Jatra of Nepal

09/04/2026

07/04/2026

The Dolakha Machindranath Jatra is a nine-day chariot festival celebrated by the Newar community in the ancient city of Dolakha. While the main deity, Machindranath (or Bugdeu in the local dialect), is famously known as the God of Rain, the story behind its presence in Dolakha is one of religious diplomacy and trade history. 

The Legend of Its Origin
Unlike the original Rato Machindranath in Patan (brought from Assam to end a 12-year drought), the Dolakha version was established to bring the deity’s blessings to the local community and traders. 

* Arrival from Bungmati: Legend states that in 1575 B.S. (roughly 505 years ago), during the reign of King Nandadev Singh, a small eight-inch replica of Rato Machindranath was brought from Bungmati (Kathmandu Valley) to Dolakha.
* The Sacred Mission: Under the orders of Shri Gurudev Bajracharya, the deity was transported using a young girl from Bungmati to help facilitate the divine transition. It was then consecrated in a temple in the Dwakulunga Tole of Dolakha.
* A Merchant’s Devotion: During this era, Dolakha was a major trading hub between Tibet and the Kathmandu Valley. Merchants from Patan and Bhaktapur living there wanted to continue worshipping the rain god in their new home, leading to the establishment of the local festival

Cultural Significance & Traditions
The festival is unique due to the geographic challenges of Dolakha and the involvement of indigenous groups.
* The Thami Connection: To ensure the festival’s sustainability, King Basudev of Dolakha granted land to the Thami community of Lapilang in 1650 B.S. under a Guthi (trust). To this day, the Thamis are responsible for bringing wood, bamboo, and wild garlands to construct the chariot.
* Navigating Steep Terrain: The chariot pulling is remarkable because of Dolakha’s steep, narrow, stone-paved uphill roads, which require immense community effort to navigate.
* Universal Veneration: Machindranath is worshipped as Avalokitesvara by Buddhists and as an incarnation of Shiva by Hindus, reflecting the deep religious harmony of the region

07/04/2026

The Dolakha Machindranath Jatra
is a nine-day chariot festival celebrated by the Newar community in the ancient city of Dolakha. While the main deity, Machindranath (or Bugdeu in the local dialect), is famously known as the God of Rain, the story behind its presence in Dolakha is one of religious diplomacy and trade history.

The Legend of Its Origin
Unlike the original Rato Machindranath in Patan (brought from Assam to end a 12-year drought), the Dolakha version was established to bring the deity’s blessings to the local community and traders.

* Arrival from Bungmati: Legend states that in 1575 B.S. (roughly 505 years ago), during the reign of King Nandadev Singh, a small eight-inch replica of Rato Machindranath was brought from Bungmati (Kathmandu Valley) to Dolakha.
* The Sacred Mission: Under the orders of Shri Gurudev Bajracharya, the deity was transported using a young girl from Bungmati to help facilitate the divine transition. It was then consecrated in a temple in the Dwakulunga Tole of Dolakha.
* A Merchant’s Devotion: During this era, Dolakha was a major trading hub between Tibet and the Kathmandu Valley. Merchants from Patan and Bhaktapur living there wanted to continue worshipping the rain god in their new home, leading to the establishment of the local festival

Cultural Significance & Traditions
The festival is unique due to the geographic challenges of Dolakha and the involvement of indigenous groups.
* The Thami Connection: To ensure the festival’s sustainability, King Basudev of Dolakha granted land to the Thami community of Lapilang in 1650 B.S. under a Guthi (trust). To this day, the Thamis are responsible for bringing wood, bamboo, and wild garlands to construct the chariot.
* Navigating Steep Terrain: The chariot pulling is remarkable because of Dolakha’s steep, narrow, stone-paved uphill roads, which require immense community effort to navigate.
* Universal Veneration: Machindranath is worshipped as Avalokitesvara by Buddhists and as an incarnation of Shiva by Hindus, reflecting the deep religious harmony of the region

06/04/2026

Bajrayogini jatra sankhu

03/04/2026

The Tudal Devi Jatra, or Gahana Khojne Jatra (Jewel Search Festival), is a centuries-old Newari tradition from Handigaun, Kathmandu, reenacting a myth where Goddess Tudaldevi lost her jewelry while swimming in Ghana Pokhari. It occurs annually on Chaitra Shukla Ashtami, where chariots from Baluwatar and Naxal meet to symbolically search for the lost jewels.

Key Elements of the Behind Story:

The Myth of Lost Jewelry:
Legend tells that four goddess sisters—Tudal Devi (Chandol), Mahalaxmi (Naxal), Manamaiju (Balaju), and Nuwakotdevi—were bathing in an ancient “ocean-like” lake, now Gahana Pokhari. Tudaldevi lost her valuable jewelry in the water.

The Search:
As it grew late, Nuwakotdevi and Manamaiju returned home, leaving Tudaldevi to search for her ornaments. Her sister, Mahalaxmi, stayed behind to help search and keep watch, a move commemorated by her chariot accompanying Tudaldevi’s today.

The Festival Rituals:
Chariot Procession: The idols of Tudal Devi (Baluwatar) and Mahalaxmi (Naxal) travel through the ancient city of Handigaun, with devotees pulling them.

Gahana Khojne (Searching the Jewel):
Upon reaching the Gahana Pokhari pond, the goddess’s chariot is brought near the water, and men enter the water, circling it three times, pretending to search for the lost jewelry.

Red Mud Stop:
The chariot pauses at homes decorated with red mud, where locals pay respects and offer items to the goddess.

Cultural Significance:
This, one of the oldest festivals starting from the Licchavi period, represents a blend of mythological lore, community togetherness, and the preservation of Newari culture.
The festival brings to life the story of a dramatic, frantic search that resulted in the goddess’s prolonged stay in the area, a story still told through the community’s devotion.

02/04/2026

Trishna maju : Bara pikayegu

02/04/2026

Trishna Maju - Bara pikayegu

28/03/2026

The Living Goddess Kumari of Kathmandu (Yen) visits Lagan, specifically the Lagan Bahal area, during the Seto Machindranath Jatra (Janabaha Dyah Jatra). She travels in her palanquin to watch the festival, notably during the 3rd or 4th day of the chariot procession to offer blessings and Darshan.

This visit is a key component of the 3-day Seto Machindranath chariot procession, which brings the deity from Seto Machindranath Temple to Lagan.

The ceremony takes place at the historic Lagan area, where the Kumari returns to her official residence (Kumari Chhen) after the event.
She appears at Lagan, usually in the evening, during the Jatra festivities in March/April The event is a,major attraction for locals and visitors to receive blessings from the Living Goddess

18/03/2026

Ghodejatra

During Ghode Jatra (the horse festival) in Kathmandu, the Living Goddess Kumari is brought out from the Kumari Ghar in a palanquin to Tundikhel to witness the horse-racing parade, which is intended to banish the demon Tundi. She acts as an honored guest and observer of the ritualized horse parade and festivities.

Key Roles and Observations During the Festival:

Procession: The Kumari is carried from her house to the festival venue to watch the events, symbolizing her participation in the community’s celebration.
The Parade: She observes the horse parade and the race, which is historically aimed at trampling and scaring away the spirit of the demon Tundi, who lived in the area.
Significance: Her presence represents a blessing for the event, which aligns with Newar community traditions during the Pahachare festival period.