Madhav Narayan Festival

माधव नारायण उत्सव

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Religious & SpiritualSankhu/Shalinadi
DatesDates TBA · Usually JanuaryCheck locally before booking
Duration1 dayListed event span
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forCeremony, pilgrimageMadhav Narayan Festival highlights the
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: NPR
CategoryReligious & SpiritualFestival type
The story

Madhav Narayan Festival in Sankhu/Shalinadi

The Madhav Narayan Festival is a month-long Hindu pilgrimage in Sankhu centered on worship of Madhav Narayan, a form of Vishnu honored during the Nepali month of Magh. Devotees take daily ritual baths in the Salinadi River, running alongside the related recitation of the Swasthani Brata Katha text.

Vishnu carries different names in different months of the Hindu lunar calendar, and in the Nepali month of Magh, spanning roughly mid-January to mid-February, he is worshipped as Madhavnarayan.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Madhav Narayan Festival highlights the Vaishnava half of a devotional tradition that blends worship of Shiva and Vishnu into a single monthlong observance

02

The mystery stays covered

Madhavnarayan is the name given to Vishnu specifically during the month of Magh, since Vishnu is worshipped under different names in each of the twelve lunar months, and the festival's daily ritual bathing in the Salinadi River at Sankhu is dedicated to him

03

The city starts moving

The practice sits at the intersection of two major Hindu traditions, Shaivism and Vaishnavism, in a single riverside town, drawing devotees from Brahmin and Chhetri communities in growing numbers alongside the Newar families who have observed it longest

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

A Newar and pan-Hindu observance centered on Vishnu worship under the name Madhavnarayan during the month of Magh

Water and renewal

Living ritual

practiced through daily river bathing at Sankhu's Salinadi River and running in parallel with the recitation of the Swasthani Brata Katha text through the same lunar month

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually January

Getting around

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

What to wear

Modest clothing suited to cold-water river bathing in January and February, with warm outer layers for the pre-dawn walk to the river; many devotees change into simple, easily washable...

Safety

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

Where to stay

Stay near Sankhu/Shalinadi 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 map27.70 N, 85.32 EOpen in Google Maps

Sankhu/Shalinadi, Bagmati Province, Nepal

Nearest airportKTM — Tribhuvan
TransportBase the route around Sankhu/Shalinadi; confirm local transport, road controls or venue access close to the day.
Stay areaStay near Sankhu/Shalinadi 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 Sankhu/Shalinadi via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Sankhu/Shalinadi, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for January.Compare faresFestival gearModest clothing suited to cold-water river bathing in January and February, with warm outer layers for the pre-dawn walk to the river; many devotees change into simple, easily washable clothing for the bath itself.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 Madhav Narayan Festival?

Madhav Narayan Festival is listed for Past edition: 3 January 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Madhav Narayan Festival take place?

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

How long should I plan for?

One day 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?

Sankhu/Shalinadi, 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 URLenglish.ratopati.com
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually January
Source statusOfficial source linked
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