Yartung Festival

The Yartung Festival is celebrated throughout Mustang—especially in Lo Manthang and Muktinath—every August or September. It lasts about three days and is marked by horse races, dancing, and drinking among the locals. The highlight of the festival is the horse-racing competition, in which both men and women participate. In the local language, Yartung means the end of the summer, and the festival is a joyful farewell to the season. By that time, farmers have finished harvesting their crops and have stored the cereals at home.

The Yartung Festival is also a religious and social occasion. It involves offerings to Buddha, blessings from the village chief, and respect being shown by younger people toward senior citizens. These rituals are believed to bring good fortune and ensure an auspicious year ahead.