Editorial photo #13466302 Religion and Belief
Nepal Celebrates “Ghode Jatra” The Annual Festival Of Horses
A Nepali horseman parades a decorated horse in the ancient cityscape of Lalitpur, Nepal, on March 18, 2026, during Ghode Jatra, the Nepali festival of horses. King Sri Nivas Malla of Patan adopted the tradition in Patan to prevent locals from traveling to Kathmandu to see the horse procession. This festival, which has been practiced since the Malla regime (13th to 18th Century), has been preserved and continued into the 21st century by Walkhu Chibaha: Guthi, run by Maharjan. Members of the Guthi take turns riding the horse and touring the city annually on Ghode Jatra, keeping this ancient tradition alive. (Photo by Subaas Shrestha/NurPhoto)
