai Tika is a family day. You may be invited to receive tika as a guest; accept with your right hand and follow your host’s lead. Do not treat the ceremony as a photo opportunity. If you are travelling with a Nepali guide or host family, this is the day to ask whether you can join.

Where to Experience Tihar in Nepal

The Kathmandu Valley is the best place to experience Tihar, and Bhaktapur is the single best base for Laxmi Puja night. The valley combines the densest lamp displays, the strongest Newar rituals and the easiest logistics. Pokhara is quieter; Chitwan and the Terai offer a Deepawali-style celebration.

For a wildlife add-on, compare Chitwan and Bardia before choosing a lodge. Tihar is a good time to combine the festival with a safari.

A Simple Five-Night Tihar Plan

Friday 6 November: arrive, settle in, walk Asan and Indra Chowk for Dhanteras shopping.

Saturday 7 November: old-city walking tour and Kaag Tihar rooftop scenes.

Sunday 8 November: Kukur Tihar in the morning; leave Kathmandu by 3:30 pm and be in Bhaktapur by 4:30 pm for Laxmi Puja.

Monday 9 November: slow morning in Bhaktapur or Patan for Gai Puja.

Tuesday 10 November: Patan for Mha Puja and Nepal Sambat processions.

Wednesday 11 November: Bhai Tika with a host family or a cultural invitation, then a farewell dinner.

That plan gives you the two big nights without spending every evening in traffic. If you only have three nights, prioritise Sunday 8 November and Tuesday 10 November.

Where to Stay During Tihar in Nepal

Base yourself in Kathmandu for transport and choice, in Bhaktapur for the best Laxmi Puja atmosphere, or in Patan for Newar culture. All three are within easy reach of the valley’s main celebrations, so the right choice depends on how much time you want to spend in the car.

For 2027, book Laxmi Puja and Bhai Tika nights two to three months ahead; for 2026, contact us for last-minute availability. Rates can rise during festival week, especially around heritage areas, and the best rooms in Bhaktapur go first. For a curated shortlist, see our luxury hotels and lodges in Nepal guide.

What Tihar Looks Like on the Ground

Tihar looks like a city of small lights. Not fireworks on a grand scale, but thousands of oil lamps along doorsteps, windowsills and shop counters. Marigold garlands hang in doorways. Rangoli patterns spread across thresholds. The air smells of mustard oil, incense and frying sel roti.

Bhailo and deusi are the soundtrack. On Laxmi Puja night, groups of girls sing bhailo from house to house. On the following nights, boys sing deusi. They are welcomed, fed and given money or sweets. If a group arrives at your hotel courtyard, it is fine to watch and tip; it is not a performance you have paid for.

The food is part of the ritual. Look for sel roti (a crisp, ring-shaped rice doughnut), anarsa (sesame and rice sweets), lakhamari (a hard, sweet biscuit) and Newar samay baji in Patan and Bhaktapur. Many families eat vegetarian food during the festival.

The animal days are the most photogenic and the easiest to misread. A garlanded street dog is not a costume; it is a blessing. A cow with a tika is not a prop; it is a household member. Ask before you photograph, and keep your distance while the animal is eating.

Tihar Etiquette: How to Be a Respectful Guest

The short version: wait to be invited, accept with your right hand, and do not treat a family ritual as content. Tihar is warm to visitors, but the warmth depends on you reading the room.

• Wait for an invitation into a home. Doorways are open for Laxmi, not automatically for tourists.
• Accept tika and food with your right hand. If you do not want to eat, take a small amount rather than refusing outright.
• Do not step on rangoli, lamp trails or offerings. Walk around them, even in a crowded lane.
• Ask before photographing people, ceremonies and especially Bhai Tika. A nod toward your camera is not consent.
• Dress modestly in temples and old quarters. Covered shoulders and knees are the safe default.
• Do not touch a dog without asking the owner. On Kukur Tihar, let the dog eat first.
• Keep your voice low during a puja. Stand to the side, not in the doorway.
• A small contribution to a bhailo or deusi group is normal. It is not required, but it is appreciated.
• Do not bring alcohol into a religious setting. Public drinking during the ritual parts of the festival is inappropriate.

