Shifting home during Tihar 2026 might be the nudge you have been waiting for. For months you have probably said “after the festival” or “when the timing feels right.” The festival is here.
Tihar 2026 runs from Saturday, 7 November to Wednesday, 11 November, and Laxmi Puja falls on Sunday, 8 November (OrbitRemit).
Here is the honest truth: no moment is perfect. But Tihar comes with real perks. Homes get cleaned and lit, banks run festive loan schemes, and the whole culture leans toward new beginnings.
This guide covers dates, customs, loans, logistics and decor. Every fact links to a source, so you can decide with evidence instead of vibes.
Is Tihar a Good Time to Buy or Shift to a New Home?
Yes, if you plan for it. Tihar is a great time for a fresh start. It is not a magic spell that packs your boxes for you.
Why Tihar Feels Lucky for a Fresh Start
Tihar is the festival of lights. Over five days, people honour crows, dogs, cows, oxen and brothers, and they worship Goddess Laxmi on the third evening.
Families also decorate their homes and light diyo, candles and string lights each evening (Wikipedia).
On Gai Tihar, people wake early, put on fresh clothes and clean every corner of the house. So the festival already asks you to clear out the old and welcome the new. A house move fits that rhythm nicely.
Why Banks and Developers Offer Deals Around Tihar
Nepali business media has long reported that housing developers and banks push festive offers at this time of year.
This year is no exception. Two examples from recent reports:
- Rastriya Banijya Bank offers home loans up to Rs 30 million at 5.51% for up to 20 years, covering purchase, construction or land.
- Muktinath Bikas Bank offers home loans at Base Rate + 0.25% .
Offers change by bank and by year, so always confirm the current terms with the bank itself.
Dashain vs Tihar: Which Is Better for a Home Move?
Dashain is already behind us this year. Dashami fell on 21 October.
The good news: both loan schemes above target Dashain, Tihar and Chhath, and both stay valid until the end of Kartik 2083 BS. That date falls in mid-November. Moving in Tihar does not cost you the festive offers.
Dashain also sends people on long journeys to their villages. Our guide on how to plan your move around the festival season explains how that rush affects movers and roads.
Tihar 2026 Dates: What Each Day Means for Your Move
Here are the main dates for Tihar 2026 (Kartik 21 to 25, 2083 BS):
| Date | Day | What happens | Moving note |
| 7 Nov | Saturday | Kaag Tihar (crow worship) begins the festival | Last easy day to finish paperwork |
| 8 Nov | Sunday | Laxmi Puja, the main night of lights (public holiday) | Families are busy; avoid moving |
| 10 Nov | Tuesday | Govardhan Puja / Mha Puja (public holiday) | Many offices and banks are closed |
| 11 Nov | Wednesday | Bhai Tika (public holiday) | Family day; plan around it |
Sources: OrbitRemit, Calendarific and Nepal Hiking Team.
Kukur Tihar and Gai Tihar sit between these dates. Calendars differ by a day on those two, so confirm them with the Nepal Panchanga Nirnayak Samiti or your local patro.
Is Laxmi Puja an Auspicious Day for Moving House?
Laxmi Puja is the biggest night of Tihar. People worship Goddess Laxmi, the goddess of wealth, and light up their homes.
It is also a terrible time to carry a sofa down a narrow gali. Your family will be busy with puja, and your movers will be competing with lamps and visitors.
Auspicious entry dates are a separate question. In Nepal, a priest usually picks the day for a family to enter a new home, using astrological charts.
So ask your priest for a muhurat. If it lands inside Tihar, wonderful. If it does not, do not force it.
How to Perform a Simple Housewarming During Tihar
Griha Pravesh is the Hindu housewarming ceremony performed when a family moves into a new home. You can keep it simple.
- Finish the home first. Enter only when the house is ready to live in.
- Clean thoroughly. A clean house welcomes the deities, and the tradition asks for it before the puja.
- Fix the muhurat. Ask your priest, as covered above.
- Prepare the puja items. Typical lists include images of Ganesh and Laxmi, a kalash with water or milk, rice, flowers and fruits.
- Boil milk. Many families boil milk in a new utensil, believing it brings prosperity .
- Light the diyo. Tihar makes this step easy, because the lamps are already part of the festival.
Your priest has the final say on the exact order. Traditions vary by family and community.
How to Plan Your Home Shift During the Tihar Holidays
A festival move needs a plan, not luck. Here is how to build one.
Book Your Movers Early
We recommend booking as far ahead as you can. During peak seasons, we suggest at least a few weeks. Last-minute moves can happen, but your choice of dates shrinks fast.
When you call, ask for three things in writing: your confirmed date and time, the crew and vehicle size, and what happens if something breaks. Our guide on moving damage, insurance and liability explains what to document.
Our house shifting service covers local moves and long-distance moves across Nepal. You can also request a free quote and ask about Tihar availability.
Pick Your Moving Day Around the Holidays
Laxmi Puja, Govardhan Puja and Bhai Tika are public holidays in 2026. Offices, banks and some landlords may be closed on those days.
