Gadhimai Festival

गढीमाई उत्सव

View on map
Religious & SpiritualBariyarpur
DatesDates TBACheck locally before booking
DurationAnnualEstimate from available data
CrowdMassiveAbout 5M people
Best forCeremony, pilgrimageGadhimai has been described as the world's
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: NPR
CategoryReligious & SpiritualFestival type
The story

Gadhimai Festival in Bariyarpur

The Gadhimai Festival is a Hindu gathering held every five years at the Gadhimai Temple in Bariyarpur, Bara District, historically involving large-scale animal sacrifice to the goddess Gadhimai. Dating to around 1759, it has drawn both millions of devotees and international protest over its scale.

About 160 kilometers south of Kathmandu, near the Indo-Nepal border in Bara District, the Gadhimai Temple hosts what has been called the world's largest animal sacrifice event, held once every five years since a tradition that reportedly began around 1759.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Gadhimai has been described as the world's largest single animal sacrifice event, with an estimated 250,000 to 500,000 animals killed during the 2009 gathering alone

02

The mystery stays covered

Its origin traces to a specific legend: a feudal lord named Bhagwan Chaudhary who dreamed he could win release from jail by offering blood sacrifice to the goddess Gadhimai, a story that has anchored the festival since roughly 1759

03

The city starts moving

The event has become a focal point of international animal rights debate, drawing intervention from figures including Brigitte Bardot, a Nepal Supreme Court order to end live sacrifice in 2019, and a temple trust announcement in 2015 that it would end the practice, none of which has fully stopped the ritual, which reportedly continued in both 2019 and 2024

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

Centered on worship of Gadhimai

Water and renewal

Living ritual

goddess of power

The sacred route

Living ritual

through animal sacrifice and offerings of coconuts

The local code

Living ritual

and red cloth

Tradition 5

Living ritual

observed every five years since approximately 1759 following the legend of feudal lord Bhagwan Chaudhary's dream of release from imprisonment

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA

Getting around

Base the route around Bariyarpur; confirm local transport, road controls or venue access close to the day.

What to wear

Modest clothing appropriate for a major outdoor religious gathering; be aware this is a physically intense event with graphic ritual sacrifice historically central to the observance, which...

Safety

Watch local behavior before photographing, filming, or entering sacred spaces.

Where to stay

Stay near Bariyarpur or a practical transport base if you want a simpler arrival and return.

Tickets/cost

Public ritual moments are often free, but donations, transport, or temple access may vary.

Language/currency

NPR

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map26.99 N, 85.06 EOpen in Google Maps

Bariyarpur, Madhesh Province, Nepal

Nearest airportKTM — Tribhuvan
TransportBase the route around Bariyarpur; confirm local transport, road controls or venue access close to the day.
Stay areaStay near Bariyarpur or a practical transport base if you want a simpler arrival and return.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Bariyarpur via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Bariyarpur, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for festival season.Compare faresFestival gearModest clothing appropriate for a major outdoor religious gathering; be aware this is a physically intense event with graphic ritual sacrifice historically central to the observance, which may be distressing for some visitors.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Nepal and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

We may earn a small commission from trusted travel partners at no extra cost to you.

FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Gadhimai Festival?

Gadhimai Festival is listed for Dates to be announced. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Gadhimai Festival take place?

The festival is listed in Bariyarpur, Nepal. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

Annual is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Bariyarpur, Madhesh Province, Nepal

How big is it?

Massive: 5000000

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLanimalequality.org
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA
Source statusOfficial source linked
Related festivals

Continue the route.

Photo pending

Fiesta de la Virgen de Caacupe

8 December 2026

Caacupe, Paraguay
Photo pending

Grand Magal de Touba

3 August 2026

Touba, Senegal
Photo pending

Romeria de la Virgen de los Angeles

1–2 August 2026

Cartago, Costa Rica
Photo pending

Sydney Royal Easter Show

19–30 March 2027

Sydney, Australia

Spotted something out of date? Submit a correction →