Wedding traditions of Bhaktapur
A medieval Newar town whose streets still hold the Newar marriage rites in courtyard houses.
Bhaktapur is a living heritage town. The Newar bride and groom are often accompanied by traditional bands of drums and flutes, and the family house, the chowk, is the setting for the rites.
A wedding here
A Newar wedding includes the Bhoj, a feast on the floor in rows, the Swayambar rite, and a procession through the narrow streets with traditional music. The feast has dishes such as beaten rice and meat served on leaf plates.
Where weddings happen
In family courtyards, community halls, and open squares such as Taumadhi Tole.
The season and the calendar
The date is set by an astrologer. Winter and spring are favoured.
Wedding customs of Bhaktapur
Also part of it, and being written: Newar people (The community that keeps the town.), Bhoj (A Newar feast.), Dhime music (The drum music played in processions.).
A wedding trail idea for Bhaktapur
- Durbar Square The town's main square.
- Taumadhi Tole A square with a tall temple.
- Potters' Square A square of pottery makers whose goods are used in rites.
- Dattatreya Square An old square with craft shops.
Written by the EveryShaadi desk with AI assistance. Opening hours, venues and wedding-season dates change; check locally before travelling. Customs differ from place to place and family to family. If this is your tradition and we have it wrong, tell us.
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Photo credits on this page
The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.
- Ihi: Dirghaman Chitrakar, Public domain, source