Nepal, Oct. 12 -- When Bhim Prasad Khatri of Chaurjahari, Rukum West, crossed the Jamunaha border into Nepalgunj on Friday morning, it felt as though Dashain had arrived. Returning home after four years away, he had savings from his labouring job in India's Himachal Pradesh and was eager to celebrate the festival with his family. "Spending time with my family matters more than money," he said. "I'll finally get to enjoy Dashain with them after four years."

Like Khatri, hundreds of Nepali migrant workers are returning from Indian cities to celebrate Dashain at home. Since the start of the festival season, traffic has increased at the Gauriphanta and Gaddachauki crossings in Sudurpaschim province and the Jamunaha crossing in Banke district...