4th Apr, 2025

Festivals in the Everest Region

- Magnificent Himalayan Treks

Nepal has many trekking destinations like Everest, Manaslu, Annapurna Circuit. It just not has the places on display but also portrays the rich insights of natural and cultural dimensions. 

On this blog, let’s see the festivals that are celebrated in the Everest Region  and Khumbu below:

Mani Rimdu

Mani Rimdu is one of the significant local festivals observed in the Everest region. This significant Himalayan festival is observed for 19 days after the sacred rituals and ceremonies. 

The last 3 days of the festival are then allotted for public display. Observing this festival is a wonderful way to gain insight about  local Sherpa and Tibetan people.

Mani Rimdu is the festival of re-enactment of the mythological occurrence of the arrival of Buddhism in Tibet by the great master Guru Rinpoche (also called Padmasambhava). 

The rituals and dances are performed by the monks in order to defeat the symbolic demons and expel them from the world through positive energy.

It is said that this festival in the Buddhist societies began sometime from 1907 to 1910. It then spread to the Solukhumbu area around 1940. Since then, it has been a grand festival in the area.

It is said that during the migration of Sherpas from Tibet to the Nepal Himalayas, this festival was brought into the Everest area by Lama Sangwa Dorje. He was the founder of Pangboche Monastery.

Following the rituals and ceremonies towards the close of the festival, masked dances called 'Cham' are performed by the monks and the public are blessed by Guru.

 The festival falls in October or November according to the Tibetan Lunar Calendar System.

Dashain Tihar

Dashain and Tihar are the two other big festivals of the Hindu nation. These are celebrated by the people of the Himalayas.

These two festivals are autumn season events and usually fall in the months of October and November according to the Lunar Calendar System. 

Dashain is a 15-day festival and every single day of this festival is beautiful in its own way.

 As per Hindu mythology, Dashain is also celebrated to mark the triumph of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishaasura.

Family members reunite to enjoy this great festival and receive a Red Tika on the forehead from the elder as the blessing of Goddess Durga. Individuals also offer something to the goddess and worship her in a grand manner.

The colourful environment provides a good feel during the festival.

Kite flying, holidaying with family and friends, and consuming delicious foods are the traditional methods of enjoying the festival in a proper manner.

Like Dashain, Tihar is also one of the major festivals in the country that also lasts for 5 days. This festival is solely the celebration of human relations, the gratitude towards the animals and the worship of Goddess Laxmi, the goddess of wealth.

The first day of the festival honors the crow as the messenger of death (God Yama).

The second day is followed by the dog (gatekeeper of God Yama), third by the cow (Holy Vahana of Goddess Laxmi), the fourth is ox worship day (Govardhan Puja) and the fifth is Bhai Tika (sibling worship).

The whole nation celebrates with lights during this festival and the valleys resound with the songs of Deusi and Vailo (traditional singing and dancing ritual).

Tibetan New Year

Tibetan New Year or Lhosar is one of the biggest local festivals that are celebrated in Everest region among Himalayan societies. The Tamang, Gurung, and Sherpa ethnic communities predominantly celebrate this festival in the country. Though, each one of the communities celebrates the new year festival at different times of the year.

The festival is celebrated by following a series of cultural rituals that have long-standing connections with Tibetan Buddhism. Likewise, traditional dances are done, prayers are made and new year greetings are shared among the family and friends.

The family come together to celebrate the new year and make traditional foods such as momo (dumplings) and thukpa (noodle soup) that are a must for the celebration.

On the day of Lhosar, Tamang, Gurung and Sherpa community members put on traditional dresses, go to monasteries and celebrate together. The festival of the new year is of great cultural importance in the concerned communities.

 People gather with their families, thank the past year and wish for happiness and prosperity in the new year during the festival.

The origin story of Lhosar are centuries old and can be linked with the pre-Buddhist Bon customs and Tibetan Buddhism practices.

This beautiful celebration includes cultural and spiritual for the Himalayan communities.