Nepal Lion Tours planning note. Our guides leave Kathmandu by 3:30 pm for Bhaktapur because the lanes fill quickly after dusk. The mistake we see most often is arriving late and chasing photographs instead of standing still. The image guests remember is usually the quiet courtyard, not the crowded square.

Photography Tips for Tihar in Nepal

The best light is at dusk, just before and after the lamps are lit. Plan to be in position by 5:00 pm, and stay for the first hour after sunset when doorways glow and the crowds are still moving.

• Use a fast lens or a phone with good low-light performance. A 35 mm or 50 mm equivalent is ideal for doorways, rangoli and intimate courtyard scenes.
• Expose the lamps. If you expose the sky, the lamps will blow out; if you expose them, the sky will go dark. The second option usually tells the story better.
• Ask before photographing people, ceremonies and animals. A smile and a gesture toward your camera is enough; a nod is not automatic consent.
• Do not use a flash during a puja or in a crowded courtyard. It distracts worshippers and flattens the lamp light.
• Keep Bhai Tika private. If you are invited into a family home, ask whether photographs are welcome before you raise the camera.
• Carry a small cloth. Festival dust, oil lamps and crowded lanes are hard on lenses.

A private guide can help you find courtyards where photography is welcome and steer you away from ceremonies that are not open to visitors.

Travel Logistics During Tihar 2026

Nepal observes a five-day government holiday for Tihar from Sunday 8 to Thursday 12 November 2026. Government offices and many public services close during this period, while hotels, restaurants, trekking routes and major tourist services generally continue operating. Individual business hours can vary, so confirm anything time-sensitive in advance. The holiday calendar is published by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Arrange any Kathmandu-issued permit before Friday 6 November where possible. That includes TIMS, ACAP, national park permits and restricted-area permits for Upper Mustang, Upper Dolpo, Manaslu and Tsum. These are normally issued by government-linked offices that observe the holiday, but opening arrangements can change; confirm with your operator or the relevant office. The Everest region is the exception: the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality permit is bought on the ground at Lukla or Monjo, so Everest itineraries stay flexible through the holiday.

Book transport early. Domestic flights and tourist buses fill around 7–12 November. Kathmandu roads jam on the Bhai Tika shopping days. If you are flying to Lukla or Pokhara, build in a buffer day — autumn weather and festival demand both cause delays.

Trekking during Tihar is entirely possible. The trails are open, the teahouses are open, and the mountain villages celebrate in a quieter, more local way. The caveat is staffing: guides and porters may take a day with their families, so a private departure with advance planning is smoother than a last-minute group join. For the trail and permit picture, see our Dashain and Tihar 2026 guide.

Carry cash. ATMs can run dry in festival week, especially outside Kathmandu and Pokhara. A mix of NPR cash and a working eSIM covers the practical gaps.

Expect cold mornings at altitude. Autumn is clear and dry, but above 3,500 m / 11,483 ft the pre-dawn temperature routinely falls below freezing. If you are combining Tihar with a trek, pack for both a lamp-lit city evening and a frozen mountain sunrise.

What to Pack for Tihar

• Modest clothing for temples and old quarters: covered shoulders and knees.
• A light evening layer for lamp-lit streets, plus a warm layer for mountain mornings.
• Cash in NPR for small offerings, bhailo and deusi groups, and places that do not take cards.
• Comfortable walking shoes for crowded lanes and steep temple steps.
• A small day bag that leaves your hands free in a crowd.
• A portable charger for long festival evenings.

Luxury Tihar Tours and Experiences

A private, guide-led Tihar trip solves the two hardest problems of the week: timing and access. You get a vehicle that can move before the crowds, a guide who knows which courtyard is welcoming guests, and a plan that does not depend on public transport on the busiest nights. Nepal Lion Tours runs private departures from two travellers, with licensed English-speaking guides and premium hotels. For a broader look at premium travel in Nepal, see our luxury travel in Nepal guide.

These are live “from” prices per person; final availability and pricing depend on dates, group size, room category and services. Tihar elements are added to the itinerary rather than automatically included in every package, so confirm the festival plan at booking.

