Sorha Shraddha—also called Pitru Paksha—is a sixteen-day fortnight to honor ancestors with tarpan (water libations) and shraddha (offerings). Families perform rites on the specific lunar tithi of their departed and share satvik meals.

What is it?

Scriptures state that offerings made with faith—rice balls (pinda), black sesame and water—reach forebears in the ancestral realm, removing pitra-rin (ancestral debt) and blessing descendants with peace and prosperity.

Legend & Significance

<ol><li>Purnima Shraddha (7 Sep 2025): Opening observance for those who passed on Purnima.</li><li>Daily Tithis (8–20 Sep): Morning bath, kusha ring, tarpan, pinda offerings and dakshina to Brahmins during Kutup–Aparahna window.</li><li>Sarvapitri Amavasya (21 Sep): Universal day to honor all ancestors; community rites at river ghats.</li></ol>

Ritual Flow

<ul><li>Large gatherings at Bagmati Aryaghat, Guhyeshwari and Bishnumati banks</li><li>Charity and food donations in memory of forebears</li><li>Markets selling kusha, sesame, lota, bamboo plates and satvik groceries</li></ul>

Cultural Highlights

Main hubs (Kathmandu): Pashupatinath Aryaghat, Guhyeshwari, Bishnumati Kankeshwari; many also visit Gokarna. Festival window 2025: 7–21 Sep 2025.

Where & When

Cooked rice mixed with sesame, ghee and honey offered to forebears.

Pinda (Rice Balls)

Black sesame with sanctified water poured while reciting mantras.

Til & Water Tarpan

Simple satvik dishes shared after rites with priests and family.

Khichdi & Kheer

Banana, coconut and sweet lime arranged as prasad.

Seasonal Fruits & Coconut

Starts Sun, 7 Sep 2025 (Purnima Shraddha) · Ends Sun, 21 Sep 2025 (Sarvapitri Amavasya), Kathmandu.

Sorha Shraddha 2025 Calendar & Amavasya

Observe Sorha Shraddha (Pitru Paksha) on 7–21 Sep 2025: daily Shraddha/Tarpan rites; Sarvapitri Amavasya on 21 Sep. What to do & shop in Nepal.

Order rice, black sesame, ghee, barley flour, fruits and satvik meal kits for Shraddha.

Prasad & Fasting Foods for Sorha Shraddha

Everything for Sorha Shraddha—kusha bundles, til, darbha rings, pinda plates, lota and puja kits delivered nationwide.

Sorha Shraddha Essentials: Kusha, Til & Puja Items

Sorha Shraddha 2025 – Dates, Tarpan & Ritual Guide

Watch Bagmati ghats rituals, Guhyeshwari/Pashupati tarpan and evening bhajans across Kathmandu.

Sorha Shraddha Live: Tarpan & Pinda Offerings

Sorha Shraddha (सोह्र श्राद्ध)

Opening day for those whose tithi is Purnima; households begin fortnight rites.

Purnima Shraddha – Start of Sorha Shraddha

Universal offering for all ancestors; major tarpan at river ghats.

Sarvapitri Amavasya – Conclusion

Chhath Parva is a four-day sun-worship festival dedicated to Surya and Chhathi Maiya. Devotees observe austere fasting, purity rites and offer arghya to the setting and rising sun at rivers, ponds and ghats across Nepal’s Terai and Kathmandu Valley.

Texts and folk lore praise Surya as the giver of life and health. Worshippers seek blessings for family well-being, recovery from illness and prosperity. Once undertaken, the vow is traditionally continued annually.

