Indian life in Nepal: food, festivals and entertainment

Nepal is home to 700,000 overseas Indians. Here is where to find Indian food, festivals and entertainment there. For the Indian embassy and NRI services, see NRI services in Nepal.

Indian food

Indian food is everywhere in Nepal, from thali restaurants and sweet shops in Kathmandu to the dhabas of the Terai towns along the border. In Kathmandu's Thamel, Tulsi and Swarg serve Indian and Nepali meals.

Festivals and pilgrimages

India and Nepal share their great festivals: Dashain (Dussehra), Tihar (Diwali), Holi, and Chhath in the Terai. Pashupatinath in Kathmandu, the Janaki Mandir in Janakpur, Muktinath and Lumbini draw pilgrims from India all year. See the Nepal Tourism Board.

Culture and films

Hindi films are shown in Nepali cinemas alongside Nepali films. India's cultural centre in Kathmandu, run by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, holds classes and performances; see ICCR's list of Indian cultural centres.

Overseas Indian figures: Ministry of External Affairs, as of January 2026.