The classic Tihar itinerary: five days in the Kathmandu Valley. Arrive on 6 November, settle into a premium heritage hotel, and spend Dhanteras walking the old bazaar. Kaag Tihar is a slow old-city day. On 8 November, a private guide takes you to Kukur Tihar in the morning and Bhaktapur before dusk for Laxmi Puja. Gai Puja and Mha Puja follow in Patan and Bhaktapur. Bhai Tika closes with a cultural invitation or a private farewell dinner. Add a Nagarkot sunrise on the last morning if your flight allows.

The festival-and-Himalaya itinerary: nine days. Combine the Kathmandu Valley with Pokhara and Chitwan, or add a short Everest helicopter flight. The helicopter option is a charter arranged through a licensed operator, not an in-house aircraft, and it is weather-dependent. In festival week, an early-morning slot is the most reliable. For a full breakdown of the flight, see our Everest helicopter tour guide.

The short-break itinerary: three days. If you only have a long weekend, base yourself in Kathmandu, take a private city tour, and give Laxmi Puja night to Bhaktapur. It is the highest-impact use of three days.

Nepal Lion Tours planning note. Festival week is not the time to improvise transport. We pre-position vehicles before the Laxmi Puja crowds, keep the guide with the guests rather than the car, and build a walking route through the old city. On Bhai Tika, we leave the morning open because the roads and family homes are busy; the invitation sets the timing.

What a Tihar Trip Costs in 2026

A comfortable Tihar trip in Nepal typically costs USD 100–180 per person per day, before international flights. That estimate covers a comfortable room, breakfast, a private guide on key days, airport transfers and some meals. It does not include international flights, travel insurance, most lunches and dinners, entrance fees, tips or alcohol. A premium trip with five-star hotels, private guiding and curated dining runs higher.

Rates can rise during festival week, especially around heritage areas. For 2027, book two to three months ahead for Laxmi Puja and Bhai Tika nights; for 2026, ask us about last-minute rooms. Treat the live package prices above as a starting point; final pricing depends on dates, group size, room category and services. For a full breakdown, see our luxury Nepal tour cost guide.

The biggest variable is not the hotel — it is the transport. A private vehicle and driver can get you to the edge of the old city before the crowds peak, but it cannot drive through pedestrian lanes; the final approach is always on foot. For a couple, the cost is often worth it. For a solo traveller, a guided small-group departure is more efficient.

Tihar 2027: Dates and How to Plan Ahead

Tihar 2027 is expected to run from Wednesday 27 October to Sunday 31 October, with Laxmi Puja on Friday 29 October and Bhai Tika on Sunday 31 October. These are provisional dates based on the lunar calendar; confirm them against the official 2084 BS patro before booking flights.

The 2027 sequence should return to the classic pattern: Kaag Tihar, Kukur Tihar, Gai Tihar and Laxmi Puja, Govardhan Puja and Mha Puja, then Bhai Tika. That means Laxmi Puja and Gai Puja are likely to share a day again, unlike 2026.

Plan 2027 around the last week of October. It is peak autumn in Nepal, so flights, guides and the best rooms sell out early. Book four to six months ahead if you want Laxmi Puja in Bhaktapur or a premium hotel in Kathmandu. If you are combining Tihar with a trek, lock the trek dates first and build the festival nights around them.

Nepal Lion Tours planning note. For 2027, we are already holding guide and vehicle blocks for the last week of October. Guests who book earliest get the two things that matter most: a room in Bhaktapur for Laxmi Puja and a guide who can take them into a family courtyard rather than a crowd. The dates move, but the planning window does not.

Sources and Further Reading

• Ministry of Home Affairs, Nepal— the 2083 BS public holiday calendar.
• Radio Nepal — the 2026 Tihar schedule and Bhai Tika auspicious time.
• Nepal Tourism Board— the festival sequence and cultural background.
• Kathmandu Metropolitan City — local Kartik 2083 calendar and city notices.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Tihar 2026?

Tihar 2026 runs from Saturday 7 November to Wednesday 11 November, with Dhanteras opening the festival on Friday 6 November. Laxmi Puja is on Sunday 8 November and Bhai Tika is on Wednesday 11 November.

Is Tihar the same as Diwali?

