Among the various chariot festivals held in Nepal Mandala, Bakhumado Jatra is also an important festival. The main festival of Bakhumado Jatra takes place at Vishnu Devi, near the Bakhu river, located in the southwest of Nepal Mandala. At this time, since the festival also takes place in seven villages of Kirtipur area, this festival is also called Nhaygam Jatra (Seven Villages Festival). During this festival, all seven villages come to worship at Vishnu Devi in Bakhu, and the chariots of four villages are also brought here.
During Nhaygam Jatra, chariot festivals of Indrayani, Vishnu Devi, Bal Kumari, and Bhairav take place in Kirtipur, Panga, Nagam, Bwasigam, Satungal, Machhegam, and Lhwankha. During this festival, Indrayani's Jatra takes place in Kirtipur, and Vishnu Devi and Bal Kumari's Jatra take place in Panga. Similarly, Vishnu Devi's Jatra takes place in Machhegam and Satungal. Bal Kumari's Jatra takes place in Nagam, while Bhairav's Jatra takes place in Bwasigam and Lhwankha.
The main procession of Nhaygam Jatra runs from Margashukla Ashtami (Bakhumado Ashtami) to Dashami. During the festival, it is customary to bring Vishnu Devi and Bhairav of Satungal, Machhegam, Lhwankha, and Bwasigam to Bakhu, while Indrayani of Kirtipur, Vishnu Devi and Bal Kumari of Panga, and Bal Kumari of Nagam only hold their festivals in their respective places.
The Homa performed at Bakhu, Dip, and Indrayani temples during Nhaygam Jatra is also considered important. During Nhaygam Jatra, the people of the seven villages celebrate the festival grandly. This involves making local alcohol (Thwon Thuyegu), Chhwela Bhu, inviting guests home for feasts, annual worship of Guthi, changing Guthi turns, changing deity turns. Similarly, during this festival, Lakhepa dance also takes place near Indrayani. During Nhaygam Jatra, there is also a tradition of carrying a sword as a representative of the king.
