15 Dashain & Tihar Business Ideas in Nepal 2026 (Low Investment, Quick Profit)

Quick answer: The best festival business ideas in Nepal for 2026 are the ones you can start in a few days and sell to people who are already shopping: festival clothes sold through TikTok and Facebook, marigold (sayapatri) and makhamali garlands, diyo and lights, sel roti and sweets on pre-order, Bhai Tika gift packs, kites (changa), and house cleaning or painting services. Most of them need Rs 5,000 to Rs 50,000 to start. The trick is to buy stock early, sell online first, and finish before Bhai Tika on 11 November.

When are Dashain and Tihar in 2026? (Your selling calendar)

Your business window is roughly five weeks. Here are the dates that matter for selling:

Dashain tika is reported for 11:53 AM on 21 October. Always confirm final dates with the official patro (calendar). You can also check any date with our BS to AD Date Converter.

One thing stands out in 2026: Laxmi Puja falls on the same day as Kukur Tihar (8 November). That means the biggest flower and light sales are squeezed into a shorter window. Stock up by 6 November.

What is different about festival selling in 2026?

Two things have changed, and both help small sellers.

People now shop on their phones first. The Kathmandu Post reported in late September 2026 that Dashain sales have moved from shop windows to social media. Shops in New Road and elsewhere are posting discounts on TikTok, Facebook and Instagram, and buyers compare prices there before they walk into any market. You don't need a shop to compete anymore. You need good photos and a phone.

Discounts are about clearing stock. Big retailers cut prices on clothes and shoes by 50% or more to make room for new goods. This means you can sometimes buy branded stock cheaply in the first week of Dashain and resell it before Tihar.

Remittance also rises before the festivals, as families abroad send money home. More money in households means more spending on clothes, food and gifts.

15 festival business ideas in Nepal (with cost and profit)

The costs below are rough estimates for 2026, based on typical market prices. Your real cost depends on your city and how much stock you buy.

Quick comparison table

Now let's look at each one properly.

1. Festival clothes reselling on TikTok and Facebook

New clothes for Dashain are a must for most families. Kurta-suruwal, daura-suruwal, saris, children's sets and jackets all sell well.

• How to start: Buy from wholesale markets (Asan, New Road, Birgunj, or Sunauli border markets for some items). Take clear photos in daylight. Post short videos on TikTok and Facebook with the price written on screen.

• Where profit comes from: Children's clothes and kurta sets usually carry a good margin. Use our Discount Calculator to check that your "sale price" still leaves profit.

• Watch out for: Wrong sizes. Write measurements in every post and offer exchange within 3 days.

2. Marigold (sayapatri) and makhamali garlands

During Tihar every door, every dog, every cow and every brother gets a garland. Demand peaks on Kukur Tihar, Laxmi Puja and Bhai Tika.

• How to start: It is too late to grow flowers for this year, so buy loose flowers from local farmers or wholesale flower markets. String them into mala at home with family help.

• Tip: Fresh flowers wilt in 2–3 days. Buy in small batches and sell the same day. Book bulk orders from shops, offices and temples in advance.

• Good to know: Imported flowers often fill the gap when local supply falls short. Locally grown flowers are a selling point. Say "locally grown" in your posts.

3. Diyo, candles and LED lights stall

Laxmi Puja is the night of lights. Clay diyo, wax candles, electric string lights and akash deep (sky lanterns) all sell fast.

• How to start: A small table in a busy lane, outside your house, or in front of a relative's shop is enough. Ask your ward office or municipality if you need permission for a temporary stall.

• Tip: Sell bundles: "20 diyo + 1 packet wicks + 1 bottle oil" sells better than single pieces.

4. Rangoli colours and stencils

Rangoli is drawn at the door to welcome Laxmi. Colour powder is cheap to buy in bulk and easy to repack.

• How to start: Buy colours in kilos, repack in small bags of 5–7 colours, and add a simple stencil. Children and teenagers love these.

• Extra income: Offer a "rangoli at your door" service on Laxmi Puja evening if you are good at drawing.

5. Sel roti and festival food on pre-order

Not every family has time (or the skill) to make sel roti, anarasa, fini roti and ghee-based sweets at home anymore, especially in cities and for busy working families.

