If you have Nepali friends, colleagues, or neighbours in Ireland, you’ll notice something shifts every autumn — video calls home get longer, group chats get busier, and there’s a quiet excitement in the air. That’s Dashain and Tihar season.
Dashain — Nepal’s biggest festival
Dashain is Nepal’s longest and most important festival, running 15 days and marking the victory of good over evil — specifically, the goddess Durga’s triumph over the demon Mahishasura. In 2026, it runs from October 11 to 21.
The festival begins with Ghatasthapana, when families plant barley seeds in a dark corner of the house. Over the following days, the shoots grow into jamara — pale yellow-green sprouts that become part of the festival’s central blessing ritual.
The festival begins with Ghatasthapana, when families plant barley seeds in a dark corner of the house. Over the following days, the shoots grow into jamara — pale yellow-green sprouts that become part of the festival’s central blessing ritual.
The festival builds to Vijaya Dashami (Tika day), the most important day: elders place a mixture of red tika and jamara on the foreheads of younger family members, along with blessings for health and success. For Nepalis abroad, this is often the hardest day to be away from family — many will gather with whoever’s nearby in Ireland to recreate the ritual together.
Tihar — the festival of lights
Coming just a couple of weeks after Dashain, Tihar (2026: roughly November 6–11, dates can shift slightly by source) is Nepal’s version of Diwali — five days honouring different relationships and beings, one per day: crows, dogs, cows, oxen, and finally, on the last day, the bond between brothers and sisters (Bhai Tika). Homes are decorated with oil lamps and rangoli patterns, and it’s considered one of the most visually beautiful festivals in the Nepali calendar.
If you know someone celebrating in Ireland
A simple “Happy Dashain” or “Shubh Dashain” message means a lot to Nepali friends and colleagues during this period — many are away from family during the year’s most family-centered holiday. If you’re curious to experience it, local Nepali community groups (like NRNA Ireland) often organise gatherings around Tika day — worth asking a Nepali friend or checking community WhatsApp/Facebook groups if you’d like to join in.
For the Nepali community in Ireland
If you’re marking these festivals away from home this year, know you’re not alone — and if you’d like to share how you celebrate in Ireland, or know of a community gathering others should hear about, get in touch and we’ll help spread the word.
