July 28, 2025

Ghode Jatra, or the Festival of Horses, is one of Kathmandu’s most thrilling public spectacles, blending ancient spirit-warding rituals with military pageantry. Held every spring at the Tundikhel parade ground, the festival features horse races, acrobatic displays, and high-ranking officials in attendance—including, historically, the King or the President of Nepal.

The origins of Ghode Jatra are steeped in local mythology. It is said that the festival was first celebrated to trample the restless spirit of a demon believed to haunt the area around Tundikhel. In an effort to keep the spirit at bay, horses were made to gallop across the open field—thus beginning what would become one of Kathmandu’s most anticipated festivals.

Today, the Nepali Army takes charge of the event, presenting precision drills, stunts, and high-speed chariot races. Crowds gather from all corners of the valley, and the skies often echo with helicopter flyovers and the rhythmic beat of military bands. While the event has a ceremonial feel, the energy is one of celebration, power, and spectacle.

Meanwhile, in the old Newar neighborhoods of Kantipur, the local traditions continue in parallel. Deities from various neighborhoods are carried out in procession to visit Tundikhel, a spiritual assertion that this ground still belongs to the people and their gods. This part of the celebration is called Pahachahre, which involves community feasts and honoring ancestors.

Ghode Jatra thus straddles the boundary between the ancient and modern, the spiritual and state-sanctioned. It is as much about protecting the city’s soul as it is about showcasing national strength—and remains a uniquely Kathmandu tradition that ties the capital’s present to its ritual past.

Time of Year: March or early April (determined by lunar calendar)

Location: Tundikhel, Kathmandu

Duration: 1 day (main event), but related rituals continue in neighborhoods

What to Expect: Horse races, military stunts, chariot parades, government presence, festive atmosphere in the city

Interesting Facts:

  • Considered the fastest and most exciting festival in the valley
  • Believed to ward off evil spirits still lingering in Tundikhel
  • Ties into the broader Newar festival Pahan Charhe, celebrated in surrounding neighborhoods