Culture & Heritage

Nepal's Spectacular Festivals

Explore the rich tapestry of Jatras across the Kathmandu Valley and beyond. From giant chariots to masked dances, experience the living history.

February 26, 2025
Maha Shivaratri (Pashupati Jatra)
Pashupatinath Temple, Kathmandu
One of the biggest Hindu festivals dedicated to Lord Shiva, involving massive processions and thousands of Sadhus.
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March 29, 2025
Ghode Jatra (Festival of Horses)
Tundikhel, Kathmandu
A grand horse parade and race performed by the Nepal Army to trample the demon Tundi.
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April 5, 2025
Seto Machindranath Jatra
Kathmandu (Ason, Hanumandhoka)
A three-day chariot procession of the White Machindranath, the deity of rain and health.
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April 14, 2025
Bisket Jatra (Biska Jatra)
Bhaktapur
The New Year festival of Bhaktapur involving a massive tug-of-war between the upper and lower parts of the town with a giant chariot.
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April 15, 2025
Sindoor Jatra
Thimi, Lalitpur
A vibrant celebration where devotees carry 32 palanquins and throw orange vermilion powder (sindoor) into the air.
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May 11, 2025
Rato Machindranath Jatra (Bunga Dyah Jatra)
Patan (Lalitpur)
The longest chariot festival in Nepal, dedicated to the God of Rain. The chariot is pulled through Patan over several weeks.
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June 1, 2025
Bhoto Jatra
Jawalakhel, Lalitpur
The grand finale of the Rato Machindranath Jatra where a jewel-studded vest (bhoto) is displayed to the public.
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August 10, 2025
Gai Jatra (Festival of Cows)
Kathmandu Valley
A festival to commemorate those who died during the past year, featuring processions of people dressed as cows and satirical performances.
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September 6, 2025
Indra Jatra (Yenya)
Kathmandu Durbar Square
The largest street festival in Kathmandu, featuring the chariot of the Living Goddess Kumari and masked dances like Lakhey.
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September 26, 2025
Sikali Jatra
Khokana, Lalitpur
A unique 5-day festival celebrated by the Newars of Khokana as an alternative to Dashain, featuring mask dances and animal sacrifices.
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October 25, 2025
Hadigaun Jatra (Kahi Nabhako Jatra)
Hadigaun, Kathmandu
Known as the 'Jatra found nowhere else,' it features unique upside-down chariots representing Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheswora.
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February 15, 2026
Maha Shivaratri
Kathmandu
2026 observance of the Great Night of Shiva at Pashupatinath.
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March 18, 2026
Ghode Jatra
Tundikhel, Kathmandu
Annual horse parade to drive away the demon's spirit.
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April 5, 2026
Seto Machindranath Jatra
Kathmandu
2026 chariot procession for the White Rain God.
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April 14, 2026
Bisket Jatra (New Year)
Bhaktapur
Main chariot pulling day and erection of the Lingo (ceremonial pole).
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April 15, 2026
Sindoor Jatra
Thimi
The orange festival of Thimi following the New Year.
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April 18, 2026
Rato Machindranath Jatra (Start)
Patan
The beginning of the month-long chariot procession for the 2026 season.
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June 1, 2026
Bhoto Jatra
Jawalakhel, Lalitpur
The 2026 display of the sacred vest marking the end of the Patan Jatra.
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June 29, 2026
Panauti Jatra
Panauti
A significant local chariot festival in the medieval town of Panauti.
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August 29, 2026
Gai Jatra
Kathmandu Valley
The 2026 festival of cows and remembrance.
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September 25, 2026
Indra Jatra
Kathmandu
The grand 2026 street festival and chariot procession of Goddess Kumari.
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Uniting Nepal Through Traditions