• How to start: Take orders on Facebook Messenger or WhatsApp 3–5 days before. Cook in batches. Charge by the kilo or by the piece.

• Food safety: Keep your kitchen clean, use fresh oil, and label every box with the date. If you plan to continue after the festival, look into food business registration and standards set by the Department of Food Technology and Quality Control (DFTQC).

6. Sweets and dry fruit gift hampers

Offices, banks and businesses buy gift boxes for staff and clients. Families buy them for relatives.

• How to start: Make 3 hamper sizes (small, medium, large). Fill with dry fruits, sweets, chocolates and a festival card. Approach 10–20 local offices directly with a price list.

• Tip: Corporate orders pay in advance. Ask for 50% before you buy stock.

7. Bhai Tika kits

Sisters need sapta rangi (seven-colour) tika, makhamali garland, okhar (walnut), dry fruits, sweets and a small gift for their brothers.

• How to start: Pack everything into one kit at three price points. Market it to busy sisters, people living abroad who want to send kits home, and hostels.

• Why it works: It saves time on the busiest day of Tihar. Convenience sells.

8. Kites (changa) and lattai

Flying kites in the clear autumn sky is a Dashain tradition. Kites, thread (dhago) and lattai sell well in the two weeks before Tika.

• How to start: Buy from wholesalers in bulk. Sell from a stall near open grounds, schools or crowded residential areas where kids fly kites from rooftops.

• Safety note: Avoid selling glass-coated sharp thread. It injures birds and people.

9. Jamara and puja items

Jamara (barley/maize sprouts) is planted on Ghatasthapana and given with tika on Vijaya Dashami. Many city families buy ready jamara.

• How to start: Plant seeds in clay pots or trays in a dark room from Ghatasthapana. Sell fresh jamara bundles in the last 2 days before Tika. Add puja items like abir, rice, incense and red cloth.

10. House cleaning and painting service

Many Nepali families clean and paint their homes before Dashain, and again before Laxmi Puja.

• How to start: If you have a small team, offer packages: "one room painting", "full house cleaning", "window and water tank cleaning". Post before-and-after photos.

• Tip: Fix the price per room or per square foot before you start work to avoid disputes.

11. Festival photo and video service

Tika day, family gatherings, swings (ping) and Deusi-Bhailo programs are memories people want recorded.

• How to start: A good phone, a small light and basic editing skills are enough to begin. Offer "family tika photo package" at a fixed price.

• Bonus: Short, edited reels sell well. People share them, which brings you more customers.

12. Mehendi and home beauty service

Women and girls want mehendi, hair styling and makeup for Tika and family visits.

• How to start: Offer home visits with a fixed price list. Post your work on Instagram and TikTok. Book appointments early because the day before Tika fills up first.

13. Tailoring and alteration

Everyone wants their new clothes to fit perfectly before Tika. Tailors in Nepal often have more work than they can handle in Ashwin.

• How to start: If you can sew, take alteration work from neighbours and from clothes resellers (idea #1). Partner with them for steady work.

14. Group travel booking and vehicle hire

Hundreds of thousands of people travel home from Kathmandu and other cities before Dashain. Tickets sell out and prices rise.

• How to start: Organise group bookings for students, office staff or migrant workers from one district. Earn a commission from bus operators, or hire a vehicle and split costs.

• Important: Only work with registered transport operators and do not overcharge. Overcharging during festivals is monitored.

15. Festival graphic design and ads for local shops

Every local shop wants a Dashain or Tihar offer post, but most don't have a designer.

• How to start: Use free tools like Canva and AI design tools. Offer a "festival post package" (5 designs + 1 short video) to 10 shops in your area.

• Learn more: See our guide to digital marketing costs in Nepal to set fair prices for your service.

How to start a festival business in 7 days (step by step)

1. Day 1 – Pick one idea. Choose the one that matches your skill and money. Don't try three at once.

2. Day 2 – Check prices. Visit 2–3 wholesale markets or call suppliers. Write down cost price for every item.

3. Day 3 – Set your selling price. Add your costs (transport, packing, wastage) and your profit. Our Percentage Calculator helps you find your margin quickly.