<ol><li>Nahay-Khay (Sat, 25 Oct 2025): Sacred bath; satvik meal of lauki-bhaat begins the vow.</li><li>Kharna/Lohanda (Sun, 26 Oct): Day-long fast; evening kheer-prasad marks the final intake before 36-hour water-fast.</li><li>Sandhya Arghya (Mon, 27 Oct): Sunset offering at ghats with fruits, thekua, sugarcane on bamboo soop.</li><li>Usha Arghya & Parana (Tue, 28 Oct): Sunrise offering; fast concluded with prasad and family blessings.</li></ol>

<ul><li>Illuminated ghats and folk songs along Bagmati (Gaurighat/Kupondole), Kamal Pokhari</li><li>Grand observances in Janakpur (Ganga Sagar) and Birgunj (Ghadiarwa Pond)</li><li>Markets brim with bamboo baskets, sugarcane and seasonal fruits</li></ul>

Main hubs: Janakpur, Birgunj, Biratnagar (Terai); in Kathmandu—Bagmati ghats (Gaurighat/Kupondole), Kamal Pokhari. Festival window 2025: 25–28 Oct 2025. Key offerings: Sandhya Arghya at sunset on 27 Oct; Usha Arghya at sunrise on 28 Oct (Kathmandu timings below).

Crisp wheat/rice-flour cookies with ghee and jaggery offered as main prasad.

Thekua

Bottle-gourd and rice prepared satvik on Nahay-Khay to begin the vow.

Lauki-Bhaat

Simple rice pudding prepared for Kharna, then shared after Usha Arghya.

Kheer-Prasad

Banana, coconut, sweet lime and sugarcane arranged on bamboo soop for offerings.

Seasonal Fruits & Sugarcane

Nahay-Khay: 25 Oct · Kharna: 26 Oct · Sandhya Arghya: 27 Oct (sunset ~17:23 NST) · Usha Arghya: 28 Oct (sunrise ~06:11 NST), Kathmandu.

Chhath 2025 Dates & Arghya Timings

Observe Chhath Parva on 25–28 Oct 2025: Nahay-Khay, Kharna, Sandhya Arghya at sunset and Usha Arghya at sunrise in Kathmandu & Terai—plus essentials to buy.

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Prasad & Fasting Foods for Chhath

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Chhath Essentials: Soop, Diyas, Thekua Mix & Puja Items

Chhath Parva 2025 – Dates, Rituals, Arghya & Shopping Guide

Watch sunset and sunrise offerings, kirtans and ghats from Janakpur, Birgunj and Kathmandu.

Chhath Live: Sandhya & Usha Arghya from Kathmandu/Terai

Chhath Parva (छठ पर्व)

Purification bath and satvik lauki-bhaat to start the vow.

Nahay-Khay

Evening kheer-prasad; 36-hour water-fast begins afterwards.

Kharna / Lohanda

Sunset offering ~17:23 NST in Kathmandu (set 17:23). Gather at ghats with soop, fruits and thekua.

Sandhya Arghya

Sunrise offering ~06:11 NST in Kathmandu (rise 06:11). Fast concludes with prasad.

Usha Arghya & Parana

Indra Jatra—called Yenyā in Nepal Bhasa—is Kathmandu Valley’s grand street festival honouring Indra and featuring the Living Goddess Kumari. Eight days of masked dances, processions and sacred displays fill the old city around Hanuman Dhoka and Indra Chowk.

Myths tell how Indra sought the parijat flower for his mother and was captured in Kathmandu; his release brought promises of rainfall and prosperity. The festival also recalls ancestors and showcases Newa heritage with Bhairav images and nightly hymn singing.

<ol><li>Yosin Thanegu (Pole Raising): The Indra banner-pole is erected at Basantapur to open the festival.</li><li>Main Day & Dances: Pulu Kisi (elephant of Indra), Majipa Lakhey demon dance and Bhairav mask exhibitions.</li><li>Kumari Jatra (3 days): Chariots of Kumari, Ganesh and Bhairav circle the city on routes called Kwaneyā, Thaneyā and Nānichāyā.</li></ol>

<ul><li>Sweta Bhairav and Akash Bhairav mask displays with ceremonial libations</li><li>All-women team pulls Kumari’s chariot on the third day (recent tradition)</li><li>Newa food stalls and night hymns around Indra Chowk and Basantapur</li></ul>

Main venue: Kathmandu Durbar Square (Basantapur), Indra Chowk and Asan routes. Festival window 2025: Early–mid September; main observance on 6 Sep 2025, with chariot days on 6, 7 and 11 Sep.

