Chandeshwori Jatra
चण्डेश्वरी जात्रा
Also known as: Chandeshwari Jatra, Chandeswari Jatra, Banepa Jatra, Chandeshwori Rath Jatra
Banepa's most important festival celebrating Goddess Chandeshwori's victory over the demon Chandasur, featuring a grand chariot procession.
Location
Banepa, Kavrepalanchok
Duration
3 days
Month (Local)
Baisakh
Month (AD)
April/May
Highlights
Grand chariot procession through Banepa's old city. Traditional Newar music and masked dances. Mata Puja and Kalan Daan rituals. Beautiful murals and architecture of the Chandeshwori Temple.
Tips for Visitors
Arrive early for the first day's chariot procession to get a good viewing spot. The streets of Banepa get extremely crowded during the jatra. Dress modestly when visiting the temple. Photography is generally allowed outside, but check for restrictions inside the inner sanctum.
Chandeshwori Jatra is the biggest religious event in Banepa, Kavrepalanchok, dedicated to Goddess Chandeshwori, an incarnation of Parvati. The festival commemorates the victory of the goddess over the demon Chandasur, who could only be defeated by a woman. The three-tiered Chandeshwori Temple, a masterpiece of Newar architecture, serves as the focal point for the celebrations.
The festival begins on Baisakh Purnima (the full moon of the first Nepali month) and lasts for three days. The highlight of the first day is the grand chariot procession, where the idol of the goddess is placed in a massive chariot and pulled through the narrow, historic streets of Banepa by hundreds of devotees. The second day, Mata Puja, is dedicated to ritualistic worship for prosperity, while the final day, Kalan Daan, involves offerings and sacrifices as a sign of gratitude. The atmosphere is electric with traditional Newar music, masked dances, and deep communal devotion.
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