Dashain in Nepal: A Cultural Experience Every Singapore Traveller Should Discover

In short

Dashain is Nepal's biggest and longest festival: fifteen days in late September or October when families gather, elders give tika and blessings, and the whole country slows down to celebrate the victory of good over evil. In 2026 it runs from Ghatasthapana on Sunday 11 October to Kojagrat Purnima on Sunday 25 October, with the main tika day, Vijaya Dashami, on Wednesday 21 October. For a Singapore traveller it is one of the most colourful times to see everyday Nepal, as long as you plan around the holiday closures and the busy roads.

Dashain 2026 at a glance

• Ghatasthapana, the first day: Sunday 11 October 2026
• Phulpati: Saturday 17 October
• Maha Ashtami: Sunday 18 October
• Maha Navami: Tuesday 20 October
• Vijaya Dashami, the main tika day: Wednesday 21 October
• Kojagrat Purnima, the last day: Sunday 25 October

Discover Nepal during Dashain

Visit Nepal in October and you arrive in the middle of its most important celebration. Kites drift over the rooftops of Kathmandu, bamboo swings appear in village fields, markets fill with goats, new clothes and marigolds, and families travel across the country to be home for one morning: the day their elders press a red tika onto their foreheads and bless them for the year ahead.

Dashain is a family festival rather than a show put on for visitors, which is exactly why it is worth understanding before you go. Knowing what each day means, what closes and what stays open, and how to join in respectfully turns a busy week into one of the most memorable ways to experience Nepal's culture, especially if you are combining it with the Kathmandu Valley's heritage sites or a few days in the hills.

What is Dashain? Understanding Nepal's biggest festival

Dashain, also called Bada Dashain or Vijaya Dashami, is a fifteen-day Hindu festival celebrated across Nepal and by Nepali communities around the world, including in Singapore. It follows the lunar calendar, so the dates move each year, usually falling in the Nepali month of Ashwin, between late September and October.

At its heart is the story of Goddess Durga's victory over the buffalo demon Mahishasura, a triumph of good over evil that Hindus mark with nine nights of worship, Navaratri, followed by the day of victory, Vijaya Dashami. Many families also remember Lord Ram's victory over Ravana on the same day. For most Nepalis, though, Dashain is above all about togetherness: returning to the family home, receiving blessings from elders and sharing food, gifts and time with relatives they may not have seen all year.

In Singapore, the same nine nights of Navaratri are celebrated at Hindu temples such as Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple in Little India, which is dedicated to the goddess Kali, and Nepali families here, including many from the Gurkha community, gather at home for tika on Vijaya Dashami.

The traditions that make Dashain special

Ghatasthapana and the growing of jamara

Dashain begins with Ghatasthapana, literally the placing of the sacred vessel. In each home a kalash, a pot of holy water representing Goddess Durga, is set up in the prayer room, and barley seeds are sown in a tray of sand or soil beside it. Kept out of direct sunlight and watered each day, the seeds grow into pale yellow shoots called jamara, which are worn as a blessing on the tenth day.

Phulpati and the royal procession

On the seventh day, Phulpati, a bundle of sacred flowers, leaves and jamara is carried from the old royal palace at Gorkha to Hanuman Dhoka in the heart of Kathmandu, a tradition from the days of the Shah kings. In the capital the procession is received with ceremony and the Nepal Army marks the day at Tundikhel, the old parade ground. In 2026 Phulpati falls on Saturday 17 October.

Maha Ashtami and Maha Navami

The eighth and ninth days are devoted to Durga's fiercer forms. Temples such as those at Dakshinkali and in the Durbar Squares are crowded with worshippers, and animal sacrifices are part of the tradition, something visitors should be prepared for and approach with respect. On Maha Navami the Taleju Bhawani temple at Hanuman Dhoka opens to the public, the only day of the year it does so, and many families also bless their vehicles and tools.

Vijaya Dashami: tika, jamara and blessings from elders

The tenth day, Vijaya Dashami, is the emotional centre of the festival. Elders mix rice, yoghurt and red vermilion into tika and press it onto the foreheads of younger relatives, tuck jamara behind their ears and give a blessing, often with a little money called dakshina. Families travel from house to house to receive tika from different elders, and the visits continue for several days until Kojagrat Purnima, the full moon that closes the festival.

Swings, kites, cards and festive food

Dashain has a playful side too. Villages build tall bamboo swings called ping, children fly kites from every rooftop, and families gather for card games late into the night. Food is central: goat curry and other meat dishes for many households, beaten rice, pickles and sweets, and sel roti, the ring-shaped rice bread fried at home for festivals and shared with visiting relatives.

What is Nepal like during Dashain?

In the days before Phulpati, Kathmandu is at its busiest. Markets such as Asan and New Road are packed with shoppers buying new clothes, gifts and food, and long-distance buses and domestic flights fill up as people head home to their villages. Then, around the main festival days, the capital becomes noticeably quieter, with lighter traffic and a gentler pace than usual.

Expect daily life to change. Government offices, banks and many shops close for several days around Phulpati and Vijaya Dashami, and some smaller restaurants shut while their owners celebrate with family. Taxis can be harder to find and fares on long routes are often higher. Tourist areas such as Thamel and Lakeside in Pokhara stay largely open, and the main heritage squares remain accessible, but it pays to check opening days for museums and smaller sites in advance.

Where to discover Nepal's culture during Dashain

Kathmandu: temples, heritage sites and city life

The capital is the best place to feel the festival's atmosphere. Kathmandu Durbar Square, with Hanuman Dhoka at its centre, is the focus of Phulpati and Maha Navami. Pashupatinath Temple on the Bagmati River, Boudhanath Stupa and Swayambhunath on its hilltop are busy with worshippers and families, and all belong to the Kathmandu Valley World Heritage Site, inscribed by UNESCO in 1979.