Maha Shivaratri (Pashupati Jatra) •Ghode Jatra (Festival of Horses) •Seto Machindranath Jatra •Bisket Jatra (Biska Jatra) •Sindoor Jatra •Rato Machindranath Jatra (Bunga Dyah Jatra) •Bhoto Jatra •Gai Jatra (Festival of Cows) •Indra Jatra (Yenya) •Sikali Jatra •Hadigaun Jatra (Kahi Nabhako Jatra) •Maha Shivaratri •Ghode Jatra •Seto Machindranath Jatra •Bisket Jatra (New Year) •Sindoor Jatra •Rato Machindranath Jatra (Start) •Bhoto Jatra •Panauti Jatra •Gai Jatra •Indra Jatra •
Maha Shivaratri (Pashupati Jatra) •Ghode Jatra (Festival of Horses) •Seto Machindranath Jatra •Bisket Jatra (Biska Jatra) •Sindoor Jatra •Rato Machindranath Jatra (Bunga Dyah Jatra) •Bhoto Jatra •Gai Jatra (Festival of Cows) •Indra Jatra (Yenya) •Sikali Jatra •Hadigaun Jatra (Kahi Nabhako Jatra) •Maha Shivaratri •Ghode Jatra •Seto Machindranath Jatra •Bisket Jatra (New Year) •Sindoor Jatra •Rato Machindranath Jatra (Start) •Bhoto Jatra •Panauti Jatra •Gai Jatra •Indra Jatra •
Maha Shivaratri (Pashupati Jatra) •Ghode Jatra (Festival of Horses) •Seto Machindranath Jatra •Bisket Jatra (Biska Jatra) •Sindoor Jatra •Rato Machindranath Jatra (Bunga Dyah Jatra) •Bhoto Jatra •Gai Jatra (Festival of Cows) •Indra Jatra (Yenya) •Sikali Jatra •Hadigaun Jatra (Kahi Nabhako Jatra) •Maha Shivaratri •Ghode Jatra •Seto Machindranath Jatra •Bisket Jatra (New Year) •Sindoor Jatra •Rato Machindranath Jatra (Start) •Bhoto Jatra •Panauti Jatra •Gai Jatra •Indra Jatra •
Maha Shivaratri (Pashupati Jatra) •Ghode Jatra (Festival of Horses) •Seto Machindranath Jatra •Bisket Jatra (Biska Jatra) •Sindoor Jatra •Rato Machindranath Jatra (Bunga Dyah Jatra) •Bhoto Jatra •Gai Jatra (Festival of Cows) •Indra Jatra (Yenya) •Sikali Jatra •Hadigaun Jatra (Kahi Nabhako Jatra) •Maha Shivaratri •Ghode Jatra •Seto Machindranath Jatra •Bisket Jatra (New Year) •Sindoor Jatra •Rato Machindranath Jatra (Start) •Bhoto Jatra •Panauti Jatra •Gai Jatra •Indra Jatra •
Indra Jatra •Gai Jatra •Panauti Jatra •Bhoto Jatra •Rato Machindranath Jatra (Start) •Sindoor Jatra •Bisket Jatra (New Year) •Seto Machindranath Jatra •Ghode Jatra •Maha Shivaratri •Hadigaun Jatra (Kahi Nabhako Jatra) •Sikali Jatra •Indra Jatra (Yenya) •Gai Jatra (Festival of Cows) •Bhoto Jatra •Rato Machindranath Jatra (Bunga Dyah Jatra) •Sindoor Jatra •Bisket Jatra (Biska Jatra) •Seto Machindranath Jatra •Ghode Jatra (Festival of Horses) •Maha Shivaratri (Pashupati Jatra) •
Indra Jatra •Gai Jatra •Panauti Jatra •Bhoto Jatra •Rato Machindranath Jatra (Start) •Sindoor Jatra •Bisket Jatra (New Year) •Seto Machindranath Jatra •Ghode Jatra •Maha Shivaratri •Hadigaun Jatra (Kahi Nabhako Jatra) •Sikali Jatra •Indra Jatra (Yenya) •Gai Jatra (Festival of Cows) •Bhoto Jatra •Rato Machindranath Jatra (Bunga Dyah Jatra) •Sindoor Jatra •Bisket Jatra (Biska Jatra) •Seto Machindranath Jatra •Ghode Jatra (Festival of Horses) •Maha Shivaratri (Pashupati Jatra) •
Indra Jatra •Gai Jatra •Panauti Jatra •Bhoto Jatra •Rato Machindranath Jatra (Start) •Sindoor Jatra •Bisket Jatra (New Year) •Seto Machindranath Jatra •Ghode Jatra •Maha Shivaratri •Hadigaun Jatra (Kahi Nabhako Jatra) •Sikali Jatra •Indra Jatra (Yenya) •Gai Jatra (Festival of Cows) •Bhoto Jatra •Rato Machindranath Jatra (Bunga Dyah Jatra) •Sindoor Jatra •Bisket Jatra (Biska Jatra) •Seto Machindranath Jatra •Ghode Jatra (Festival of Horses) •Maha Shivaratri (Pashupati Jatra) •
Indra Jatra •Gai Jatra •Panauti Jatra •Bhoto Jatra •Rato Machindranath Jatra (Start) •Sindoor Jatra •Bisket Jatra (New Year) •Seto Machindranath Jatra •Ghode Jatra •Maha Shivaratri •Hadigaun Jatra (Kahi Nabhako Jatra) •Sikali Jatra •Indra Jatra (Yenya) •Gai Jatra (Festival of Cows) •Bhoto Jatra •Rato Machindranath Jatra (Bunga Dyah Jatra) •Sindoor Jatra •Bisket Jatra (Biska Jatra) •Seto Machindranath Jatra •Ghode Jatra (Festival of Horses) •Maha Shivaratri (Pashupati Jatra) •