Top 5 Dashain-Tihar Travel Destinations for Nepali Families: Tips and Tricks.

Guru Travels Limited 13 July 2025

Nepal comes alive during Dashain and Tihar, the country's most cherished festivals. These celebrations paint our cities and villages with vibrant colors, twinkling lights, and the warmth of family gatherings. Dashain honors the victory of good over evil through sacred rituals and family reunions, while Tihar illuminates homes with oil lamps and resonates with traditional Deusi-Bhailo songs.

These festivals hold deep cultural significance for Nepali families:

• Traditional tika ceremonies strengthen family bonds

• Exchange of blessings and gifts nurture relationships

• Elaborate feasts bring families together

• Ancient customs pass down through generations

The timing of Dashain-Tihar (September-November) creates perfect conditions for family travel:

• Clear autumn skies offer stunning mountain views

• Pleasant temperatures ideal for outdoor activities

• Peak season for wildlife viewing

• Cultural events and festivities across the country

You can blend traditional celebrations with exciting travel experiences:

Start your day with temple visits

• Explore natural wonders in the afternoon

• Participate in local festivities by evening

• Create lasting memories through shared adventures

This guide reveals the best destinations where your family can experience Nepal's rich cultural heritage while discovering its natural treasures during these auspicious festivals.

Understanding Dashain and Tihar Festivals

Dashain and Tihar are Nepal's most beloved festivals, each with its own unique rituals and celebrations that bring families together in meaningful ways.

•  Jamara Planting: Families plant sacred barley seeds on the first day (Ghatasthapana), symbolizing new beginnings

• Tika Ceremonies: Elders apply red tika mixed with rice and jamara to younger family members' foreheads, bestowing blessings

•  Dakshina Exchange: A tradition where elders gift money to younger relatives, symbolizing prosperity and good fortune

• Family Feasts: Special meals featuring traditional dishes like sel roti and masu-bhat bring extended families together

Each day of Tihar honors different deities and relationships

Kaag Tihar: Worship of crows

Kukur Tihar: Celebration of dogs

Gai Tihar & Laxmi Puja: Honoring cows and the goddess of wealth

Govardhan Puja: Worship of oxen 

Bhai Tika: Sacred brother-sister ceremony

During Tihar, various cultural activities take place:

• Deusi-Bhailo: Traditional songs performed by groups visiting homes, receiving treats and blessings

• Home Decoration: Houses adorned with oil lamps, candles, and colorful rangoli patterns

• Community Gatherings: Local fairs and cultural programs bringing neighborhoods together

These festivals foster family connections through

 Annual reunions where distant relatives travel home

 Multi-generational participation in religious ceremonies

Shared preparation of festival foods and decorations

Evening card games and cultural entertainment

Dashain and Tihar create lasting memories through shared experiences, strengthening family bonds while preserving cultural heritage. The combination of religious rituals, family traditions, and community celebrations makes this period uniquely special in Nepali culture.