Quick answer: Dashain is Nepal’s largest and most significant festival, celebrating family reunion, the tika blessing, and cash gifts from elders. In 2026, the main celebrations are expected to fall in late September, following the Nepali lunar calendar. Nepali and Gurkha communities across the UK, including in Aldershot, Farnborough, Ashford, and Plumstead, mark the occasion with gatherings and temple events. Dashain is also one of the busiest times of the year for money transfers to Nepal, so planning ahead matters.
For Nepali families living in the UK, Dashain is more than a date on the calendar. It’s a chance to reconnect with loved ones, honour tradition, and celebrate identity, even thousands of miles from home. Whether you’re marking the festival at a local temple in Ashford or sending blessings and support to family in Kathmandu, understanding the timing and customs of Dashain can help you celebrate it well.
This guide covers when Dashain 2026 falls, what the festival represents, how it’s celebrated within UK-based Nepali communities, and what to keep in mind if you’re sending money to Nepal during this period.
When is Dashain 2026?
Dashain follows the Nepali lunisolar calendar, which means its Gregorian calendar dates shift each year. The festival typically falls between September and October. Based on this pattern, Dashain 2026 is expected to begin in mid-to-late September, with Vijaya Dashami, the most important day of the festival, likely falling towards the end of the month.
Because the precise dates depend on the Nepali calendar, official confirmation usually comes closer to the festival itself. Nepali community organisations and temples in the UK typically publish confirmed dates and local event schedules a few weeks in advance, so it’s worth checking with your local Gurkha or Nepali association nearer the time.
What is Dashain, and why does it matter to Nepali communities?
Dashain is Nepal’s most important festival. It’s a 15-day celebration rooted in Hindu tradition, commemorating the victory of good over evil. At its heart, though, Dashain is a festival of family. People travel long distances to reunite with relatives, and the atmosphere across Nepal and Nepali communities abroad shifts into one of celebration, generosity, and togetherness.
The tika blessing and family reunions
The most iconic ritual of Dashain is the tika, a mixture of rice, yoghurt, and vermilion powder applied to the forehead by elders as a blessing. Younger family members visit or are visited by their elders to receive tika, along with blessings for prosperity and good health. This ritual is typically accompanied by jamara, blades of barley grass grown in the days leading up to Dashain, which are also placed on the forehead as a symbol of good fortune.
Cash gifts from elders during Dashain
Alongside the tika blessing, elders traditionally give cash gifts, known as dakshina, to younger relatives. This custom reinforces the festival’s emphasis on generosity and family support. For Nepali households abroad, this tradition often extends across borders, with family members in the UK sending money home to parents and grandparents so they can distribute blessings and gifts as part of the celebration.
How is Dashain celebrated by Nepali and Gurkha communities in the UK?
The UK is home to some of the largest and most established Nepali and Gurkha communities outside of Nepal, shaped in large part by generations of service in the British Army’s Brigade of Gurkhas. Towns such as Aldershot and Farnborough have particularly strong Nepali populations, alongside communities in Ashford and Plumstead.
Community gatherings in Aldershot and Farnborough
In Aldershot and Farnborough, Dashain is marked with organised community gatherings that bring families together for shared meals, cultural performances, and the tika ritual. These events allow Nepali families who may not have relatives nearby to still experience the warmth and structure of a traditional Dashain celebration.
Temple events in Ashford and Plumstead
Local temples in Ashford and Plumstead host religious ceremonies and community events during Dashain, offering a space for worship, blessings, and connection. These gatherings are especially valued by Nepali families living further from London’s larger South Asian community hubs, giving them a familiar space to mark the occasion.
What should you know about sending money to Nepal during Dashain?
Dashain is widely recognised as one of the busiest periods of the year for money transfers to Nepal. With family gifts, tika blessings, and travel costs all tied to the festival, many UK-based Nepali families send money home in the days and weeks leading up to Vijaya Dashami.
A few practical points are worth keeping in mind if you’re planning to send money during this time:
- Bank holidays in Nepal: Nepal observes public holidays during the main days of Dashain, particularly around Vijaya Dashami. Bank branches and government offices in Nepal typically close, which can affect how quickly funds are available for collection or processing.
- Processing times may vary: Because Dashain is a high-volume period for remittances, transfers can take slightly longer to process than usual. Sending money a few days ahead of when it’s needed can help avoid last-minute stress.
- Recipient availability: With many people travelling to reunite with family during Dashain, it’s worth checking that your recipient will be available and reachable to collect funds during the days you’re sending.
Planning your transfer with these factors in mind can help ensure your gift or support arrives in time for the celebrations.
Celebrate Dashain 2026 with Family Near and Far
Dashain is a festival built on connection, whether that’s the tika blessing shared between generations, a cash gift sent with love, or a community gathering that brings a taste of Nepal to towns like Aldershot, Farnborough, Ashford, and Plumstead. As Dashain 2026 approaches, checking in with local Nepali associations for confirmed dates and events is a good first step towards celebrating the festival well, wherever you are in the UK.
If you have family in Nepal, planning ahead for any transfers or gifts you’d like to send can help make sure your support arrives in time for the celebrations, giving both you and your loved ones one less thing to worry about during this meaningful time of year.
FAQ
When does Dashain 2026 start and end?
Dashain typically spans 15 days and follows the Nepali lunisolar calendar, so exact dates shift each year. Dashain 2026 is expected to fall in mid-to-late September, with confirmed dates usually announced closer to the time by Nepali community organisations.
What is the significance of the tika blessing during Dashain?
The tika is a blessing given by elders to younger family members, made from rice, yoghurt, and vermilion powder. It’s applied to the forehead along with jamara, symbolising good health, prosperity, and the passing of blessings between generations.
Where can I celebrate Dashain in the UK?
Nepali and Gurkha communities in Aldershot, Farnborough, Ashford, and Plumstead hold community gatherings and temple events during Dashain. Local Nepali associations and temples typically publish event details in the weeks leading up to the festival.
Are banks in Nepal closed during Dashain?
Yes, Nepal observes public holidays around the main days of Dashain, particularly Vijaya Dashami. Bank branches and government offices typically close, which can affect the timing of money transfers and fund collection.
Why is Dashain a busy time for sending money to Nepal?
Dashain traditions include cash gifts from elders to younger family members. Many Nepali families living abroad send money home during this period to support these customs and help cover family celebrations.
