Tihar Festival in Nepal 2026: Dates, Five Days and Traditions

Tihar is Nepal's five-day festival of lights, flowers and relationships. Searchers often get conflicting dates because lunar observances can cross midnight, different calendars label the opening differently, and some pages reuse last year's schedule. This guide gives the 2083 BS sequence first, then explains what each day means and how the festival affects travel, meals and restaurant plans.

Direct answer

Tihar 2083 in Nepal runs from Saturday, 7 November to Wednesday, 11 November 2026. Kaag Tihar is on 7 November; Kukur Tihar and Laxmi Puja are on 8 November; Gai Tihar is on 9 November; Goru Tihar, Govardhan Puja and Mha Puja are on 10 November; and Bhai Tika concludes the festival on 11 November.

Tihar 2026 dates at a glance

The Nepal Calendar Determination Committee announced 11:07 a.m. on 11 November as the auspicious Bhai Tika time for 2026. Families may observe tika outside that time according to circumstance and tradition, so treat it as guidance rather than a rule for every household.

What happens on the five days of Tihar?

• Kaag Tihar honours crows, traditionally regarded as messengers.
• Kukur Tihar honours dogs with garlands, tika and food, recognising loyalty and companionship.
• Laxmi Puja welcomes the goddess of wealth with cleaned homes, lamps, rangoli or mandala designs and worship in the evening.
• Gai Tihar honours the cow; the exact ordering of Gai Tihar and Laxmi Puja can vary with the lunar calendar.
• Goru Tihar and Govardhan Puja honour oxen and Govardhan, while the Newar community observes Mha Puja as worship of the self.
• Bhai Tika centres the relationship between sisters and brothers through multi-coloured tika, garlands, blessings, gifts and food.

These summaries describe widely recognised patterns, not a single script followed by every Nepali household. Region, community, faith and family practice all shape the details.

Why Tihar is called the festival of lights

Diyo lamps, candles and electric lights make homes and streets visibly different after dark. During Laxmi Puja, families commonly clean and decorate the home and create a lit path associated with welcoming Laxmi. Marigold garlands, colourful floor designs and the sound of Deusi Bhailo add colour and movement. The light is both visual and symbolic: welcome, prosperity and connection.

Deusi Bhailo, food and the social side

Groups visit homes to sing Deusi or Bhailo, offer blessings and receive food or money. Sel roti is one of the festival's most recognisable foods, often served with tea, achar, yoghurt, curries, fruit or sweets. The meal changes by household, and modern celebrations may mix homemade food with restaurant orders. If you are hosting, plan one memorable item well rather than crowding the table with dishes that cannot be served safely.

Visitor and dining advice during Tihar

• Ask before photographing a private puja, tika ceremony, child or pet.
• Expect traffic, short-notice closures and reduced menus around the main family days.
• Do not assume every illuminated home or Deusi Bhailo group is a public attraction.
• Follow Nepal Police's 2026 warning not to use firecrackers or fireworks; they can cause fire, injury, property damage and pollution.
• Choose verified opening information and call a restaurant before a long journey.
• Keep a nearby backup, especially on 10 and 11 November.

For a meal out, location certainty and a confirmed phone response matter more than an old 'best restaurants during Tihar' list.

Make a real Tihar plan

Festival information is most useful when it leads to a confident decision. Explore restaurants open now in Kathmandu, compare Nepali restaurants in Kathmandu, or create a free KunRestaurant account to save useful places and return to this guide. Opening hours and menus can change during Tihar, so confirm directly with the venue before travelling.

Continue the Tihar guide

• Tihar Food in Nepal: Sel Roti, Sweets and Menu Guide
• Tihar Wishes in Nepali and English: 50 Meaningful Messages
• Restaurants Open During Tihar in Kathmandu: Live Planning Guide
• Tihar Festival Essay in English: 100, 200 and 500 Words

Sources and freshness note

The five-day sequence follows the Nepal Tourism Board's explanation of Tihar. The 2026 day-by-day dates are cross-checked against two published 2083 calendars. The Bhai Tika time comes from the Nepal Calendar Determination Committee's current announcement. Festival dates, ritual timing and business hours are time-sensitive; this page was reviewed on 7 November 2026 in Nepal time.

FAQ

When is Tihar in Nepal in 2026?

The main five-day sequence runs from 7 to 11 November 2026, ending with Bhai Tika.

When is Laxmi Puja in 2026?

Laxmi Puja falls on Sunday, 8 November 2026.

When is Bhai Tika in 2026?

Bhai Tika is on Wednesday, 11 November 2026; the announced auspicious time is 11:07 a.m. Nepal time.

Is Tihar the same as Diwali?

They overlap as festivals of light, but Nepal's Tihar has a distinctive five-day sequence including Kaag Tihar, Kukur Tihar, Gai Tihar, Mha Puja and Bhai Tika.

Final take

Tihar is not one generic celebration. It is a five-day sequence of relationships, light, food, music and distinct community traditions. Use this guide as a practical starting point, respect how individual families celebrate, and verify anything that can change on the day.