Tag Archives: #CommunityCelebration

Holi celebration in Sydney

We just wrapped up a gorgeous Holi celebration here in Sydney, and my heart’s still full. For anyone who’s not familiar, Holi is a festival of colour that marks the arrival of spring. Back in Nepal, it’s one of the happiest days of the year -everyone’s out on the streets with family, neighbours and friends, throwing colours, sharing food, laughing and just enjoying the moment together.

This year, we tried to bring a little slice of that spirit to Sydney. We headed down to the local park with our mates and neighbours, and before long everyone was covered head-to-toe in colour. Kids were running around, adults pretending not to be competitive with colour throwing… the whole vibe felt like home. It reminded me how simple joy can be when you share it.

And of course – the food. We made chatpate, which is such a classic Nepali street snack and honestly perfect for quick get-togethers. If you haven’t tried it, chatpate is a crunchy, tangy, spicy mix made with puffed rice. It’s got this punchy flavour that hits all the right notes, and the best part is how quick it is to make.

Here’s the fast version of how we made it:

Quick & Easy Chatpate

  • Puffed rice
  • Finely chopped onion, tomato and cucumber
  • Coriander
  • A squeeze of lemon
  • Chilli (as much or as little as you like)
  • A bit of mustard oil for that proper Nepali kick
  • Salt to taste

Mix it all together just before serving so it stays crunchy — and that’s it. Fresh, zesty and perfect for days like this.

Celebrating Holi away from Nepal can feel different, but sharing colours, food and laughs with the people around us makes it special in its own way. Still buzzing from all the fun and all the colour. 💛💜💚

Already looking forward to next year! 🌸✨

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Take care,

M from Nepaliaustralian
XOXO

🎆 Celebrating Tihar – The Festival of Lights and Togetherness 🎆

This year’s Tihar has been truly special for me. It’s our second biggest festival, and it goes on for five beautiful days filled with light, laughter, music, and togetherness. Since moving to this new place, I’ve been lucky to be surrounded by a wonderful Nepalese community — and celebrating Tihar here has been nothing short of amazing.

Each day of the festival brought its own charm and meaning:
✨ Day 1 – Kaag Tihar (Crow Day): We started by offering food to crows, messengers of Yama, the god of death, to ward off sadness and bad news for the coming year.

🐕 Day 2 – Kukur Tihar (Dog Day): We honoured our loyal friends — dogs — by placing garlands, tika, and delicious treats for them. Seeing everyone’s pets proudly wearing flowers and tikas was heartwarming.

🐄 Day 3 – Gai Tihar and Laxmi Puja: Morning began with worshipping cows, a symbol of prosperity and motherhood. As the evening arrived, we lit up our homes with diyas and candles to welcome Goddess Laxmi. The streets shimmered with light, and the air was filled with laughter, music, and the scent of incense.

👭 Day 4 – Govardhan Puja / Mha Puja: This day felt especially meaningful as we performed Mha Puja — a beautiful ritual of self-purification and self-respect. We celebrated life and energy with our family and neighbours, creating a deep sense of connection and gratitude.

🎶 Day 5 – Bhai Tika: The final day was emotional and full of love — sisters placing tika on their brothers’ foreheads, wishing them long life, happiness, and prosperity.

Throughout these five days, the best part was coming together with our neighbours to play Deusi–Bhailo every evening. We went from house to house singing, dancing, and sharing laughter. Everyone contributed — some cooked, some sang, some played the madal or guitar — and every night ended with food, stories, and joy.

This Tihar reminded me of home — of warmth, light, and community. It wasn’t just a festival; it was a celebration of connection, tradition, and belonging.

Please follow me on Instagram! and Please follow me on TikTok to stay updated on my adventures.

Take care,

M from Nepaliaustralian
XOXO