Dumje Festival

Dumje is another amazing local festivals observed in Everest region. This festival marks the birth of the famous guru of Tibetan Buddhism, Guru Rinpoche.

Guru Rinpoche is said to have been born from a lotus; so he is also known as 'Padmasambhava', meaning 'born from a lotus'.

Guru Rinpoche is said to have lived in the 8th century and is credited with introducing Tibetan Buddhism practices in Nepal. This great cultural festival is celebrated after approximately two months at the end of the spring season.

The festival is three-day and the Lamas perform dance rituals and pray while celebrating the event. The festival is family and community-oriented cultural celebration within Sherpa communities. Because the point of attention remains the collective spirit of the community, major towns and villages within the area organize the festival. For the organization of the festival, families who host the festival are chosen to provide food and drinks.

To mark the beginning of the festival, a flagpole is erected at the village monastery. Villagers gather around the monastery to help host families with support. The following day, worship and gathering at the monastery is performed to welcome head monk 'Rinpoche'.

Then, as the celebrations proceed further at the big stops like Namche Bazaar, Tengboche, Pangboche and Khumjung, the monks perform the masked dance 'Cham'. This dance, performed in traditional attires and sword in hand is done to ward off evil spirits from the village.

At the end of the Dumje Festival, the head monk gives blessings to the villagers and the hosting family for the next year are chosen

Buddha Jayanti

Buddha Jayanti to celebrate the birthday of Lord Buddha is of profound religious importance in the country. Born in Lumbini, Nepal, around 563 BCE, Siddhartha Gautama renounced his royal life to pursue the path to enlightenment.

He eventually acquired the knowledge he sought under the Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya, India when he came to be known as Lord Buddha. He was born to the royal Shakya clan of Lumbini and renounced all to seek enlightenment.

This is thus why this festival is celebrating his birth and life. The significant Buddhist sites in Nepal and the world over celebrate the birthday of Lord Buddha in the most extravagant way.

Among Sherpa communities who have cultural links with Tibetan Buddhism, this festival is very important.

During this profound local festivals celebrated in Everest region, locals swarm renowned monasteries and worship Lord Buddha.

Nepalese people observe this festival in the month of May according to the Lunar Calendar System.

On Lord Buddha's birthday, the followers also illuminate butter lamps, which symbolize the dispelling of darkness and ignorance, and propagating positive energy and mindfulness.

The monks at the monasteries recite Buddhist scriptures ritualistically and the monasteries are spiritually charged during the festival.

The monks in the monasteries of the Everest area recite mantras and play traditional instruments. Similarly, multi-colored flags are extended along the path and around the monasteries' grounds to spread spiritual blessings.

The towns and villages across the country on the holy day of Buddha Jayanti organize parades where the devotees carry the statue of Lord Buddha and march with prayers, chants, and traditional music.

Lhosar variations (Gyalpo Losar)

Gyalpo Loshar is the biggest festival of the Everest region. Sherpa New Year is the name given to this new year celebration which is celebrated across the Sherpa settlements in the region.

Sherpa New Year falls in February or March, depending on the Tibetan Lunar Calendar System.

It goes as per ancient legend. Lhosar has been commemorated first when an old lady named Belma learned about time measurement after she stumbled upon the lunar cycles.

Local springs were visited by people in the traditional sense to pray and give thanks to the water spirits and Nagas and give smoke offerings to the nature spirits.

The festive celebration used to extend to a complete month until one arrived at the day of the new year.

In the present scenario, this festival is celebrated for almost two week following the gal of lunar phase from the Falgun Shukla Pratipada.

This festive social celebration revolves around food, atmosphere of celebration, and family. Fried pastry named Khapse', normally eaten during the festival, initiates the Gyalpo Loshar.

Two days before the start of the festival, the Sherpa families also get together to have a soup named 'Gurung', which is prepared from nine types of beans.

On new year's eve, the home is cleaned and adorned by the family and at midnight, family members and friends wish one another with the traditional 'Tashi Delek' to usher in the new year.

