Yartung festival

The Yartung Festival is a lively and colorful celebration held mainly in Upper Mustang, including places like Muktinath, Lo Manthang, and Jomsom. It is an important cultural event among the Thakali, Gurung, and Tibetan Buddhist communities. The word “Yartung” means “the end of summer”, and the festival marks the end of the monsoon season and the beginning of the harvesting period.

Key Highlights of the Yartung Festival:

Horse Racing

• The most exciting part of the festival is the horse race, where skilled riders—often young men—compete on horseback.
• Riders show off their speed, balance, and control, sometimes performing acrobatic stunts while riding.
• Horse racing symbolizes strength, bravery, and celebration, especially among the mountain communities.

Traditional Dancing and Singing

• Locals perform folk dances in groups, dressed in traditional clothes.
• Songs passed down through generations are sung, often about love, nature, and the community.
• Dances are usually accompanied by traditional instruments like the damaha (drum) and madal.

Spiritual and Cultural Significance

• The festival is closely connected to Buddhist traditions, with monks performing rituals and blessings.
• It is believed to bring good fortune, safe journeys, and a bountiful harvest.
• People also visit local monasteries and temples during the festival.

Festive Atmosphere

• The entire community comes together, wearing their best traditional attire.
• Local food and drinks such as chyang and raksi are shared among friends and families.
• It’s a time of joy, socializing, and cultural pride, with games, storytelling, and music filling the air.

When is it celebrated?

• The Yartung Festival is usually celebrated in August, just before the start of the harvest season.
• The timing may vary slightly by location and according to the Tibetan lunar calendar.