Patan: Newari heritage and traditional architecture

Across the Bagmati River, Patan Durbar Square is one of the finest collections of Newari architecture in the valley, with the stone Krishna Mandir, carved wooden temples and quiet courtyards behind the square. During Dashain the old city's lanes fill with families visiting relatives and local shrines, giving a glimpse of neighbourhood life.

Bhaktapur: historic streets and cultural experiences

Bhaktapur Durbar Square and the neighbouring Taumadhi Square, home to the five-storey Nyatapola temple, are the backdrop for some of the valley's most traditional festival life. Wander the brick lanes past pottery yards and carved windows, and try juju dhau, the creamy curd Bhaktapur is known for.

Pokhara: lakeside scenery and Himalayan views

Pokhara is Nepal's most relaxed base, and October's clear skies make it ideal. Row across Phewa Lake to the island temple of Tal Barahi, climb to the World Peace Pagoda for the view over the lake, and rise early for sunrise from Sarangkot, when the Annapurna range and Machhapuchhre often stand out sharply on clear post-monsoon mornings.

Combining Dashain with a Himalayan adventure

October is the start of Nepal's main autumn season, with settled weather and some of the year's clearest mountain views, so Dashain pairs naturally with time in the hills. A cultural trip can cover the Kathmandu Valley's heritage sites in two or three days, then fly or drive to Pokhara for lakeside scenery, sunrise viewpoints and gentle walks.

If you want more, add a short trek. The Mardi Himal Trek and the Annapurna Base Camp Trek both start near Pokhara and suit different fitness levels and amounts of leave. Choose your activities by trip length and fitness: five or six days suits culture and scenery, while a week or more leaves room for trekking. Domestic flights and trailhead transport are busiest around Dashain, so lock them in early.

Travel tips for Singapore visitors

When Dashain takes place, and how to plan around it

In 2026, Dashain runs from 11 to 25 October, with Phulpati on 17 October, Maha Ashtami on 18 October, Maha Navami on 20 October and Vijaya Dashami on 21 October. Dashain 2027 is expected to run from around 30 September to 14 October, with tika on about 9 October, but Nepal confirms each year's dates through its official calendar, so check them before you book. The quietest days for sightseeing are usually Vijaya Dashami and the day after, while the days just before Phulpati are the busiest for travel within Nepal.

October weather and what to wear

October brings the end of the monsoon, clear skies and dry days. Kathmandu is typically warm in the afternoon and cool in the early morning and evening, and Pokhara is milder, while hill viewpoints such as Sarangkot and Nagarkot can be chilly before sunrise. Coming from Singapore, pack light layers, a fleece or light jacket, comfortable walking shoes and clothing that covers shoulders and knees for temple visits.

Flights from Singapore

Singapore Airlines flies nonstop between Changi and Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport, about five hours. On recent schedules SQ442 leaves Changi at about 18:50 and lands at about 21:30 Nepal time, and SQ441 returns late at night, landing at Changi early the next morning. Dashain is peak season and many Nepalis abroad fly home for it, so book international and domestic flights early. Singapore passport holders can get a tourist visa on arrival, from US$30 for 15 days, paid in US dollars. Check in early at Changi Airport and there is time to walk through Jewel Changi Airport and its Rain Vortex before the evening departure.

Etiquette, photography and temple visits

Dashain is a family and religious festival, so be a considerate guest. Ask before photographing people, especially during tika or worship, and do not photograph sacrifices if you are uncomfortable or unwelcome. Remove your shoes where asked, walk clockwise around stupas and temples, and note that some Hindu temples, including the main shrine at Pashupatinath, admit only Hindus. If a family offers you tika, accept it with your head slightly bowed and thank them.

Attraction availability and advance bookings

Most outdoor heritage sites stay open, but museums, offices and some shops close on the main holiday days, and hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara fill quickly in October. Plan sightseeing around the closures, keep cash for small purchases when banks are shut, and book hotels, guides and transport well ahead so the festival works for you rather than against you.

A suggested 5-day Nepal cultural itinerary for Dashain

Day 1: Arrive in Kathmandu. Fly from Changi on the evening flight, land around 21:30, transfer to your hotel and rest.

Day 2: Explore Kathmandu and Patan. Visit Kathmandu Durbar Square and Swayambhunath in the morning, then cross to Patan for its Durbar Square and Newari courtyards, ending at Boudhanath as pilgrims circle the stupa at dusk.

Day 3: Discover Bhaktapur. Spend the day in Bhaktapur's squares and lanes, try juju dhau, and watch the festival life of a living medieval town.

Day 4: Travel to Pokhara. Take the short domestic flight of about 25 minutes, then spend the afternoon on Phewa Lake and at the World Peace Pagoda.

Day 5: Himalayan scenery and departure. Watch sunrise from Sarangkot, fly back to Kathmandu and connect to the late-night flight home to Singapore.

Discover Nepal with HSJ Travel

HSJ Travel plans premium Nepal journeys for travellers from Singapore, with 4-star hotels, a dedicated guide and an air-conditioned vehicle with a professional driver, arranged for your own party on dates you choose. Around Dashain we can shape the itinerary around the festival days, the closures and your leave. Kathmandu Heritage & Cultural Immersion covers the valley in five days, The Art of Nepal adds Bandipur and Pokhara in seven, and Nepal's Cultural Legacy continues to Lumbini in nine. You can see all of them in our Culture & Heritage collection.

Sources

• UNESCO World Heritage Centre: Kathmandu Valley
• Nepal Tourism Board
• Department of Immigration, Nepal: tourist visa fees

Festival dates follow Nepal's official national calendar for 2026. Flight times are from Singapore Airlines' recent published schedules and can change, so check them before you book.