Namobuddha Festival

नमोबुद्ध उत्सव

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Religious & SpiritualNamobuddha
DatesDates TBACheck locally before booking
DurationAnnualEstimate from available data
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forCeremony, pilgrimageNamo Buddha is one of the three most
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: NPR
CategoryReligious & SpiritualFestival type
The story

Namobuddha Festival in Namobuddha

The Namobuddha Festival, or Namo Buddha Mela, is an annual pilgrimage held in November at Panauti, honoring the nearby stupa where an early incarnation of Buddha is said to have sacrificed his body to save a starving tigress and her cubs. It draws pilgrims from Nyingma, Kagyu, Sakya, and Gelug Buddhist traditions.

Fifty-two kilometers southeast of Kathmandu, in the hills above the old town of Panauti, stands a stupa built around one of the most enduring stories in Buddhist tradition.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Namo Buddha is one of the three most important stupas and pilgrimage sites in the Kathmandu Valley, and its founding legend, a prince's self-sacrifice to feed a starving tigress and her cubs, is among the most widely known Jataka tales in Buddhist tradition

02

The mystery stays covered

The stupa houses relics believed to be the prince's bones, and the annual Namo Buddha Mela draws practitioners across four major Tibetan Buddhist lineages, Nyingma, Kagyu, Sakya, and Gelug, a breadth of participation matched by few other single pilgrimage sites in Nepal

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

Rooted in the Jataka tale of Prince Mahasattva's self-sacrifice

Water and renewal

Living ritual

revered across Nyingma

The sacred route

Living ritual

and Gelug schools of Tibetan Buddhism

The local code

Living ritual

and centered on the Namo Buddha stupa and the adjacent Thrangu Tashi Yangtze Choling monastery of the Karma Kagyu tradition

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA

Getting around

Travel via Kavre/Panauti or Dhulikhel routes, allowing extra time on festival days.

What to wear

Modest, respectful clothing appropriate for a Buddhist pilgrimage and monastery site; sturdy footwear for the uphill walk from Panauti through wooded terrain.

Safety

Keep voices low near prayer areas, ask before photographing people closely, and do not treat lamps or offerings as props.

Where to stay

Stay near the part of the city you will actually use, with a simple return route after the main event.

Tickets/cost

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

Language/currency

NPR

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map27.56 N, 85.63 EOpen in Google Maps

Namobuddha, Bagmati Province, Nepal

Nearest airportKTM — Tribhuvan
TransportTravel via Kavre/Panauti or Dhulikhel routes, allowing extra time on festival days.
Stay areaStay near the part of the city you will actually use, with a simple return route after the main event.

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 Namobuddha via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Namobuddha, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for festival season.Compare faresFestival gearModest, respectful clothing appropriate for a Buddhist pilgrimage and monastery site; sturdy footwear for the uphill walk from Panauti through wooded terrain.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

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Namobuddha Festival?

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

Where does Namobuddha Festival take place?

The festival is listed in Namobuddha, 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?

Date announcement pending. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Namobuddha, Bagmati Province, Nepal

Is it family friendly?

unknown

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 URLAwaiting confirmation
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
Listed datesDates TBA
Source statusDate announcement pending
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