Kartik Naach begins in Patan today, continuing centuries-old tradition of divine dance and devotion

Lalitpur, October 27

The historic Kartik Naach, one of the Valley’s oldest and most culturally significant festivals, has begun at Patan Durbar Square, drawing large crowds of devotees, locals, and tourists to witness a performance that has been staged annually for over three centuries.

Organised by the Kartik Naach Preservation Committee (KNPC), the traditional dance-drama will be performed from October 27 (Kartik 10) to November 5 (Kartik 19) at the Kartik Dabali in Mangalbazaar, Patan. The performances start every evening at 7 pm.

The festival, also known as Katti Pyakha, was initiated in the 17th century by King Siddhinarsingh Malla of Patan. It was conceived as both a religious offering and a theatrical expression of faith, primarily depicting the divine victory of Lord Vishnu’s Narsingha Avatar over the demon king Hiranyakashipu.

A legacy of art and devotion

According to historians, Kartik Naach was first performed to dispel a bad omen said to be hovering over the Malla kingdom. Siddhinarsingh Malla, a devout follower of Lord Bishnu, commissioned the dance instead of performing a human sacrifice, as advised by his royal priests.

Since then, the festival has evolved through successive generations. His son Shreeniwas Malla added seven days of satirical and educational plays, while his grandson Yog Narendra Malla introduced two additional dramas — Ushaharan and Madhavanal. Historically, the full performance would last nearly a month during the Malla period, excluding the three days of Tihar.

After the establishment of democracy in 1951, the duration of the dance was shortened to just two days. However, following the creation of the Kartik Naach Preservation Committee, efforts were made to revive the festival. Since then, the performances have been extended to eight and later twelve days, reviving its cultural grandeur.

The 2025 schedule

This year’s Kartik Naach will run for ten days, showcasing different mythological episodes each evening. The schedule announced by the KNPC is as follows:

Each evening’s performance combines traditional dance, drama, and music, performed by local artists who have inherited the art through generations.

A living example of Newa artistry

Cultural scholars note that Kartik Naach is not just a religious ritual but a reflection of the Malla-era synthesis of art, literature, and devotion. The performances combine elements of classical dance, music, and ancient Sanskrit-based drama, making it one of the most elaborate cultural events in Nepal.

Every evening, the Dabali transforms into a vibrant open-air stage. As the dev ganas perform divine scenes of creation, cosmic battles, and victory of good over evil, the audience cheers with devotion, awaiting the climax where the Narsingha Avatar slays Hiranyakashipu.

As in centuries past, the performance ends with applause and prayers — a symbolic reminder that evil, once again, has been defeated for the year.