No. Tihar is Nepal’s five-day festival of lights, centred on Yama and Laxmi and the animals associated with them. Diwali is the Indian festival of lights, widely associated with Rama’s return to Ayodhya, with strong regional variations. They fall at the same time and share the lamps and Laxmi worship, but the ritual sequence and meaning differ.

When is Laxmi Puja 2026?

Laxmi Puja is on the evening of Sunday 8 November 2026. In Kathmandu the puja period begins around sunset, at about 5:15 pm, and runs into the early evening; be in place by 5:15 pm.

When is Bhai Tika 2026 and what is the auspicious time?

Bhai Tika is on Wednesday 11 November 2026. The official auspicious time is 11:07 am. Brothers face west and sisters face east during the ritual. The 11:39 am figure still seen online matches the 2025 time; the 2026 time is 11:07 am.

Why do some websites say Laxmi Puja is on 9 November?

Because Indian calendars order the tithis differently from the Nepali patro. Inside Nepal, the official date is Sunday 8 November 2026. Use the Nepali date for anything happening in Nepal.

What are the five days of Tihar?

In 2026 they run as Kaag Tihar (crows), Kukur Tihar and Laxmi Puja (dogs and the goddess of wealth), Gai Puja (cows), Govardhan Puja and Mha Puja (oxen, self-worship and Nepal Sambat New Year), and Bhai Tika (brothers and sisters).

Can tourists celebrate Tihar in Nepal?

Yes. Tihar is one of the most visitor-friendly festivals in Nepal. You can watch the public celebrations, join a bhailo or deusi group, and accept tika if invited. The key is to be a respectful guest and not treat rituals as a performance.

Where is the best place to experience Tihar?

Bhaktapur is the best single base for Laxmi Puja night. Kathmandu Durbar Square is the most central and atmospheric. Patan is calmer and more Newar. Pokhara is a quieter lakeside alternative, and Chitwan offers a Deepawali-style celebration.

Is Tihar a good time to visit Nepal?

Yes. The weather is clear and dry, the festival is visually spectacular, and the country remains open. The trade-offs are higher hotel rates, busier transport and holiday closures at government offices.

What is closed during Tihar?

Government offices, banks and most permit desks close from 8 to 12 November 2026. Hotels, restaurants, trekking routes and teahouses stay open. Some shops close for part of Laxmi Puja and Bhai Tika. Confirm permit arrangements with your operator before the holiday.

Can you trek during Tihar?

Yes. The main trekking routes and teahouses stay open. Arrange any Kathmandu-issued permits before 6 November where possible, book flights early, and build a buffer day around the holiday.

What should I wear or bring to Tihar?

Wear modest clothing for temples and old quarters, carry cash for small offerings and transport, and bring a camera you are comfortable using respectfully. A light layer for the evening and a warm layer for mountain mornings covers most of the week.

Is Tihar 2026 a public holiday in Nepal?

Yes. The main public holiday block is Sunday 8 to Thursday 12 November 2026. Saturday 7 November is the normal weekly holiday, and Chhath is a separate holiday on Sunday 15 November.

When is Tihar 2027?

Tihar 2027 is expected to run from Wednesday 27 October to Sunday 31 October, with Laxmi Puja on Friday 29 October and Bhai Tika on Sunday 31 October. These dates are provisional until the official 2084 BS calendar is published.

Plan Your Tihar Trip with Nepal Lion Tours

Tihar rewards travellers who plan the two big nights and leave the rest flexible. We build private Tihar itineraries around Laxmi Puja, Mha Puja and Bhai Tika, with premium hotels, a licensed English-speaking guide, private vehicles and advance permit handling. Every departure is private from two travellers, and guides complete wilderness first-aid training.

Send your preferred dates and group size through the booking form or WhatsApp at +977-9851039020. Tell us whether you want the classic Kathmandu Valley festival, a longer Nepal tour with Pokhara and Chitwan, or a short luxury break with a Himalayan sunrise. We will confirm what is still bookable for 2026 and hold provisional dates for 2027.

If you are still choosing an operator, read our guide to how to choose a luxury tour operator in Nepal. If you want to combine Tihar with a comfortable trek, see 5-star trekking in Nepal.

Send your dates and group size today and we will reply with a private Tihar plan, current availability for Laxmi Puja and Bhai Tika nights, and a clear price for your group.

Last updated: 5 November 2026.