Ubhauli and Udhauli 2026: Date, Meaning & Where to See It
The Kirat festivals of the east: Ubhauli in spring as herds move up to the hills, Udhauli in winter as they come down, both danced as Sakela.
- Next
- Usually in April–May, November–December
- Also called
- Sakela
- Earlier years
- 1 May 2026 · 4 December 2025 · 12 May 2025 · 15 December 2024 · 23 May 2024
Rai and Limbu (Kirat) communities form big circles to dance the Sakela/Sakewa, led by a shaman, to thank nature for the harvest and pray for the year ahead.
Village grounds across Khotang, Bhojpur, Dhankuta and Ilam fill with dancers; Kathmandu's Tundikhel hosts a large gathering too.
Where to see it
Halesi–Maratika Caves
Khotang, Koshi ProvinceLimestone caves sacred to Hindus as Halesi Mahadev, to Buddhists as Maratika, and to the Kirat people.
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Dhankuta
Dhankuta, Koshi ProvinceA tidy hill town of stone-paved lanes and old houses on a ridge between the Tamor and Arun rivers.
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Ilam Tea Gardens
Ilam, Koshi ProvinceNeatly clipped tea bushes rolling over the hills around Ilam bazaar, Nepal's first tea estate since 1863.
Read more →Quick answers
- When is Ubhauli and Udhauli in 2026?
- Usually in April–May, November–December. The exact date for the next one is not published yet.
- What is Ubhauli and Udhauli?
- The Kirat festivals of the east: Ubhauli in spring as herds move up to the hills, Udhauli in winter as they come down, both danced as Sakela.
- Where is the best place to see Ubhauli and Udhauli?
- Halesi–Maratika Caves, Dhankuta, Ilam Tea Gardens.
Other festivals
Dates from the public Holidays in Nepal calendar (Google Calendar), checked daily. Local festivals not in that calendar show their usual month; lunar dates can shift by a day locally.