Lumbini & the Buddha's Country · Tansen
Bhagwati Jatra, Tansen
भगवती जात्रा
Tansen's biggest festival, also called Sindoor Jatra: the chariot of the goddess Rana Ujeshwori Bhagwati is pulled through the steep streets amid clouds of vermilion, remembering Palpa's part in the Anglo-Nepalese War of 1814–16. It has been held since about 1820.
The Rana Ujeshwori Bhagwati temple stands by the Tansen Durbar square. It was built by Ujir Singh Thapa, Palpa's commander, as an offering to the goddess after Nepali forces held off the British East India Company in the Anglo-Nepalese War. The festival has been celebrated every year since 1877 in the Nepali calendar, about 1820 CE.
On the day after Krishna Janmashtami, the image of the goddess is placed in a wooden chariot and pulled through the town's lanes. Crowds throw sindoor, red vermilion powder, until the streets, the chariot and everyone near it are red, which is why many call it Sindoor Jatra. Music, drums and the shouts of the chariot pullers echo between the old Newar houses.
It falls in the monsoon, so expect rain and slippery lanes, but the festival shows Tansen at its fullest: families returning home, shops closed, and the whole town in the streets.
Tips
- Wear old clothes and cover your camera; vermilion powder stains and gets everywhere.
- Book a room early, as families and visitors from across Palpa fill Tansen's hotels.
- Watch from a doorway or balcony when the chariot climbs steep lanes; the crowd surges at those points.
Questions
When is Bhagwati Jatra in Tansen?
Bhagwati Jatra is held on the day after Krishna Janmashtami, which usually falls in late August or early September. The date follows the lunar calendar and changes every year, so check current status before you travel. It falls in the monsoon, so expect rain.
Why is it called Sindoor Jatra?
Sindoor is the red vermilion powder used in Hindu worship. During the festival crowds throw it over the goddess's chariot, each other and the streets, turning everything red. Because of this, many people in Palpa call the festival Sindoor Jatra.
What is the history of Tansen's Bhagwati Jatra?
The festival honours the goddess Rana Ujeshwori Bhagwati, whose temple was built by the Palpa commander Ujir Singh Thapa after Nepal's resistance to the British East India Company in the Anglo-Nepalese War of 1814–16. The jatra has been celebrated since 1877 in the Nepali calendar, around 1820 CE.
Is Bhagwati Jatra suitable for tourists?
Yes, visitors are welcome, and it is one of the best ways to see Tansen's community life. Expect crowds, vermilion powder, steep wet lanes and loud music. Keep cameras protected, wear shoes with grip and stay out of the chariot's path on slopes. Families with small children should watch from a safe spot.