4. Day 4 – Make a Facebook page or TikTok account. Use a simple name with your area, like "Butwal Tihar Garlands".

5. Day 5 – Take photos and post. Real photos in daylight. Price clearly written.

6. Day 6 – Take pre-orders and advance payments. Use eSewa, Khalti or Fonepay QR so customers can pay instantly.

7. Day 7 – Buy stock and start delivering. Buy only what you can sell, based on orders plus a little extra.

How much money can you really make?

Honest answer: it depends on how much you sell, not on the idea itself. A small garland seller might earn a few thousand rupees in a week. A well-run clothes or gift-hamper business can earn much more, but also carries more risk of unsold stock.

A simple example (Bhai Tika kits):

This is an illustration. Your numbers will differ, so calculate with your own supplier prices before buying stock.

Do you need registration or PAN for a festival business?

For a few days of selling from home or online, most people start informally. But keep these points in mind:

• Temporary stalls on roads or public places may need permission from your ward office or municipality.

• Food businesses should follow hygiene and labelling rules, and register if they continue.

• If you plan to continue after the festival, register properly. Our company registration guide explains every step, and our Nepal tax system guide explains PAN and VAT.

• Bills and invoices: If you sell to offices, they may ask for a PAN bill. Read how Nepal's taxpayer incentive gift program rewards customers for taking bills.

5 mistakes festival sellers make (and how to avoid them)

1. Buying too much stock. Leftover garlands and sweets are a total loss. Buy in small batches.

2. Starting too late. People shop for Dashain clothes 1–2 weeks before Tika. If you start on Fulpati, you've missed most buyers.

3. No online presence. In 2026, buyers check TikTok and Facebook first.

4. Forgetting delivery costs. Delivery eats profit. Charge for it or set a minimum order.

5. Not keeping records. Write every sale and expense in a notebook or phone app. You'll learn what to do better next year.

Turn a festival business into a year-round business

Many successful Nepali businesses started as festival stalls. A garland seller can become a wedding decoration business. A sel roti home kitchen can supply cafés. A hamper maker can serve corporate gifting all year.

If you want ideas that continue after Tihar, read our full list of 270 business ideas for Nepal. If you're thinking bigger, see how much money it takes to start a café in Nepal. To track whether your business is actually growing, learn the 10 business metrics every Nepali entrepreneur should know.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best business to start during Dashain in Nepal?

Festival clothes reselling, kites, jamara and puja items, house painting and travel booking do well during Dashain. If you have little money, start with jamara or kites. If you have Rs 50,000 or more, clothes reselling online has the most demand.

What business is best for Tihar?

Marigold and makhamali garlands, diyo and lights, rangoli colours, sel roti on pre-order and Bhai Tika kits. Demand peaks on Laxmi Puja (8 November 2026) and Bhai Tika (11 November 2026).

Can I start a festival business with Rs 10,000?

Yes. Garlands, rangoli colour packs, jamara and small Bhai Tika kits can all start with Rs 5,000 to Rs 15,000. Sell to people you know first, then expand.

Do I need a PAN number to sell during Dashain and Tihar?

Not for small, informal, short-term selling in most cases. But offices may ask for a PAN bill, and if you continue after the festival, you should register. Check with your local tax office (IRD) for your situation.

How can I sell festival products online in Nepal?

Post clear photos and short videos on TikTok, Facebook and Instagram, write the price in the post, and accept payments through eSewa, Khalti or a Fonepay QR code. Offer home delivery in your area.

When are Dashain and Tihar in 2026?

Dashain runs from Ghatasthapana on 11 October to Kojagrat Purnima on 25 October 2026, with Vijaya Dashami (Tika) on 21 October. Tihar runs from 7 to 11 November 2026, ending with Bhai Tika on 11 November.

Final thoughts

Festival seasons are the easiest time of year to test a business idea in Nepal, because customers are already looking to spend. Start small, sell online first, take advance payments, and keep records. Even if you earn only a little this year, you'll learn what sells, and next Dashain you'll be ready earlier than everyone else.

शुभ दशैं र शुभ दीपावली! (Happy Dashain and Happy Tihar!)