Explore Nepal’s Indigenous Festivals: Kirat, Magar, Tharu, and Newar Cultural Celebrations

Nepal’s cultural richness extends beyond Hindu, Buddhist, Muslim, and Christian festivals, shining through the unique and vibrant celebrations of Indigenous communities including the Kirat, Magar, Tharu, and Newar. From the rhythmic Sakela dance of the Kirat during Udhauli Ubhauli and Maghi New Year of the Tharu to Newari festivals : Indra Jatra and Gai Jatra, and Lhosar as diverse New Year Celebrations, each of these events reflects deep spiritual belief and ancestral heritage.

These festivals are more than just celebrations—they are living expressions of faith, identity, and unity. They connect generations, preserve heritage, and bring communities together in shared respect and joy.

Discover more about Nepal’s diverse cultural traditions in The Diverse Festivals of Nepal: Celebrate Unity in Faith and Culture and join our Cultural Heritage Tour to immerse yourself in these vibrant festivals—witness the traditions, dances, and rituals, and take part in the celebrations for a truly unforgettable experience.

Kirat Festivals: Honoring Nature and Ancestors

The Kirat community, one of Nepal’s oldest ethnic groups, includes the Rai, Limbu, Sunuwar, and Yakkha people. They celebrate festivals that honor seasonal change, nature worship, and ancestral spirits.

Udhauli: A Festival of Gratitude for the Harvest Season

Udhauli is one of the major festivals of the Kirat community, observed primarily by the Rai, Limbu, and Sunuwar communities in Eastern Nepal. It marks the end of the harvesting season and the beginning of the migration of people and animals to warmer regions. Udhauli symbolizes the community's gratitude for the successful harvest and the blessings of the ancestors and nature.

Tradition and Practice of Udhauli 

• The festival is marked by traditional dances like Sakela (or Chandi Naach), in which men and women dance in a circle, reflecting agricultural activities and nature.
• Special prayers and offerings are made to the ancestors and nature to seek protection and prosperity.
• Local communities gather to showcase their traditional attire, songs, and dances, fostering a sense of unity and cultural pride.

Ubhauli: Prayers for a Beautiful Planting Season

Ubhauli marks the migration period in the Kirat calendar when people prepare for the new planting season. It is celebrated with the same spirit and enthusiasm as Udhauli, symbolizing the community’s connection with the agricultural cycle.

Ubhauli represents a time to seek blessings for a prosperous planting season and to honor the deities and ancestors.

Tradition and Practice of Ubhauli

• The traditional Sakela dance is performed, with participants dressed in traditional attire, creating a lively and festive atmosphere.
• Offerings are made to the deities for a successful farming season, and prayers are conducted for the well-being of families and communities.
• The entire community comes together, participating in dance and feasting, strengthening social bonds. 

Sakela: The Grand Festival of Nature Worship

Sakela is not just a dance but the heart of Kirat festivals. Celebrated during both Udhauli and Ubhauli, it is the expression of respect for the land, nature, and ancestors, demonstrating the Kirat community’s deep spiritual connection to the environment.

Sakela honors nature and celebrates the traditional agrarian lifestyle, reflecting gratitude and prayers for protection and prosperity.

Tradition and Practice of Sakela

• In Sakela dance, men and women dance in synchrony to drum beats and traditional songs, narrating stories of nature, harvest, and community.
• Special offerings are made to the spirits of nature and ancestors at local shrines.
• Sakela dances, with their distinct choreography, costumes, and instruments, represent the cultural identity of the Kirat community, preserving their unique heritage.

Magar Festivals: Tradition Rooted in Nature and Community

The Magar community, largely found in the western hills of Nepal, celebrates festivals that are deeply connected with nature, emphasizing earth worship and ancestral bonds.

Maghe Sankranti: The Festival of Harvest

Celebrated in January (the 1st of Magh in the Nepali calendar), Maghe Sankranti marks the sun’s transition into Capricorn, symbolizing the end of winter and the arrival of longer days. 

Although Maghe Sankranti is celebrated across Nepal, it is famously recognized as a national festival of Magar communities, marking the New Year and a fresh start. This harvest festival is a time of gratitude, renewal, and prosperity. 

Traditional Practice during Maghe Sankranti

• It is celebrated with traditional dances, enjoyment of traditional foods like sesame seeds, ghee, chaku (a sweet made of molasses), and ghiu (clarified butter).
• During the festival, Magars honor their ancestors and offer prayers to the sun god for warmth and a good harvest.
• Holy dips in sacred rivers and prayers to the Sun God mark this occasion of gratitude as a gesture of gratitude and purification.

Tharu Festivals: A Blend of Culture and Celebration

The Tharu people, indigenous to Nepal’s Terai region, have a unique blend of Hindu, animist, and tribal traditions.