Classic Newa platter—beaten rice, bara, chhoyla, boiled eggs, pickles and beans.

Samay Baji Set

Roasted-meat spice blend with timur and sesame for authentic festival chhoyla.

Chhoyla Spice Mix

Urad-based pancakes griddled fresh and served with achar.

Bara (Lentil Patties)

Creamy curd and assorted mithai shared after processions.

Juju Dhau & Sweets

Main day: 6 Sep 2025 (Kathmandu). Kumari chariots: 6 Sep (Kwaneyā), 7 Sep (Thaneyā), 11 Sep (Nānichāyā).

Indra Jatra 2025 Dates & Kumari Jatra Schedule

Celebrate Indra Jatra in Kathmandu on 6 Sep 2025: Lakhey & Pulu Kisi dances, Kumari chariot runs and Yosin pole—plus puja kits and street-food picks.

Order samay baji sets, chhoyla spices, chiura, bara mix and sweets for the festival.

Newa Feast & Street Foods for Indra Jatra

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Indra Jatra Essentials: Masks, Puja Kits & Food Hampers

Indra Jatra 2025 – Dates, Kumari Chariot & Shopping Guide

Watch masked dances, Bhairav displays and Kumari’s chariot from Basantapur and Indra Chowk.

Indra Jatra Live: Lakhey, Pulu Kisi & Kumari Processions

Indra Jatra / Yenyā (इन्द्र जात्रा / येँया:)

Opening chariot run through southern route; Lakhey and Pulu Kisi dances in core city.

Indra Jatra Main Day & Kumari Jatra – Kwaneyā

Second chariot procession via northern route up to Asan and back to Basantapur.

Kumari Jatra – Thaneyā

Final mid-town route via Kilagal; festival exhibitions continue into the night.

Kumari Jatra – Nānichāyā

Kushe Aunsi, also called Buwa Ko Mukh Herne Din or Gokarna Aunsi, falls on the dark‑moon day of Bhadra. Families bring home sanctified kusha grass, perform ancestor rites and show reverence to their living fathers with gifts, food and blessings.

Vedic texts hail kusha as a purifier; sages used it for sacrificial seats. Bringing fresh kusha on this day invites protection for the household. Offering water (tarpan) at Gokarna Mahadev grants peace to departed ancestors, while feeding fathers ensures long life and prosperity.

<ol><li>Kush Collection (dawn, 23 Aug 2025): Priests distribute holy grass; households stick a bundle above the main door.</li><li>Tarpan & Shraddha (05:40–10:30 NST): Sons perform water libations at Gokarneshwar or local rivers remembering forefathers.</li><li>Father’s Day Ceremony (mid‑morning): Children touch father’s feet, apply tika, offer sweets, clothes and blessings.</li><li>Family Feast (afternoon): Traditional kheer‑chiura, fruits, meat dishes and laddus shared together.</li></ol>

<ul><li>Mass ancestor rites on the Bagmati at Gokarna Mahadev</li><li>Motiram Bhatta memorial recitations (the poet was born on Kushe Aunsi)</li><li>Gift fairs selling dhaka caps, shawls and sweet hampers for fathers</li></ul>

Main venue: Gokarneshwar Mahadev, Kathmandu (≈120 000 devotees). Other hubs: Pashupatinath Arya Ghat, Swayambhu, Pokhara Bindyabasini and village riverbanks. Festival window 2025: 22–23 Aug 2025.

Sweet rice pudding served with beaten rice and ghee to fathers and priests.

Kheer‑Chiura

Crisp rice‑flour rings offered during morning blessings.

Sel Roti

Bananas, mangoes and pears presented as refreshing prasad.

