Dashain is the longest and most important festival in Nepal, and in 2026 its climactic day — Vijaya Dashami — falls on Wednesday, October 21, 2026. Watch the time tick down on our live Dashain countdown.
When is Dashain 2026?
Dashain spans 15 days in the lunar month of Ashwin. In 2026 it begins with Ghatasthapana on October 11 and runs through to Kojagrat Purnima on October 25, with the great Tika day, Vijaya Dashami, on October 21. Because the festival follows Nepal's Bikram Sambat calendar, the Gregorian dates shift each year — in 2027 Vijaya Dashami falls earlier, on October 9.
The key days of Dashain
- Ghatasthapana (Oct 11) — barley seeds are sown to grow the sacred yellow jamara.
- Phulpati (Oct 17) — sacred flowers and plants are brought into the home.
- Maha Ashtami & Maha Navami (Oct 18 & 20) — the most intense days of worship of the goddess Durga.
- Vijaya Dashami / Tika (Oct 21) — elders bless younger relatives with red tika and jamara.
- Kojagrat Purnima (Oct 25) — the full-moon night that closes the festival.
What does Dashain celebrate?
Dashain marks the goddess Durga's victory over the demon Mahishasura — the triumph of good over evil. Above all it is a homecoming: families travel from across Nepal and around the world to reunite, fly kites, swing on tall bamboo linge ping, and receive blessings from their elders. The Tika of rice, yoghurt and vermilion, pressed onto the forehead with strands of jamara, is the festival's most cherished moment.
Count down to Dashain
Open the live Dashain 2026 countdown for the exact days remaining, explore more festival countdowns from around the world, or create your own countdown to share with family.