Kathmandu's festivals (better than India?)

If you cannot go to India, the Hindu festivals in Nepal could be a good alternative. Most of Nepal's festivals center on Kathmandu's Dubar Square. Here's a rundown of those feasts:

*Tihar, Deepawali or Festival of Lights: 5 days, end of October or early November, Hindu rituals like lanterns, candles and fireworks (some say the Nepalese version is more picturesque than those in India).

*Holi: any day in March, the town bathes in water splashes and colored powder as a sign of good luck. The town could be very messy by then.

*Bikram Sambat's New Year: April, religious rituals and pilgrimages to Bagamati River

*Teej or women's festival: somewhere in September, married women dress up in their red "wedding gown" or saris before visiting male relatives and single women, who then join them in praying until night to pray for future husbands

*Indra Jatra or Harvest Festival: 8 days, September, parades of goddess Kumari in her golden chariot.

Take note that during such festivals, all businesses in Kathmandu are closed even several days before or after the festivals.