Ghode Jatra
घोडेजात्रा
Kathmandu's dramatic horse racing festival at Tundikhel, where galloping horses and military displays are believed to trample the demon Gurumapa and keep evil at bay.
Location
Tundikhel parade ground, Kathmandu
Duration
1 days
Month (Local)
Chaitra
Month (AD)
March/April
Highlights
Horse racing and cavalry charges across Tundikhel. Nepal Army trick riding and motorcycle stunts. Presidential review of the military parade. Festive atmosphere with street food vendors and family picnics.
Tips for Visitors
Arrive early to get a good viewing position along the Tundikhel perimeter — the best spots fill up fast. Bring sun protection as there is little shade. Photography is excellent during the cavalry charges. Check local media for exact timing, as the schedule varies yearly. The event is free and open to all.
Ghode Jatra (the Horse Racing Festival) is one of Kathmandu's most thrilling and unusual celebrations — a day of horse racing, military parades, and acrobatic displays at Tundikhel, the vast open parade ground in the heart of the city. The festival is believed to celebrate the victory over the demon Gurumapa, whose body is said to lie buried beneath Tundikhel. The thundering of horses' hooves is meant to keep the demon suppressed and prevent him from rising to terrorize the valley.
The Nepal Army organizes the main events: cavalry charges across the field, trick riding, motorcycle stunts, and a formal parade reviewed by the President (formerly the King). The best riders compete in races, and the spectacle of uniformed horsemen galloping at full speed across the historic ground — with the Dharahara tower and Kathmandu skyline as backdrop — is genuinely thrilling.
The festival has roots in both Hindu mythology and Newar folk tradition. In Newar neighborhoods, a parallel celebration takes place: families bring out images of their household deities, and special feasts are prepared. In Patan and Bhaktapur, smaller horse processions and displays also occur. The day is a public holiday, and Tundikhel fills with families picnicking, vendors selling street food, and children playing.
Ghode Jatra typically falls the day before Chaitra Dashain (the smaller spring Dashain), adding to the festive atmosphere across the valley.
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