Dashain & Tihar in New Zealand: Nepali Festival Guide

For the growing Nepali community in New Zealand, Dashain and Tihar are two of the strongest connections to home. Families may now live in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Hamilton or elsewhere across the country, but the familiar rituals — jamara, tika, diyas, deusi-bhailo and Bhai Tika — continue to bring people together.

In 2026, the main Dashain period falls in October, with Ghatasthapana on 11 October and Vijaya Dashami on 21 October. Tihar follows in November, broadly across 7–11 November. Exact ritual timing can vary by local lunar calculation, so check the panchang followed by your family or local religious community.

How Nepali festivals change in New Zealand

The traditions remain recognisable, but the logistics are different. Family members may be spread across cities. Important festival days can fall on workdays. Children may have school. Some ingredients and puja items require planning. Community halls and temples often take on the role that a family courtyard or neighbourhood might have played in Nepal.

Rather than seeing these adjustments as a loss, many families create a practical blend: puja at the appropriate time, a larger gathering on the nearest weekend, and video calls that include relatives in Nepal and Australia.

Celebrating Dashain in New Zealand

Start jamara at home on Ghatasthapana if that is part of your family tradition. During the main Dashain days, organise visits so elders are not rushed and younger relatives have time to receive tika and blessings. If your family is small, invite Nepali friends or students who may be spending Dashain away from their own relatives.

For Vijaya Dashami, a simple setup is enough: a clean puja area, tika ingredients, jamara, fruit, sweets and a shared meal. The most valuable part is the blessing and the time spent together.

Celebrating Tihar in New Zealand

Tihar is particularly suited to community celebration. Homes can be decorated with lamps and rangoli, families can organise Laxmi Puja, and children can participate in deusi-bhailo among pre-arranged households.

New Zealand's spring evenings make outdoor gatherings attractive, but the weather can change quickly. If you are planning deusi-bhailo or a community program, have an indoor backup and keep electrical decorations weather-safe.

Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch

Auckland has one of New Zealand's largest Nepali communities, so families often have more opportunities to find cultural programs, community gatherings and other Nepalis nearby. In Wellington and Christchurch, celebrations may feel more close-knit, with community associations and friendship circles playing an important role.

Wherever you live, local Nepali Facebook groups, community organisations and temples are often the best place to check current event details. Avoid relying on an old event page because dates and venues can change from year to year.

What to wear

Dashain and Tihar are ideal occasions for traditional dress, but New Zealand spring weather can move from cool to warm in the same day. Layering helps. Women may choose kurti sets, anarkalis or sarees with a shawl for cooler evenings. Men can pair a kurta with a light jacket if needed. Children benefit from comfortable outfits that allow them to move freely.

If you are travelling between homes, choose an outfit you can comfortably wear for several hours rather than the heaviest option in your wardrobe.

Keeping children connected to Nepali culture

Children remember what they participate in. Ask them to help grow jamara, make rangoli, learn a deusi-bhailo verse, call grandparents for blessings or prepare a small cultural presentation. Explain the meaning behind the ritual rather than treating it as something they simply have to do.

Frequently asked questions

Is Dashain celebrated by Nepalis in New Zealand?

Yes. Nepali families and community groups across New Zealand continue to celebrate Dashain through home rituals, tika gatherings and cultural events.

When is Dashain 2026 in New Zealand?

Ghatasthapana falls on 11 October and Vijaya Dashami on 21 October 2026. Confirm exact puja timing locally if your family follows a specific panchang.

When is Tihar 2026 in New Zealand?

The main Tihar period is expected across 7–11 November 2026, with exact observances depending on local calendar calculations.

Tradition can travel

Migration changes the setting, not the value of a tradition. A Dashain tika in Auckland or a Tihar diya in Christchurch can carry the same message as it does in Nepal: family, gratitude, blessing, belonging and connection.