Tihar garland markets of Kathmandu

What it is

Tihar is Nepal's festival of lights, held over five days in October or November. Crows, dogs, cows and oxen are honoured in turn, then the goddess Lakshmi, and on the last day sisters bless their brothers. Every one of these needs garlands. Marigold, called sayapatri, is strung in thick orange ropes for doors, animals and people. The purple globe amaranth, makhamali, is made into garlands for brothers because it does not wilt, a wish for long life. In the days before, the old market streets around Asan and Indra Chok are lined with sellers and their heaps of flowers.

Before you go

• Check the Tihar dates for the year. They follow the lunar calendar.
• Walk through Asan in the morning, when garland sellers set up.
• After dark, look for oil lamps and coloured floor patterns at doorways.

The flowers you will see

Aztec marigoldThe golden-yellow flower of Mexican altars and Day of the Dead offeringsChrysanthemumAutumn-blooming flower with thousands of varieties, cherished in East Asia and beyond

Also part of it, and being written: Gomphrena globosa.

More in Nepal

🇳🇵 Pokhara · Mar to AprGhorepani rhododendron forest trekA short Annapurna trek through forests of Nepal's national flower, the red tree rhododendron.