Seasonal Fruits

Ghee‑rich sweets gifted to fathers for auspiciousness.

Laddu & Peda

Amavasya Tithi: 22 Aug 11 : 58 – 23 Aug 11 : 38 NST · Kush collection & tarpan best 05 : 40 – 10 : 30 NST (Kathmandu).

Kushe Aunsi 2025 Date & Amavasya Tithi

Observe Kushe Aunsi on 23 Aug 2025: fetch sacred kush grass, honour fathers with gifts, offer tarpan at Gokarna and shop essential puja items.

Order ghee, beaten rice, kheer mix, laddus, fruits and other Father’s Day feast items delivered nationwide.

Traditional Foods & Prasad for Kushe Aunsi

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Kushe Aunsi Essentials: Kush Grass, Father’s Gifts & Puja Items

Kushe Aunsi 2025 – Date, Father’s Day Rituals & Shopping Guide

Watch kush‑grass procession, tarpan rites at Gokarneshwar and heartfelt family gatherings streamed from Kathmandu.

Kushe Aunsi Live – Gokarna Shraddha & Family Blessings

Kushe Aunsi (कुशे औंसी / बुवाको मुख हेर्ने दिन)

Kush collection, tarpan and Father’s Day ceremonies till 11 : 38 NST. Family feasts all afternoon.

Kushe Aunsi & Father’s Day

Tithi starts 11 : 58 NST 22 Aug; devotees prepare kusha bundles and offerings overnight.

Amavasya Tithi Begins

Naag Panchami falls on the bright‑half Panchami of Shrawan. Devotees in Nepal revere serpent deities by plastering snake motifs on doorways, offering milk, dubo grass and singing hymns to seek protection from calamities and ensure fertility of land.

Puranic lore speaks of Lord Krishna subduing the venomous Kaliya and of Astika Muni saving serpents from King Janamejaya’s sacrificial fire. Worshipping Naags on this day averts snakebite, heals kaal sarpa dosha and brings rain for bumper harvest.

<ol><li>Door Plastering (dawn, 29 Jul): Cow‑dung paste studded with rice flour snake images on main doorframe.</li><li>Milk Puja (05:41–08:23 NST): Offer milk, honey, turmeric and dubo at serpent shrines such as Nag Pokhari.</li><li>Family Feast (afternoon): Share kheer, fruits and laddus; children display clay snake figurines.</li></ol>

<ul><li>Mass milk‑abhishek at Nag Pokhari, Naxal</li><li>Traditional Naag Naach folk dance in Bhaktapur</li><li>Street stalls selling dubo, clay snakes and herbal anti‑venom charms</li></ul>

Main venue: Nag Pokhari, Naxal, Kathmandu (≈70 000 visitors). Other hubs: Taudaha Lake, Changu Narayan, Siddha Pokhari and valley village serpent shrines. Festival window 2025: 28–29 Jul 2025.

Fresh cow milk poured over snake icons and Shivalinga, then shared as blessed drink.

Milk Offering

Tri‑bladed sacred grass offered to Naags and worn on the ear for protection.

Dubo Grass

Sweet rice pudding flavoured with cardamom and ghee, served after morning puja.

Kheer

Gram‑flour laddus with jaggery and sesame distributed to children and neighbours.

Laddu Prasad

Puja 05:41–08:23 NST on 29 Jul 2025 · Panchami Tithi: 11:24 PM 28 Jul – 12:46 AM 30 Jul (Kathmandu).

Naag Panchami 2025 Date & Puja Muhurat

Celebrate Naag Panchami on 29 Jul 2025: morning snake‑worship puja, milk offering, door‑plaster rites and cultural fairs—plus must‑have puja items.

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Offerings & Prasad for Naag Panchami

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Naag Panchami Essentials: Naag Images, Milk & Puja Items

Naag Panchami 2025 – Date, Rituals & Shopping Guide

Watch snake‑worship rituals, milk abhishek at temples and street performances from Patan and Bhaktapur.

