Tihar arrives about three weeks after Dashain and has a gentler, brighter feel. The first day, Kag Tihar, honours crows with food left on rooftops. The second, Kukur Tihar, is the day visitors remember: dogs across Kathmandu, pets and strays alike, are given marigold garlands, a red tika and a good meal in thanks for their loyalty. The third morning is Gai Tihar, when cows are worshipped, and that evening is Laxmi Puja, when households clean, paint rangoli patterns at the door and light rows of oil lamps to welcome the goddess of wealth.
On Laxmi Puja night and the nights that follow, groups of children and young people go house to house singing bhailo and deusi songs in return for money and sweets, and Kathmandu's alleys are lit with lamps and electric strings. The fourth day includes Govardhan Puja and, for the Newar community, Mha Puja, a ritual of self-worship that also marks the Nepal Sambat new year with parades through Kathmandu. The last day, Bhai Tika, sees sisters give their brothers seven-coloured tika and garlands of makhamali flowers.
Tihar is an easy festival to enjoy as a visitor. The weather is usually clear and dry, Kathmandu and Patan look their best after dark on Laxmi Puja, and there are fewer closures than at Dashain. Indian visitors who celebrate Diwali at home often find the overlap with Tihar dates a reason to travel, so we suggest booking hotels early.
Tips
- Walk through Asan, Indra Chowk or Patan's lanes after 7 pm on Laxmi Puja for the best lamp displays.
- Kukur Tihar is a good day for photographs of garlanded dogs; ask owners before photographing pets close up.
- Tihar often overlaps Diwali, so Indian travellers should book hotels and flights two months ahead.
Questions travellers ask
Is Tihar the same as Diwali?
Tihar and Diwali are closely related and fall in the same lunar period, with Laxmi Puja at the centre of both. Tihar is longer, five days, and has distinctly Nepali elements: worship of crows, dogs and cows, deusi-bhailo carol singing, the Newar Mha Puja and New Year, and Bhai Tika between brothers and sisters on the final day.
When is Tihar in 2026?
Tihar falls around the new moon of Kartik, usually late October or early November, roughly three weeks after Dashain. In 2026 Laxmi Puja is expected in early November. Exact dates are fixed by Nepal's calendar each year, so check current status before you travel. We confirm dates when we finalise your package.
What is Kukur Tihar?
Kukur Tihar is the second day of Tihar, dedicated to dogs. Families put a marigold garland and a red tika on their dogs and feed them meat, eggs or treats, and many people do the same for street dogs. Nepal Police dogs also receive a ceremony. It is one of the most photographed days of the festival.
Where is the best place to see Tihar lights in Kathmandu?
The old trading lanes of Asan and Indra Chowk, the area around Kathmandu Durbar Square and Patan's Mangal Bazaar look best on Laxmi Puja night, with oil lamps on steps and windows. Bhaktapur is quieter but very atmospheric. Go after 7 pm, walk with a guide in the narrow lanes, and watch for firecrackers.