Traditionally, the Sherpa family puts in new Dhoja or prayer flags at home which symbolizes the new start of the new year.
The exclusive beverage called Changkol (made with Chaang) is precious in this celebration.

Sherpa indigenous people offer prayers, dance and sing while celebrating this event to greet the beginning of a new stage of life.

Exploring Khumbu’s Iconic Events: Festivals

The Khumbu Region is not only famous for its breathtaking trekking routes to Mt. Everest but also for its vibrant local festivals that showcase the vibrancy of the cultural heritage of the region. Some of the popular events of this region are:

Tenzing-Hillary Everest Marathon

The Everest Marathon is a challenging and distinctive race held in this Region, attracting brave runners from all over the world.

It is renowned for its unconventional location and extreme weather conditions, making it one of the most exciting marathons on earth.

The marathon typically takes place every May, a few weeks prior to the climbing season being at its peak on Mount Everest.

Everest Marathon begins at the Everest Base Camp at an altitude of approximately 5,364 meters (17,598 feet) and concludes in Namche Bazaar town at an altitude of approximately 3,440 meters (11,286 feet).

It is approximately 42 kilometres (26.2 miles) in total.

It acts to challenge the runners with an altitude race and to offer to them the breathtaking views of the Everest region.

For those willing to take the plunge, it guarantees an experience that will be remembered and life-changing.

Everest International Mountain Film Festival

Everest International Mountain Film Festival is highly acclaimed film festival that showcases those films that define the spirit of mountaineering, adventure, and Himalayan terrain.

The Everest International Mountain Film Festival is an exciting celebration of adventure and mountaineering film.

It gives a unique opportunity to experience the grandeur and challenges of the Himalayas as perceived by film producers from around the world.

By its diversified film screenings, reflective debates, and cultural activities, the EIMFF provides a platform of narration, bridging, and awareness-raising about the Himalayan mountains and issues they have to confront.

Everest Summit Day Celebrations

Everest Summit Day is the peak of mountaineering achievement and a milestone in history for climbers who reach the top of the world's highest peak.

The celebrations that accompany a successful summit are rich and exhilarating, the fruit of hard preparation, dedication, and perseverance.

This day is being observed to relish the victory and to respect the toil that went into reaching the top, to acknowledge the personal triumph,

And also share the happiness with fellow climbers and team members and celebrate the victory with them and also those who patronized and followed their trail.

Everest Base Camp Trekking Season

Choosing a suitable season for the Everest Base Camp Trek is crucial for an enjoyable and successful trekking adventure.

Spring and autumn are the best weather and trail conditions seasons and therefore the optimum times for treks.

Winter and monsoon seasons, however, present special challenges and may require special preparation.

Best time to undertake trekking is Spring and Autumn when the weather becomes consistent with clear skies, pleasant temperatures, and minimal or no chance of rain.

Monsoon and winter are seasons not ideal to go trekking.

Winter has very low weather, snowfall and icing over the trails, and more risk involved with weather.

You will probably have heavy rainfalls, wet and slippery trails, and more risk generated by natural forces during monsoon.

Conclusion

The Everest region stands as a remarkable blend of natural wonders and cultural richness.

Festivals like Dashain, Tihar, and Mani Rimdu invite travellers to experience the spiritual heart of the region, offering glimpses into the customs and traditions of the local communities.

Sherpa New Year and Gyalpo Loshar celebrate the vibrant heritage of the Sherpa people, bringing together locals and visitors in a joyous celebration.

Meanwhile, adventure events like the Tenzing-Hillary Everest Marathon Marathon showcase the region’s spirit of endurance and exploration.

By aligning your visit with these festivals or events, you’ll not only explore the majestic mountains but also connect with the traditions that have shaped life in the Himalayas for centuries.

This cultural immersion elevates an already extraordinary journey, making every adventure in the Khumbu region unforgettable and truly meaningful.

For any trek or activity-related inquiries,Magnificent Himalayan Treks anytime. Our team is available 24/7 to assist you and ensure your adventure is seamless.