<sod>Several of the [[List of festivals in Nepal|festivals of Nepal]] last from one to several days. As a predominantly Hindu and Buddhist nation, most of the Nepalese festivals are religious ones. The festivals of Nepal have their roots in [[Hinduism]] as 82% of the population of the country is Hindu. [[Buddhism]], the second-largest religion of the nation which accounts for 9% of the population, has influenced the cultural festivals of Nepal. [[Dashain]] or [[Dusshera]] is the longest and the most important festival of Nepal. Generally Dashain falls in late September to mid-October, right after the end of the [[Monsoon|monsoon season]]. It is "a day of Victory over Demons". The [[Newar]]s celebrate the festival as [[Mohani]]. [[Tihar (festival)|Tihar]] or [[Diwali]], [[Holi]], [[Saraswati Puja]], [[Rakshabandhan]], [[Bhai Dooj]], [[Janmashtami]], Gai Jatra, Nag Panchami, [[Teej]], [[Chhath]], [[Kartik Poornima]], [[Maghe Sankranti]], [[Ganesh Chaturthi]], [[Maha Shivratri]] and [[Chhechu]] are other widely celebrated important festivals of Nepal. New Year's Day of the lunar calendar [[Nepal Sambat]] occurs at this time. Several Jatras took place throughout the year and public holidays are declared in some regions.<eod>
<sod>Several of the [[List of festivals in Nepal|festivals of Nepal]] last from one to several days. As a predominantly Hindu and Buddhist nation, most of the Nepalese festivals are religious ones. The festivals of Nepal have their roots in [[Hinduism]] as 82% of the population of the country is Hindu. [[Buddhism]], the second-largest religion of the nation which accounts for 9% of the population, has influenced the cultural festivals of Nepal. [[Dashain]] or [[Dusshera]] is the longest and the most important festival of Nepal. Generally Dashain falls in late September to mid-October, right after the end of the [[Monsoon|monsoon season]]. It is "a day of Victory over Demons". The [[Newar]]s celebrate the festival as [[Mohani]]. [[Tihar (festival)|Tihar]] or [[Diwali]], [[Holi]], [[Saraswati Puja]], [[Rakshabandhan]], [[Bhai Dooj]], [[Janmashtami]], [[Kali Puja]], Gai Jatra, Nag Panchami, [[Teej]], [[Chhath]], [[Kartik Poornima]], [[Maghe Sankranti]], [[Ganesh Chaturthi]], [[Maha Shivratri]] and [[Chhechu]] are other widely celebrated important festivals of Nepal. New Year's Day of the lunar calendar [[Nepal Sambat]] occurs in November. Several Jatras took place throughout the year and public holidays are declared in some regions.<eod>