13th Day of National Mourning
On this 13th day of national mourning, Nepal remains united in grief. We remember every life lost, pray for those still missing, and stand with the families facing unimaginable loss.
Our deepest gratitude goes to all those working tirelessly in rescue, relief and recovery—the Government, security forces, health workers, volunteers, local authorities and international teams.
The confirmed death toll from catastrophic flash floods in northern Nepal has risen to 1,355, with 4,996 people still unaccounted for, according to government data released on Monday.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) said search and rescue teams had recovered 1,355 bodies from eight districts following the late-August floods. Chitwan recorded the highest number of fatalities with 363, followed by Nawalparasi East with 222 and Nawalparasi West with 221.
Of those still unaccounted for, 2,340 are from Nuwakot and 1,967 from Rasuwa. The figure also includes 589 foreign nationals and around 100 security and government personnel.
Emergency teams have rescued 13,396 people so far. More than 21,000 security personnel remain deployed in the worst-hit mountain areas, including 9,287 soldiers from the Nepali Army, 7,912 personnel from the Nepal Police and 4,203 from the Armed Police Force.
Krishna Janmashtami: Celebrating the Birth of Lord Krishna
A Night of Devotion, Music and Living Heritage in Nepal
Krishna Janmashtami, the sacred festival celebrating the birth of Lord Krishna, is observed with great devotion across Nepal. Temples and historic settlements come alive with prayers, bhajans, devotional music and traditional celebrations as devotees gather to honour Krishna, who is revered as a symbol of love, compassion, wisdom and righteousness.
In the Kathmandu Valley, Patan remains an important centre of Krishna worship and Newar cultural traditions. The centuries-old Keshav Narayan Temple at Patan Durbar Square continues to be associated with Krishna worship and traditional rituals. The revival of historic daily worship at the temple has also strengthened Patan’s living religious heritage.
The festival is traditionally marked by fasting, singing devotional songs, visiting temples and staying awake through the night until the auspicious moment of Krishna’s birth. Beyond its religious significance, Janmashtami offers visitors an opportunity to experience Nepal’s rich combination of faith, traditional music, architecture and community life.
This year, the festival also carried a poignant message of hope. During the rescue of two men trapped in the Trishuli 3A hydropower tunnel, one family described their survival on the day of Krishna Janmashtami as receiving “a new life,” giving the festival an especially emotional resonance in Nepal.
Krishna Janmashtami is more than a religious celebration—it is a reflection of Nepal’s enduring living heritage, where ancient traditions continue to connect communities across generations.
Gaijatra in Bhaktapur
In many cultures, grief is a private affair behind closed doors. But in the ancient city of Bhaktapur, grief is carried into the streets, shared, and ultimately transformed by the entire community.
Saparu, known elsewhere in Nepal as Gai-Jatra, is held every August to bid farewell to family members who have passed away over the last year. Rooted in the belief that the departed have journeyed onward to a better realm, it is not merely an act of mourning, but one of love and joyous release.
While the rest of the country observes this in a single day, Bhaktapur honors the cycle of life with an extraordinary 8-day celebration. Families prepare the Taha Macha, bamboo effigies dressed in the garments of the departed, and carry them through the city’s ancient routes. What begins in quiet remembrance gradually opens into Ghintang Ghisi dances, costumes, satire, feasting and collective joy.
From witnessing the making of the Taha Macha to walking the ancient routes and partaking in traditional Newari feasts, experiencing Saparu with The Nanee is a chance to understand and connect with Bhaktapur’s rich traditions and enduring sense of community.