Mahalaxmi Jatra
महालक्ष्मी जात्रा
Balambu's grand 'Laa Tii Mar' festival following Nepal Era New Year, where Ganesh and Mahalaxmi chariots are danced through the streets by nine Guthis in bare feet.
Location
Balambu, Chandragiri, Kathmandu
Duration
3 days
Month (Local)
Kartik
Month (AD)
October/November
Next celebration
Nov 15 – Nov 17, 2026
In 194 days
Highlights
Ganesh and Mahalaxmi chariot procession danced through the streets barefoot. Nine Guthi groups organizing all rituals by traditional rotation. Kumari puja with tantric offerings. Communal feast of chhoyala, thakha, and raksi (Laa Tii Mar).
Tips for Visitors
Balambu is about 8 km southwest of Kathmandu city center. The festival falls on Muh Asthami — eight days after Nepal Era New Year (Kartik Shukla Asthami). Confirm the exact date each year from local sources. This is a guthi-organized community event; visitors should follow participant guidance.
Mahalaxmi Jatra — locally known as Laa Tii Mar (named after the ritual foods: laa for meat, tii for broth, mar for rice) — is the most important festival in Balambu, a traditional Newar town in Chandragiri Municipality on the southwestern edge of the Kathmandu Valley.
The festival is held on Muh Asthami, the eighth day of the bright fortnight of Kartik, marking it as the first major celebration following Nepal Era New Year (Nhu Dan). Nine Guthi groups organize the entire event by traditional rotation, each responsible for specific ritual duties.
The centerpiece is the dual chariot procession: Ganesh's chariot leads, followed by the Mahalaxmi chariot, both danced through Balambu's streets to traditional Newar music. All participants must walk barefoot throughout the procession. The Kumari (living goddess) is worshipped by Guthi members at the monastery, adorned with a garland of dried buffalo intestine — a distinctly tantric ritual element. Natyeshwar is also propitiated as part of the day's worship sequence. A government Dware (representative) performs official worship at the Mahalaxmi temple.
The festival culminates in communal feasting of chhoyala (spiced meat), thakha (meat jelly), and raksi (local spirit) — the 'Laa Tii Mar' trinity that gives the festival its popular name.