The short answer
Food follows the calendar. Dashain brings goat meat and sel roti, Tihar brings sweets, fruit and special breads, Janai Purnima brings kwati soup, Yomari Punhi brings yomari dumplings, and Teej brings feasts and fasting. Families share a meal and visit each other, so festival season is a good time to be invited to a home.
If you travel in festival months, check restaurant hours since many shops close on main days.
Key facts
- Dashain
- Goat, sel roti
- Tihar
- Sweets, fruit
- Janai Purnima
- Kwati
- Yomari Punhi
- Yomari
How it works
- Check the calendarSee the festival calendar.
- Plan mealsSome restaurants close.
- Try seasonal dishesAsk what is special.
- Visit a home if invitedBring a small gift.
- Respect fastingSome days are fasts.
Insider tip
Accept an invitation if offered; it is a warm welcome.
Avoid this
Do not plan on shops being open on the main festival day.
Related questions
When is Dashain?
It shifts yearly with the lunar calendar.
Do restaurants open?
Tourist ones usually do.
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