Kartik Naach

कार्तिक नाच

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Carnival & ParadePatan

DatesDates TBA · Usually AutumnCheck locally before booking

DurationAutumnEstimate from available data

Crowd-Public scale varies

Best forMasks, paradesKartik Naach is one of the few Newar

LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: NPR

CategoryCarnival & ParadeFestival type

The story

Kartik Naach in Patan

Kartik Naach is a centuries-old Newar dance-drama performed every year at Kartik Dabali in Patan Durbar Square, telling seventeen tales of the Hindu god Vishnu through masked, costumed performance. Started in 1641 by King Siddhi Narsingh Malla, it remains one of the Kathmandu Valley's oldest continuously staged theatrical traditions.

Every year in the Nepali month of Kartik, a platform in Patan Durbar Square called Kartik Dabali comes alive with one of the Kathmandu Valley's oldest surviving theatrical traditions.

Your trip starts here

What is special

The part that makes it specific.

The place changes

Kartik Naach is one of the few Newar performance traditions that can be traced to a specific royal founder and year: King Siddhi Narsingh Malla began it in 1641, and his son and grandson later extended its length from two nights to as many as twenty-seven

The mystery stays covered

The performance takes place before a golden window on Patan Durbar Square that is opened only for this event, and dancers dressed as Barahi, Ganesh, Shiva, and Krishna perform to live music from dozens of musicians

The city starts moving

Even after the 2015 earthquake left the square damaged, the dance-drama went ahead within months, a sign of how central it is to Patan's civic and religious identity rather than a purely spectator event

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

A Newar language musical theatre tradition performed by the Newar community of Patan

Water and renewal

Living ritual

preserved historically by the Kartik Naach Prabandhan Samiti and now by the Kartik Nach Preservation Committee since 2013

The sacred route

Living ritual

the dances and music are attributed largely to King Narsingh Malla himself

The local code

Living ritual

with only minor changes over the centuries

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually Autumn

Getting around

For Kartik Naach, plan transport around the exact Patan venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.

What to wear

Casual, comfortable clothing suitable for sitting on stone steps for extended periods; evenings in Kartik, which falls in October or November, are cool, so layers are advisable.

Safety

Keep valuables light, set a meeting point, and give processions room to move.

Where to stay

For Kartik Naach, stay near the part of Patan you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Tickets/cost

Many carnival moments are public, but confirm paid areas or stands before travel.

Language/currency

NPR

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map27.68 N, 85.31 E Open in Google Maps

Patan, Bagmati Province, Nepal

Nearest airportKTM — Tribhuvan

TransportFor Kartik Naach, plan transport around the exact Patan venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.

Stay areaFor Kartik Naach, stay near the part of Patan you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

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 Patan via local transport.Search routes Find a place to stayStays near Patan, close enough for the event-day route.Browse stays Find flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for festival season.Compare fares Festival gearCasual, comfortable clothing suitable for sitting on stone steps for extended periods; evenings in Kartik, which falls in October or November, are cool, so layers are advisable.Shop the kit Check visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Nepal and apply online.Check entry rules Travel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Kartik Naach?

Kartik Naach is listed for Multiple months · Autumn. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Kartik Naach take place?

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

How long should I plan for?

Autumn 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?

Patan, 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 URLntb.gov.np

Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →

SourceSource link available

Listed datesDates TBA · Usually Autumn

Source statusOfficial source linked

Spotted something out of date? Submit a correction →

Kartik Naach

Kartik Naach in Patan

The part that makes it specific.

The place changes

The mystery stays covered

The city starts moving

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Water and renewal

The sacred route

The local code

Essential information

When to go

Getting around

What to wear

Safety

Where to stay

Tickets/cost

Language/currency

Family friendly

Patan, Bagmati Province, Nepal

Your Trip Starts Here

Quick answers.

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

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