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Dashain 2026 away from home: the dates, and keeping it when family is far
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Dashain is Nepal's largest festival, a celebration of good over evil. In 2026 it runs from Ghatasthapana on 11 October to Kojagrat Purnima on 25 October, and the day of tika is 21 October.
For families living in different countries, Dashain can mean planning a trip to be together.
When are the Dashain 2026 dates?
| Day | Date in 2026 |
|---|---|
| Ghatasthapana, the first day | Sunday 11 October |
| Vijaya Dashami, the day of tika | Wednesday 21 October |
| Kojagrat Purnima, the last day | Sunday 25 October |
Dashain away from home
I’ve been living abroad since 2019. Right now, I’m working in Portugal, and this Dashain I will be celebrating away from home. I am already looking forward to it.
The gathering is the part I’m most excited about. During Dashain in Nepal, people return from different cities and countries to be with their extended family. Everyone gets to share a good meal and spend time together. The whole family comes together, beyond the people who live in one household.
I won’t be able to go to Nepal and join that bigger gathering this year. I’ll miss being with our extended family, but I will still mark Dashain. Receiving tika and blessings is part of what I’m looking forward to, along with sitting down for a meal and having a good time together.
I feel lucky that I get to celebrate with them.
What does vasudhaiva kutumbakam mean?
वसुधैव कुटुम्बकम् (vasudhaiva kutumbakam): the whole world is one family.
This Sanskrit phrase appears in our Eternal Voice collection, in Devanagari with its meaning in English.
When should you order a print before tika?
If you want to send a print to someone before tika: our prints are made to order in Europe. Every print is made to order. Most orders arrive within 10 working days. A few places take longer: up to 15 working days to Cyprus, Malta and Ireland. Your product page shows the expected dates for your country, updated every night. The last safe order date for tika on 21 October has passed, so a print ordered now may arrive after it. For Tihar, order in good time. Delivery dates are estimates. See our shipping policy for details.
Tell us
Who are you hoping to share a Dashain meal with?
For more words families carry with them, read five Nepali proverbs and their meanings.
Questions
When is Dashain 2026?
From 11 October (Ghatasthapana) to 25 October (Kojagrat Purnima). Tika falls on 21 October.
What is Dashain?
Nepal's largest festival, a celebration of good over evil, when families gather and elders give tika and blessings.
What does vasudhaiva kutumbakam mean?
The whole world is one family.
(Sources for the dates and the description of Dashain above: Embassy of Nepal in Cairo, public holiday list; Hamro Patro calendar; Nepal Tourism Board, Dashain overview.)
Written by Amrit Sharma Dahal, Jhilke Studio, Almada, Portugal. Last updated 30 September 2026.
