Nepal is a traditional country with diverse customs, and there’s a high chance your visit will coincide with some kind of ancient festival. Grounded in Hindu and Buddhist culture, the colourful festivals are a good way to witness local traditions and customs. Dashain and Tihar are the major Hindu festivals of Nepal. Tihar (known also as Deepawali on the Terai) is the second largest festival after Dashain. Tihar, meaning the Festival of Lights, is a religious festival celebrated for five days, and it takes place soon after Dashain. Animals, deities and humans are all worshipped. By chance, I was travelling through Nepal during Tihar, as it coincides with the peak autumn tourist season. It was impossible to miss the spectacular festival as Nepalis decorated the streets with tinsel and celebrated with dancing and singing almost every day. A different deity is worshipped on each day of the festival. On the first day of the festival, I was in Kuttal, a village in the Kathman...