There always seems to be a festival somewhere in the Kathmandu Valley. Some are national holidays that empty the city as families travel home; others belong to a single neighbourhood and its temple. For a filmmaker they are a gift: colour, music, ritual and people at their most open.
How to experience a festival respectfully
- Ask a local friend or guide what the festival means before you go.
- Keep a respectful distance from rituals and never block a procession.
- Arrive early, stay late — the quiet moments after the crowds leave are often the most beautiful.