Naag Panchami Live – Milk Abhishek & Folk Songs

Naag Panchami (नाग पञ्चमी)

Snake‑worship, milk offering and door plastering from 05:41–08:23 NST. Cultural fairs all day.

Naag Panchami Puja Day

Panchami Tithi opens 11:24 PM 28 Jul; devotees prepare milk and dubo offerings overnight.

Panchami Tithi Begins

Janai Purnima, also called Raksha Bandhan or Rishi Tarpani, falls on the full-moon of Shrawan. Brahmins and Kshatriyas renew the sacred thread (janai) while priests tie a coloured cotton doro on everyone’s wrist for protection. Families celebrate with sprouted-bean kwati soup and exchange rakhis.

Scriptures relate how Lord Vishnu defeated the demon King Bali by the power of a protective thread. The doro symbolises that safeguard, while the new janai reminds wearers to uphold purity of thought, word and deed.

<ol><li>Thread Preparation (8 Aug 2025): Priests twist fresh cotton strands and sanctify them with Vedic mantras.</li><li>Janai Purnima (9 Aug 2025): Holy dip, Gayatri japa, thread change and doro tying between 05:30–13:39 NST.</li><li>Kwati Feast (9 Aug evening): Nine-bean sprouted soup, dahi-chiura and sweets shared after sunset.</li></ol>

<ul><li>Mass bathing and thread-changing at Kumbheshwar Pokhari, Patan</li><li>Pilgrimage to Gosaikunda alpine lake for sacred dip</li><li>Water-buffalo sacrifice &amp; Deopokhari Jatra in Khokana (day after Purnima)</li></ul>

Main venue: Kumbheshwar Temple, Patan (≈100 000 visitors). Other hubs: Pashupatinath, Gosaikunda, Khokana Deopokhari and Nepali diaspora temples. Festival window 2025: 8–10 Aug 2025.

Hearty soup of nine sprouted beans simmered with spices and ghee.

Kwati Soup

Sanctified yellow-red protection thread tied on the wrist.

Doro Cotton

Curd and beaten rice combo taken after rituals for freshness and energy.

Dahi-Chiura

Sweet flour balls with ghee and cardamom offered to priests and sisters.

Laddu

Thread ceremony 05:30–13:39 NST · Purnima Tithi ends 13:39 NST · Kwati feast evening.

Janai Purnima 2025 Date & Muhurat

Celebrate Janai Purnima on 9 Aug 2025: sacred thread change, doro blessings at Kumbheshwar, Kwati feast and rakhi shopping essentials.

Order nine-bean kwati mix, doro cotton, puri flour and vrat spices delivered nationwide.

Kwati & Fasting Foods for Janai Purnima

Everything for Janai Purnima 2025—sacred threads, doro bracelets, kwati beans, puja kits and gift hampers delivered nationwide.

Janai Purnima Essentials: Janai Threads, Doro & Kwati Beans

Janai Purnima 2025 – Date, Rituals, Doro & Shopping Guide

Watch thread-changing rituals, doro tying and Kwati feast streamed from Patan and Gosaikunda.

Janai Purnima Rituals & Kumbheshwar Live

Janai Purnima (जनै पूर्णिमा)

Replace sacred thread and tie doro 05:30–13:39 NST. Purnima Tithi ends 13:39 NST.

Janai Purnima Thread Ceremony

Enjoy nine-bean kwati soup with ghee and beaten rice after sunset.

Kwati Khane Feast

Krishna Janmashtami marks the midnight birth of Lord Krishna on Bhadraba 8 (Ashtami) and is one of Nepal’s most jubilant Vaishnav festivals. Devotees observe a strict fast, chant Hare Krishna, enact temple dramas and break pots of curd in lively Dahi-Handi games.

The Bhagavata Purana narrates how Krishna appeared in Kansa’s prison, freed his parents and subdued evil. Fasting till midnight symbolises standing with Krishna against ignorance; breaking the fast with butter recalls the divine child’s love for makhan.

