Nepal’s Dashain period is shaped by preparations, public services, and continuing disputes and recovery efforts across the country and abroad.
Politics & Governance
Rastriya Swatantra Party President Rabi Lamichhane urged unity and commitment to national welfare during Dashain while acknowledging recent tragedy and losses. In parallel, President Ram Chandra Paudel received Bada Dashain tika and offered jamara to his family at Shital Niwas President Paudel receives Dashai tika. The public message from leaders also aligned with wider national reflections on resilience and recovery RSP President Lamichhane calls for unity, commitment to national welfare on Dashain.
Courts & Accountability
Nepal Police arrested five people at a casino during ongoing operations as activity continues amid the festival season. Separately, Nepal’s broader accountability environment also intersected with disruptions in public life, including political turmoil affecting football administration that led to suspensions involving coach Hassan and forward Zico Partly cloudy weather likely in Nepal’s Hills, Tarai to remain mostly clear. The same update noted ongoing investigations and arrests linked to security enforcement in Kathmandu Valley during the Dashain period Partly cloudy weather likely in Nepal’s Hills, Tarai to remain mostly clear.
Economy & Business
The restructuring of the Nepal Electricity Authority into three companies is at an advanced stage, with the Ministry of Energy finalizing a roadmap to split generation, transmission, and distribution. The government’s 2083/84 budget initiative is intended to clarify responsibilities and improve performance, while still leaving some ownership and asset-allocation details to be finalized NEA restructuring into three companies reaches final stage. Meanwhile, outbound movement for tourism and longer-term plans remains substantial, with Dashain identified as the main travel season and Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents considering changes to destinations due to visa frictions Every year 2,00,000 Nepalis go abroad to travel, with Dashain the main season.
Society & Community
Across the country and abroad, Dashain-linked community life continued through sport, cultural events, and disaster recovery concerns. Nepali athletes remained active in international competitions during Dashain, including the national cricket team’s 10-run win over Oman and Paralympic participation in Japan Nepali athletes remain busy with international competitions during Dashain, while Nepalis overseas also held Dashain celebrations in Australia reflecting ties to homeland traditions Asutralia Nepali community celebrates Dashain in Australia reflecting the spirit of the homeland abroad. In Rasuwa’s Khalte, displaced Tamang families continue to seek stability after the Bhote Koshi flood, with about 250 families using temporary shelter and expressing uncertainty about future relocation बाढीको छायामा स्थिरता खोजिरहेका खाल्टेका विस्थापित, तस्बिरहरू.
Date: October 22, 2026 (AD) | B.S.: Kartik 06, 2083
Top News
1. Nepali athletes remain busy with international competitions during Dashain (english.onlinekhabar.com)
Nepali athletes are actively participating in various international competitions during the Dashain festival, including cricket, esports, motorsport, and handball. The national cricket team secured a crucial 10-run victory over Oman, finishing sixth in the ICC Cricket World Cup League 2, which strengthens their ODI status hopes. Additionally, 19 Nepali athletes are competing in the Asian Para Games in Japan, while Nepali esports teams are set to participate in the PUBG Mobile Global Open in Pakistan.
2. Every year 2,00,000 Nepalis go abroad to travel, with Dashain the main season (english.onlinekhabar.com)
An average of 200,000 Nepalis travel abroad for leisure annually, with Dashain being the peak season, according to the Department of Immigration. Thailand remains the primary destination, but issues with the visa process have led the Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents (NATTA) to consider boycotting Thailand tours, prompting a shift towards the UAE and other locations. In 2025, 233,108 Nepalis traveled abroad for tourism, while foreign employment accounted for 52% of outbound movement, highlighting a growing trend towards education and long-term migration.
3. RSP President Lamichhane calls for unity, commitment to national welfare on Dashain (theannapurnaexpress.com)
Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) President Rabi Lamichhane emphasized the need for unity and commitment to national welfare during this year's Dashain, which is marked by tragedy and loss. He paid tribute to disaster victims and expressed hope that the festival would inspire resilience and a collective effort towards recovery and progress for the nation. Lamichhane extended his wishes for happiness and prosperity to all Nepalis, urging them to rise above personal interests for the greater good.
