Kartik Naach
कार्तिक नाच
October 17, 2026 – October 26, 2026 · Kartik, 2083 (culminates on Kartik Purnima) BS
Approximate — confirm closer to your travel datesPatan (Lalitpur)
Plan a trip around Kartik NaachHistory & origin
Begun in 1641 CE under King Siddhi Narasimha Malla to mark the completion of Patan's Krishna Mandir temple, Kartik Naach has been performed by hereditary Newar dance troupes in front of the temple's golden window for nearly four centuries, making it one of the oldest continuously performed dance-drama traditions in the Kathmandu Valley.
How it’s celebrated
Masked performers enact episodes from Vishnu's avatars — including Narasimha and Krishna — across a series of evening performances on the Kartik Dabali platform in Patan Durbar Square, drawing local audiences who follow the story cycle night by night through the month, culminating around Kartik Purnima.
Tips for visitors
A rare living link to 17th-century Malla-era court culture — check locally for the performance schedule if in Patan through Kartik, as dates and duration vary by year.
Related journeys — Cultural Experiences
Kathmandu Spiritual Starter
A compact three-day introduction to Kathmandu's spiritual side — a sunrise sacred-sites walk, a guided monastery meditation and a Newar heritage walk — for visitors who want depth without a full retreat.
Living Kathmandu
A five-day cultural and spiritual overview of the Kathmandu Valley, moving through Buddhist and Hindu traditions, Patan and Bhaktapur, at a slow, walkable pace.
Creative Nepal
A seven-day journey for writers, photographers and artists combining a creative practice with cultural immersion in Kathmandu and Pokhara.
Didn't find quite the right fit?
Any journey here can be adapted, or we can build one from scratch around what actually matters to you — the traditions, pace, dates, group size and budget. Tell us what you have in mind and our team will put together a curated proposal.
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