Jyapunhi Jatra of Panauti: Wonderful festival tourism product of Nepal Open Access

Authors

  • Lok Nath Dulal 1 ,  Radha Adhikari 2 Surya Prasad Lakoju 3
Published online: 16 Jun 2025

Abstract

Purpose - This study examines Jyapunhi Jatra, a significant yet underrepresented intangible cultural heritage and festival tourism product of Panauti, Nepal. The research aims to explore its cultural relevance, celebration practices, and potential for tourism development.
Methodology/Design/Approach - Using a qualitative approach with analytical and descriptive research design, the study draws on both primary data (interviews, observations) and secondary sources.
Findings - Jyapunhi Jatra, held annually during Jestha’s full moon, embodies Panauti’s indigenous cultural identity through unique rites, processions, and customary practices. Despite its rich heritage value, the festival remains underutilized in the tourism sector.
Originality/Value - This paper fills a gap in the documentation and promotion of Jyapunhi Jatra by highlighting its potential as a vibrant cultural tourism asset. It contributes to broader efforts to integrate intangible heritage into sustainable tourism strategies.

Keywords:
Jyapunhi Jatra involving communities means and materials processes and procession rites and rituals tourism product

References

Agarawal, B.S. (1964). Prachina Bharatiya Lokdarshan, Ahamabad: Gyanodaya Trust.

Anderson, M.M. (1988). The Festivals of Nepal. Calcutta: Rupa Paperback.

Bowdin, Glen, A.J., Allen, J, O’ Toole, W., Harris, R. & Macdonnel, I. (2011). Events Management. London: Routledge. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9780080964317

DoI (n.d.).Tantative World Heritage Sites of Nepal. Govt. of Nepal, Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Department of Archaeology.

Dulal, L.N. (2022). Prospects of Promoting Festival Tourism: A Case Study of Khame Jatra in Bhaktapur. Nepalese Culture (A Peer- Reviewed Journal (Vol. XV- 67-85, 2022/10/10), Kathmandu: Central Department of Nepalese History, Culture and Archaeology, TU, ISSN: 2091- 1165, DOI: https://doi.org/10.3126/nc.v15i.48516: pp. 1-22. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3126/nc.v15i1.48516

Dulal, L.N. (2079 BS). Purbamadyakalin sahar Panautiko aitihasik tatha samskritik mahatwa (Historical and cultural significance of Panauti an early medieval city), Nepal Samkritik Sampada Anka. Kathmandu: Department of Information and Communication, Govt. of Nepal, 52, 1 (239), 45-58.

Dulal, L. N., & Singh, S. (2024). Mahalaxmi Jatra: An Amazing Festival Tourism Product of Lubhu, Nepal . Nepalese Culture, 17(1), 12–32. https://doi.org/10.3126/nc.v17i1.64400. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3126/nc.v17i1.64400

http://www.hamropanauti.com.np/panauti

ILO (2009). Abhyashma adhibasi janajati adhikar. Kathmandu: International labour organization.

Khanal, S. (2010). Panauti dig Seeks New Light on Medival Nepal, Republica, Daily English News Paper, March 14 Kathmandu: Nagarik Publication.

Lakoju, S.P. (2078 BS). Panauti. Panauti: Sabita Kumari Shrestha.

Levy, R. I. (1992). Mesocosm, Hinduism and the Organization of a Traditional Newar city in Nepal. New Delhi: Motilal Banarasidass Publishers.

Majapuyria, T. (1981). The festivals of Nepal, New Delhi: S. Chand & Company.

Page, S.J. & Connel, J. (2014 ). The Routledge Handbook of Events. London: Routledge. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203803936

Pradhan, R. (2053 BS ). Panautiko samskritik sampadako ek adyayan (a study of cultural heritage of Panauti). Banepa: Banepa Nagar Palika.

Regmi, D. R. (1966). Medieval Nepal (Vol-II). Calcutta: Firma, K.L. Mukhopadya.

Sharma, B.N. (1978). Festivals of India. New Delhi: Abhinava Publication.

Sharma, J.L (1983). Neolithic tools from Nepal. Ancient Nepal. Journal of the Department of Archaeology. (75):1-12.

Shinde, K. D. (2010). Managing Hindu festivals in pilgrimage sites: Emerging trends, opportunities, and challenges. Event Management, (14): 53-67. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3727/152599510X12724735767598

Smith, M. K. (2003). Issues in Cultural Tourism Studies. London: Routledge. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203402825

Tamrakar, T. K. (2069 BS). Panautika Prachin Kathaharu-1 (Ancient Legendaries of Panauti 1). Panauti: Panauti Sahitya Samaj.

Ulak, B.S. (2012). Heritage tourism in Panauti. The Gaze, Journal of tourism and hospitality. 4(1): 64 -82.

Vajracharya, D.V. (2030 BS). Lichhavikalaka Abhilekha (Inscriptions from Lichchhavi Period). Kirtipur: CNAS, TU.

Permission is granted subject to the terms of the License under which the work was published. Permission will be required if your reuse is not covered by the terms of the License.

How to Cite

Dulal, L. N., Adhikari, R. ., & Lakoju, S. P. . (2025). Jyapunhi Jatra of Panauti: Wonderful festival tourism product of Nepal. Journal of Rural Tourism , 4(2). https://doi.org/10.70310/jrt.2025.04021266

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.