We have a few different events and tours scheduled while you visit Kathmandu, and we would love for you to join us. We also have access to excellent travel guides to help plan any other trips you would like to make while in Nepal. Please RSVP to attend any of the following events or trips.
Mehndi ceremony and afternoon tea at the Radisson Hotel Kathmandu at noon.
Mehndi, otherwise known as henna, is a paste associated with positive spirits and good luck. Held a day before the actual wedding, the Mehndi ceremony is a way of wishing the bride good health and prosperity as she makes her journey to marriage. It is a fun-filled, nostalgic sit-down ceremony for the bride, her cousins, friends, and others filled with laughter, songs, dances, and games as each sits down for a dollop of Mehndi over their hands and feet. Traditionally, it’s said that the darker the color of the Mehndi, the more love the bride will receive from their partner and in-laws.
What to wear at the mehendi ceremony?
You can wear floral Kurta’s (e.g., Esty stores women & men)
A sightseeing tour will depart at 9 am and return later in the evening.
White Gumba (White Monastery) is one of the most popular destinations in Nepal, also called Seto Gumba or Druk Amitabh Monastery. It is a Buddhist monastery in Nepal situated at the top of Druk Amitabh Mountain, located in the Nagarjun Municipality of Kathmandu District. It is located outside the ring road north of Swoyambhunath Stupa (Monkey Temple).
Trip to Swoyambhunath Stupa. This sacred pilgrimage site is also home to hundreds of monkeys considered holy to Tibetan Buddhists and Hindus. According to legend, Manjushree, the bodhisattva of wisdom, was in the process of raising the temple hill when these monkeys sprung from his hair. Swayambhunath means self-arisen and is derived from that legend.
Dinner in Thamel. Thamel has been the center of the tourist industry in Kathmandu for over four decades, starting from the hippie days when many artists came to Nepal and spent weeks in Thamel. It is considered the hotspot for tourism inside the Kathmandu valley.
Swayamvar ceremony, the main wedding event, will be at 11 am in Kathmandu.
The marriage ceremony kicks off with Swayamvar, which means ‘choosing the groom by the bride.’ The swayamvar ceremony begins with the bride circling the groom thrice while letting the water drip down from an ankhara (traditional water vessel) as she goes around. The priest applies red tika, a mixture of red vermilion, yogurt, and rice, to the forehead of the bride and the groom. Then, the bride and the groom exchange garlands made of doobo (a specific type of grass that does not dry, thus indicating the relationship will never break or dry) and rings.
Later the bride and groom are led to a mandap or canopy for lengthy rituals that, through the Vedic hymns and prayers, invoke the blessings of all Hindu gods and the support of every element under the sun that will have a role in the marital life of the couple. At the mandap, a series of rituals are performed one after another. Eventually, the groom applies sindoor (vermilion) to the bride’s sinudo (the partition of hair at the top of her forehead) with a holy cloth. The groom then ties tilhari, a necklace of beads and gold, around the bride’s neck. Under the Hindu tradition, the sindoor and tilhari signify a married woman. Finally, the priests pronounce them husband and wife.
What to wear at the Swayamvar ceremony?
My (Bishakha's) girlfriends will be receiving a sari from me just like the bridesmaid's dresses, and the men can wear a suit.
A sightseeing tour will depart at 9 am and return at 3 pm.
Bhaktapur is a city in Nepal known variously as the City of Culture, Living Heritage, Nepal's Cultural Gem, An open museum, and a City of Devotees. Bhaktapur is an ancient city renowned for its elegant art, fabulous culture, colorful festivals, traditional dances, and the indigenous lifestyle of the Newari community.
Patan-Lalitpur was long an independent city-state in its own right, and it retains a distinct identity to this day. At heart, this is an artistic city, and the name Lalitpur – ‘The City of Beauty’ – is richly deserved. This is the source of much of the celebrated fine metalwork that Nepal is famous for, and the architecture – all lavish temples and grand palaces – is some of the most beautiful in the country.
The main reception will take place at 7 pm at the Radisson Hotel Kathmandu.
What to wear for the cocktail reception?
Ladies can wear cocktail dresses, and men can wear suits.
What are Kathmandu, Nepal's COVID-related travel requirements?
Please see https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Nepal.html for the most recent details as regulations continue to evolve.
When/Where do I RSVP?
Please RSVP here by June 31st. In addition to the wedding, there are three other group events we've planned during the week.
If you have extenuating circumstances and need more time to RSVP, please let us know.
Are babies/kids welcome?
Yes, we'd love to celebrate with your whole family! Please let us know in your RSVP to ensure we have the necessary seating/food arrangements and prepare for any special requests.
What’s the weather like in Kathmandu?
November will be cooler, with a high of 73 degrees and lows of 47 degrees.
Where should I stay? Do you have a room block reserved somewhere?
Please see this page for information on accommodations at Radisson: https://www.radissonhotels.com/en-us/hotels/radisson-kathmandu
What is the recommended length of stay?
Guests recommended length of stay: 7-10 days.
Should I plan to rent a car in Kathmandu?
Cars are driven on the left side of the road (just like in the UK), and arrangements for rental vehicles can be made with a travel representative at the Radisson hotel.
Taxi available 24/7 just outside the hotel.