Ram Navami (Janakpur): The Birth of Lord Rama

Ram Navami is celebrated in Janakpur with great fervor, marking the birth of Lord Rama, a significant figure in Hindu mythology. Ramnavami represents the ideals of virtue, duty, and righteousness embodied by Lord Rama.

Tradition and Practice 

• The festival includes processions, music, dance, and recitations from the Ramayana.
• Temples are decorated, and special prayers are held to honor Lord Rama and seek his blessings.
• The cultural event celebrations foster unity and joy among communities, emphasizing the importance of moral values.

Jitiya: A Festival for the Well-being of Children

Jitiya is celebrated primarily by women in the Terai region, dedicated to the well-being and longevity of their children. 

• Women observe fasting and rituals to seek blessings for their children's health and prosperity.
• The festival involves communal prayers and offerings to deities.
• Fasting is strictly observed, with special foods prepared for the family after the rituals are completed.
• Cultural events in Jitiya strengthen familial bonds and highlight the role of women in nurturing and caring for their families.

Faguwa: A Celebration of Spring

Faguwa, also known as Holi in some regions, is celebrated in the Terai with unique traditions that emphasize local customs and community bonding. Celebrates the arrival of spring and the vibrancy of life through colors and joy. People engage in throwing colored powders, singing, dancing, and sharing festive foods.

 Maghi: The Tharu Community Festival

Maghi is one of the major festivals celebrated by the Tharu community, marking the arrival of the winter solstice and the beginning of the harvest season. Maghi is the time for feasting and celebrating the end of winter hardships. Maghi is recognized as the new year of the Tharu community.

Tradition and Practice  of Maghi

• Families gather to enjoy traditional cuisines like Til ko laddu (sesame sweets), ghee, selroti, and achar, believed to bring prosperity.
• Communities gather for communal feasts and cultural performances with folk singing, dancing, and storytelling, reflecting the joy of the season and deep-rooted connection to nature and agriculture. 

Siruwa: Tharu New Welcoming the New Year

Siruwa, or Tharu New Year, is celebrated with great enthusiasm by the Tharu community, marking the beginning of a new year according to their lunar calendar. It represents renewal, hope, and new beginnings. The Tharu community engages in various rituals, including prayers for prosperity and well-being. Traditional dances, music, and feasting are integral parts of the celebrations, showcasing Tharu culture.

Newar Festivals of Nepal: A Unique Fusion of Hindu and Buddhist Traditions

The Newar community, indigenous to the Kathmandu Valley, is famous for its grand celebrations of vibrant festivals that beautifully blend Hindu and Buddhist traditions with music, devotion, and lavish Newari cuisine. 

Major Newari festivals include Indra Jatra (featuring the Living Goddess Kumari), Gai Jatra, and Mha Puja, showcasing the community’s deep cultural roots. From Gathan Mugah (Son Festival) in August to Sithi Nakhah (Daughter Festival) in June, the Newar calendar is filled with colorful festivals such as Bungdya Jatra, Bhoto Jatra, Yomari Punhi, and Mataya. These festivals are not just religious events—they reflect the artistic, religious, and hospitable nature of Newari culture.

Lhosar: Diverse New Year Celebrations

In Nepal, Lhosar marks the beginning of a new year for several ethnic groups, including the Tibetan, Sherpa, and Tamang communities, with unique flavors and traditions.

Gyalpo Lhosar, Sonam Lhosar, and Sakya Lhosar

• Tamu Lhosar (Gurung New Year): celebrated in December.
• Sonam Lhosar (Tamang New Year): Celebrated in January or February.
• Gyalpo Lhosar (Tibetan and Sherpa New Year): Celebrated in February or March.

Although each variation of Lhosar carries its own unique customs, the essence of the celebration remains the same: a time for family reunions, feasts, and honoring cultural identity.

Traditional practice of Lhosar

•  Each version of Lhosar signifies new beginnings, with a deep-rooted appreciation for cultural identity.
• Festivities include community feasts, traditional music, and family reunions, strengthening social bonds.
• Each community has its own customs, blending age-old traditions and practices that resonate with their histories.
• The atmosphere during Losar is very cultural in each version, with engaging performances and joyous gatherings that highlight the significance of the New Year.

Experience Nepal’s Indigenous Festivals

The festivals of the Kirat, Magar, Tharu, and Newar communities showcase Nepal’s ethnic diversity, spiritual heritage, and deep-rooted traditions. From the Sakela dance of the Kirat, the harvest celebration of the Magar, and the New Year feasts of the Tharu to the grand processions of the Newar and diverse versions of Loshar, each celebration offers a unique glimpse into Nepal’s living culture.

Want to witness these incredible traditions firsthand? 

Join our Cultural Heritage Tour and immerse yourself in Nepal’s vibrant festivals. Also, don’t miss our detailed guide on Newari Festivals to discover the cultural magnificence of the Kathmandu Valley.