The Boudha Tamang Kalyan Guthi is set to organize the National Buddhist Timal Jatra on Chaitra 29 (April 11), a day before the full moon, at the Boudhanath Stupa a UNESCO World Heritage Site. According to Janamangala Lama, the president of the organizing committee, the sacred festival will witness devotees staying awake throughout the night in remembrance of their ancestors. Pilgrims will light lamps and conduct special prayers at the Gurudwara in a spiritually rich environment.
This culturally significant jatra is expected to draw large participation from the Tamang communities of Kavrepalanchok’s Timal region, as well as from Makwanpur, Lalitpur, Nuwakot, Sindhupalchok, and various parts of the Kathmandu Valley. Additionally, Tamang devotees from India, Bhutan, and Myanmar are also anticipated to take part in the celebration.
The tradition of the Timal Jatra dates back to ancient times and is observed with the intention of ensuring eternal peace for the souls of the deceased. Lama highlighted that this ritual has deep historical roots. As per popular legend, in the year 1819 B.S. (1762 A.D.), the last Tamang king of Timal, Rinzhil Darje Bal, officially declared Chaitra Purnima as a royal festival and dispatched his subjects to observe the jatra.
Around 60,000 devotees from Nepal and abroad are expected to participate in the spiritual fair. Recognized as one of the most important and ancient festivals of the Tamang community, the Timal Jatra holds special religious and cultural importance.
During the jatra, Tamangs from the Timal region gather at the sacred Boudhanath Stupa to offer prayers and perform rituals in honor of their departed ancestors, which is why the festival came to be known as the “Timal Jatra.” The event not only preserves the ancient traditions of the Tamang community but also contributes significantly to cultural tourism in the Kathmandu Valley, attracting pilgrims and cultural enthusiasts from across borders.