So finish loan paperwork, rental agreements and utility transfers before 7 November. Then choose a moving day that avoids the puja evening and the family gatherings.
We cannot give you a traffic forecast, because no reliable public source covers it. Ask your mover about route timing instead.
Pack Puja Items and Fragile Decor Separately
Diyo, idols, a kalash and a puja thali do not belong at the bottom of a box labelled “misc.” Pack them in one clearly marked box and carry it yourself. You will want them within minutes of arriving.
For heavy furniture, use professional loading and unloading help, especially if your new home has stairs. Our tips for shifting in Kathmandu cover narrow lanes and other local quirks.
Moving to Another City or District?
Planning a longer move? Read our guide to Kathmandu to Pokhara shifting. We also serve other cities and districts, so check our areas we serve page. For the Valley, we have local pages for packers and movers in Bhaktapur and Lalitpur.
Festive Home Loans: What to Check Before You Sign
A low advertised rate is a good start. It is not the whole story. Check these points before you commit:
- Offer validity. Muktinath says its scheme ends with Kartik 2083, after which its prevailing rates and terms apply .
- Financing share. The same bank says it finances up to 70% of assessed value, and up to 80% for first-time buyers.
- Floating rates. A floating rate is a base rate plus a premium. It changes when the bank’s base rate changes .
- Regulatory limits. The Nepal Rastra Bank sets the maximum loan-to-value ratio, and it can change .
- Loan ceiling. In its FY 2082/83 monetary policy, the NRB raised the housing loan limit to Rs 3 crore from Rs 2 crore.
- Approval time. We found no reliable public figure for approval time during festivals. Ask your bank for a written timeline.
This section is general information, not financial advice. Compare the offers with your bank directly before you decide.
How to Decorate Your New Home for Tihar (Without Clutter)
Move in first, decorate second. A few good touches beat forty half-hung decorations.
Where to Put Rangoli in a Modern Apartment
Rangoli is a common part of Laxmi Puja and housewarming decor . In an apartment, keep it small and sensible:
- Place it just inside your door, not in the shared corridor.
- Check your building’s rules before you draw or place anything outside.
- Use a tray, a small mat or flower petals if you want easy cleanup.
How to Light Up Your New House on a Budget
Tihar lighting traditionally uses diyo, candles and electric string lights. You do not need all three everywhere.
- Put a few diyo at the entrance and in the puja corner.
- Hang one string of lights on the balcony or a main window.
- Keep every flame away from curtains, and never leave a lit lamp alone. A smoke alarm at midnight is not festive.
Decorate Without the Clutter
Pick three spots: the entrance, the puja corner and one window. Keep boxes out of sight and surfaces clear. The festival already celebrates a clean home, so let your decor follow that spirit.
Key Takeaways
- Tihar 2026 runs from 7 to 11 November, with Laxmi Puja on 8 November.
- Laxmi Puja, Govardhan Puja and Bhai Tika are public holidays, so finish paperwork before 7 November.
- Avoid moving on the Laxmi Puja evening. Your family and your movers will thank you.
- Ask your priest for a muhurat; do not guess an auspicious date.
- Festive home loan offers run until the end of Kartik 2083, but terms differ by bank. Verify before you sign.
- Book movers early, pack puja items separately and keep decorations simple.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Tihar in 2026?
Tihar 2026 runs from Saturday, 7 November to Wednesday, 11 November. Laxmi Puja falls on Sunday, 8 November, and Bhai Tika on Wednesday, 11 November .
Is it good to shift to a new home during Tihar?
Many families like Tihar for a fresh start because the festival centres on cleaning, lights and welcoming Laxmi. For the exact entry date, ask your priest for a muhurat.
Is Laxmi Puja a good day for moving house?
It is the main night of Tihar, so families are busy with puja. A quieter day is easier for movers and for you. Use Laxmi Puja for your first puja in the new home only if your priest agrees.
How do I perform a simple housewarming during Tihar?
Clean the home, fix a muhurat with your priest, set up Ganesh and Laxmi images and a kalash, boil milk and light diyo. See the steps above for the full list.
Which banks have Tihar home loan schemes?
Rastriya Banijya Bank and Muktinath Bikas Bank have both announced festive home loan offers for 2083 BS. Other banks may too. Check each bank’s current terms and validity dates.
Are moving companies available during Tihar holidays?
Availability depends on the company and the date. We advise booking a few weeks ahead in peak seasons. Ask for a confirmed date and time in writing.
Conclusion: Start Fresh This Tihar
You can keep waiting for the perfect moment, or you can use the one on the calendar. Tihar gives you clean-home traditions, festive loan offers and a natural reason to begin again.
Plan around the holidays, confirm your muhurat, compare loan terms and pack your puja items last. Do that, and your move can feel like part of the celebration.
Ready to make it happen? Request a free quote from Nepal Packers and Movers, or call +977 9849635563. Tell us your dates, and we will help you plan a calm move this Tihar.