2nd Nov. 2025
With so much steady rain over the last few days here, I'm reminded of Manang’s vibrant and high-spirited Yartung "HORSE RACES, one of the most exciting and culturally rich festivals in the Nepalese Himalayas; held every year around the August (during our monsoon but dry there) full moon, the Yartung Festival marks the end of summer and the completion of the harvest season. Rooted in Tibetan Buddhist traditions, it celebrates the bond between humans and horses - once the lifeline of this remote mountain land. The word “Yartung” comes from Tibetan, where “Yar” means summer and “Tung” means festival, symbolizing joy, renewal, and gratitude for a fruitful season. For three to four days, the normally quiet villages of Upper Manang — including Manang (3519m), Khangsar (3756m), Bhraka (3475m), Pisang (3300m), and Tanki (4856m) — come alive with music, color, and motion. The air fills with the sound of laughter, horse bells, and the rhythmic beating of drums as villagers, young and old, gather on the wide open plains between Bhraka and Manang; cheered on by locals n visitors who come to witness these thrilling horse races. The riders — bold men aged between 16 and 60 — dress in colorful traditional attire, their sashes fluttering in the wind as they gallop across the rugged terrain. Their horses, adorned with bright fabrics, tassels, and bells, seem to share in the excitement, kicking up dust beneath the snow-capped peaks of Annapurna (8091m) and Gangapurna (7455m). The races test not just speed but also precision and courage — one of the most iconic moments comes when riders must pick up a khata (ceremonial silk scarf) from the ground while riding at full gallop, a feat demanding perfect balance and nerve. Beyond the races, Yartung is a time for music, dance, and devotion. Villagers visit local monasteries, receive blessings from monks, and perform traditional rituals to honor Lord Buddha and the protective deities of the Himalayas. The evenings come alive with folk songs, circle dances, and feasts where traditional dishes and local drinks like chang and arak flow freely. Women greet returning riders with food and sagun — a ceremonial mix of curd, egg, and fish — symbolizing good fortune. While the world of Manang has changed — roads now connect what were once isolated mountain hamlets — the Yartung Festival continues to hold its charm and significance. It remains a living expression of heritage, community spirit, and deep respect for nature and tradition. For travelers, witnessing Yartung, which is also held in Upper Mustang, is like stepping into a world where time slows down, and culture, courage, and celebration blend into one unforgettable Himalayan spectacle. I guess now for the sake of tourists, a short horse race is enacted every evening in Manang village itself (see YouTube).
Morning Tweet - The race, like the mountain, demands respect, preparation, and an indomitable will.
Good Morning!!!!