4. Partly cloudy weather likely in Nepal’s Hills, Tarai to remain mostly clear (theannapurnaexpress.com)
Nepal is experiencing post-monsoon weather, with partly cloudy conditions in the hills and mostly clear skies in the Terai region, along with potential light rain or snowfall in some mountainous areas. President Paudel performed Nawakanya Puja on Maha Nawami, while FIFA suspended coach Hassan and forward Zico for three and five matches, respectively, amid political turmoil affecting Nepali football. Over 576,000 people have left the Kathmandu Valley since Ghatasthapana, and five individuals were arrested by Nepal Police at a casino.
5. अस्ट्रेलियामा नेपाली समुदायले मनायो दसैँ, विदेशमा पनि झल्कियो स्वदेशको झल्को (www.onlinekhabar.com)
The Nepali community in Australia celebrated Dashain, showcasing cultural traditions and festivities reminiscent of home. The event highlighted the strong connection of expatriates to their roots, emphasizing the importance of cultural preservation abroad.
6. गुल्मीको धरमपानीमा फर्कियो लिङ्गे पिङको रौनक, परम्परा जोगाउँदै युवा (www.onlinekhabar.com)
The Lingey Ping festival has returned to Dharmapani in Gulmi, showcasing a revival of traditional practices led by local youth. This event emphasizes the importance of preserving cultural heritage and community traditions.
7. बाढीको छायामा स्थिरता खोजिरहेका खाल्टेका विस्थापित, तस्बिरहरू (www.ratopati.com)
Following the Bhote Koshi flood six weeks ago, the displaced Tamang community in Khalte, Rasuwa, has taken refuge in a temporary camp in Bada Chautara. The flood has displaced around 250 families who had previously relocated there after the 2015 earthquake, with 511 individuals currently relying on donor assistance for survival. Residents express concerns about their uncertain future and the possibility of needing to relocate again.
8. NEA restructuring into three companies reaches final stage (english.onlinekhabar.com)
The restructuring of the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) into three companies is nearing completion, with the Ministry of Energy finalizing a roadmap for the division into electricity generation, transmission, and distribution. This initiative, part of the government's budget for the fiscal year 2083/84, aims to clarify responsibilities and improve performance, although details regarding ownership structures and asset distribution are still pending. The restructuring process, which began in 2017, is expected to enhance private-sector participation in electricity trade and will proceed once the roadmap is finalized.
9. President Paudel receives Dashai tika (theannapurnaexpress.com)
President Ram Chandra Paudel received the Bada Dashain tika, prasad, and jamara at Shital Niwas at 10:26 am. Following the ritual, he offered tika and jamara to First Lady Sabita Paudel and family members.
10. पर्सामा एक महिना एक सय ११ अपराधका घटना दर्ता (nepalnews.com)
In Parsa, 111 criminal incidents were registered last month, including 61 social crimes, 17 organized and economic crimes, and 8 homicide cases. The police apprehended 120 suspects during ongoing investigations, seizing significant quantities of illegal drugs and goods valued at approximately NPR 7.54 million. Additionally, 40 traffic accidents occurred, resulting in 2 fatalities and 31 injuries, with over 1,300 vehicles penalized for traffic violations.
Forex
| Currency Pair | Rate (NPR) |
|---|---|
| USD → NPR | 151.44 |
| CAD → NPR | 107.76 |
| AUD → NPR | 106.39 |
| GBP → NPR | 202.85 |
| JPY → NPR | 9.58 |
Metal Prices (International)
| Metal | Price (USD/oz) | Price (NPR/tola) |
|---|---|---|
| Gold | $4088.35 | NPR 232,177.15 |
| Silver | $56.2 | NPR 3,191.59 |
Disclaimer
- Forex rates are sourced from the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB).
- International gold and silver prices are sourced from swissquote.
- Nepal gold and silver prices are sourced from Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers' Association.
Prices are provided for informational purposes only and may be delayed, or inaccurate.
