The Ultimate Guide to Dashain 2026: Tika Timings, Rituals & Traditions in Nepal

Dashain is Nepal’s largest and most important festival, celebrated across the country with deep devotion, family reunions, feasts, and vibrant customs. In 2026, millions of Nepalis will observe this 15-day celebration that symbolizes the triumph of good over evil, strengthens family bonds, and honors tradition and heritage.

This complete guide breaks down the Dashain 2026 schedule, tika timings, essential rituals, traditional customs, foods, travel tips, and insights to help you make the most of Nepal’s most beloved festival.

Dashain 2026 – Dates & Overview

Dashain in 2026 spans 15 days from Sunday, October 11 to Monday, October 26.

Key Dates (2026):

Day Nepali Name Gregorian Date Significance

Dashain Tika Day (Vijaya Dashami), when elders apply tika and jamara to younger relatives, falls on October 21, 2026—and is also a public holiday across Nepal.

Note: Festival days follow the Nepali lunar calendar (Bikram Sambat), so rituals are tied to auspicious timings and traditions rather than fixed solar dates.

Understanding Dashain – What It Means

Dashain celebrates the victory of Goddess Durga over demon Mahishasura, symbolizing good’s triumph over evil and the divine feminine’s protective power.

It’s also a time of:

Family reunions and blessings
Sharing meals, sweets, and hospitality
Visiting relatives near and far
Wearing new clothes and exchanging gifts

In cities like Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur, Pokhara, and Chitwan, streets, homes, and temples are adorned with garlands and festive lights, while communities organize cultural programs, swings (ping), and kite-flying activities.

Dashain Tika Day – Date & Most Auspicious Time (2026)

The most anticipated moment of Dashain is Vijaya Dashami (Tika Day) when elders bless younger family members with tika and jamara.

📅 Date: Wednesday, October 21, 2026
🕚 Auspicious Tika Timing: 11:53 AM (Nepali Time) — many families follow this time to receive blessings and sitting tika from elders.

Note: Traditional astrologers may suggest slight regional variations for auspicious moments, but the mid-day window around 11:30–12:00 PM is widely observed for tika in Nepal.

15 Days of Dashain — Rituals & Traditions Explained

Day 1 – Ghatasthapana (Oct 11)

Dashain begins with Ghatasthapana, when families plant barley seeds (jamara) in a sacred pot (kalash) inside the home or courtyard. These sprouts are nurtured for the festival and used later during tika.

Days 2–6 – Worship & Preparations

During these days:

Daily prayers and offerings are made.
Houses are cleaned and decorated.
Families prepare traditional foods and get ready for the main celebrations.

Day 7 – Fulpati (Oct 18)

Sacred flowers, fruits, jamara, and other religious items are ceremonially brought into homes—a key symbolic moment of Dashain.

Days 8–9 – Maha Ashtami & Maha Navami (Oct 18–20)

These are days of intense worship and offerings. People may perform special pujas at home or in temples, and many communities observe Ayudha Puja on Navami—worshiping tools, vehicles, and symbolic instruments to bless them for the year ahead.

Day 10 – Vijaya Dashami / Tika Day (Oct 21)

This is the highlight of Dashain. Elders put tika and jamara on the foreheads of younger family members and offer blessings, wishes for prosperity, and dakshina (monetary gifts).

Days 11–14 – Family Visits & Feasts

After tika, families continue visiting relatives and neighbors, sharing gifts, meals, cultural performances, and enjoying Nepal’s festive atmosphere.

Day 15 – Kojagrat Purnima (Oct 26)

Dashain concludes with Laxmi Puja at night, where families pray for prosperity and awaken all night with lamps lit—a symbolic offering to Goddess Laxmi.

Dashain Customs & Cultural Highlights

Tika & Jamara Ritual

Tika (a mixture of rice, yogurt, and vermilion) and jamara (holy barley grass) are central symbols of Dashain blessings. Elders apply tika and give dakshina to younger relatives—a gesture of love, protection, and good fortune.

Kite Flying & Swing (Ping)

Across Nepal, especially in villages and city outskirts, people fly kites and build giant bamboo swings (ping)—activities that symbolize joy, freedom, and community bonding during Dashain.

Traditional Festive Foods

Dashain is also a time to enjoy beloved Nepali dishes:

Sel Roti (sweet rice bread)
Goat & buffalo curries
Gundruk & aloo-tama (fermented greens with potato and bamboo)
Sweets like laddu, barfi, and kheer

Practical Tips for Celebrating Dashain in 2026

Travel & Family Planning

Dashain is one of Nepal’s most popular travel periods—many city dwellers return to their hometowns. Book transport tickets, accommodations, and logistics early to avoid last-minute hassles.

Budget & Gifting

Festival expenses often include:

Tika & jamara materials
New clothes
Gifts for relatives
Feasts and traditional meals
Plan your Dashain budget ahead of time to enjoy stress-free celebrations.

Safety & Public Holidays

Dashain brings multiple public holidays across Nepal around Oct 19–22, 2026, giving extended time to celebrate with loved ones.

FAQ – Dashain 2026 in Nepal

Q: When is Dashain celebrated in Nepal in 2026?
Dashain starts on October 11 and runs until October 26, 2026.

Q: What is the main day for tika?
The main Vijaya Dashami / Tika Day falls on October 21, 2026, with auspicious tika time around 11:53 AM.

Q: Do all Nepali communities celebrate Dashain?
Dashain is widely observed among Hindus across Nepal, though practices may vary regionally and by family tradition.

Q: What does tika symbolize?
Tika represents blessings, protection, prosperity, and familial respect from elders to younger relatives.

The Ultimate Guide to Dashain 2026: Tika Timings, Rituals & Traditions