<ol><li>Jhulan Yatra (8–15 Aug 2025): Krishna and Radha idols placed on ornate swings for evening kirtans.</li><li>Janmashtami Fast (16 Aug 2025): Devotees bathe pre-dawn, wear yellow or peacock-hued attire and read the Gita.</li><li>Nishita Puja (16 Aug, 23:46 – 00:30 NST): Midnight abhishek, blowing of conch and offering of 56-item chhappan bhog.</li><li>Parana & Nandotsav (17 Aug 2025): Fast broken after 05:35 NST with makhan-mishri; distribution of sweets, temple fairs and Dahi-Handi competitions.</li></ol>

<ul><li>Dahi-Handi pyramids in Kathmandu’s Basantapur and Bhaktapur Taumadhi squares</li><li>12-hour kirtan marathon at ISKCON Budhanilkantha streamed internationally</li><li>Flute-recital contests and children’s fancy-dress as Bal Gopal</li></ul>

Main venue: Patan Krishna Mandir, Durbar Square (≈150 000 visitors). Other hubs: ISKCON Budhanilkantha, Bal Krishna Ashram Teku, Mangalbarey Dham, and Nepali diaspora temples worldwide. Festival window 2025: 15–17 Aug 2025.

Sacred mix of milk, curd, ghee, honey and jaggery used in the midnight abhishek.

Panchamrit

Roasted whole-wheat sweetened crumble with dry fruits—Krishna’s favourite prasad.

Panjiri

Fresh white butter churned with rock sugar crystals; offered at Parana.

Makhan-Mishri

Energy-dense laddus of almond, cashew and dates for post-fast nourishment.

Dry-Fruit Laddu

Fasting & Nishita Puja: 16 Aug 2025 · Parana/Nandotsav: 17 Aug 2025. Includes puja muhurat and sunrise data for Kathmandu.

Janmashtami 2025 Date, Nishita Puja & Parana Time

Celebrate Krishna Janmashtami on 16 Aug 2025: midnight Nishita puja, day-long fast, Dahi-Handi thrills and devotional kirtan—plus shopping essentials.

Order panjiri mix, makhan-mishri, dry fruits, panchamrit ingredients and vrat spices to make Janmashtami special.

Prasad & Fasting Foods for Janmashtami

Everything for Janmashtami 2025—fasting snacks, prayer kits, swings, gifts and grocery hampers delivered nationwide.

Janmashtami Essentials: Bal Gopal Idols, Flutes & Puja Items

Krishna Janmashtami 2025 – Puja Timings, Fast & Shopping Guide

Watch Krishna bhajans, Dahi-Handi highlights and midnight Abhishek from Krishna Mandir.

DiscoverCultural Occasions

Sorha Shraddha (सोह्र श्राद्ध)

Chhath Parva (छठ पर्व)

Indra Jatra / Yenyā (इन्द्र जात्रा / येँया:)

Kushe Aunsi (कुशे औंसी / बुवाको मुख हेर्ने दिन)

Naag Panchami (नाग पञ्चमी)

Janai Purnima (जनै पूर्णिमा)

Krishna Janmashtami (कृष्ण जन्माष्टमी)

Haritalika Teej (हरितालिका तीज)

DiscoverCultural Occasions

Sorha Shraddha (सोह्र श्राद्ध)

Chhath Parva (छठ पर्व)

Indra Jatra / Yenyā (इन्द्र जात्रा / येँया:)

Kushe Aunsi (कुशे औंसी / बुवाको मुख हेर्ने दिन)

Naag Panchami (नाग पञ्चमी)

Janai Purnima (जनै पूर्णिमा)

Krishna Janmashtami (कृष्ण जन्माष्टमी)

Haritalika Teej (हरितालिका तीज)

Kushe Aunsi (कुशे औंसी / बुवाको मुख हेर्ने दिन)