Gai Jatra

Gai Jatra, one of the most popular Jatras (parade) in Nepal, which is full of dance, music, mirth, and laughter, holds religious importance. The festival of cow, Gai Jatra, is one of the exciting festivals celebrated mainly in the Kathmandu Valley, which commemorates the dead ones. The young ones from the families with the deceased member of the past year dress as a cow and be a major attraction of the parade.

 

The festival falls either in July or August depending upon the lunar calendar and is a major attraction of Newars. The festival is important as it teaches everyone to not forget the good deeds of the dead ones in the family and recall them at least once a year. Cow, the main goddess animal of Hinduism, is worshipped on this day. The cow is considered as the goddess of wealth and worshipping cow brings comfort in the family and makes sure the lost ones are safe and the prayers are reached to them.

 

On this special day, people dress differently and be part of the parade. The festival, despite being a religious one, welcomes every other people who want to be part of it. It has been an exciting event for youth and various performances are done on this day. Newars, who are rich in culture and food, celebrate the day with families, relatives, and neighbors. After the worshipping is over, there is a huge feast with several food items like Samaye Baji (Newari meal), and local beverage.

 

The Jatra is an eight-day long one that mainly takes place in Bhaktapur and is one of the ancient festivals that originated from the time of Malla Kingdom. It is believed that Malla Queen mourned for a long time after the demise of her son. To console her, the King called every family who has recently lost a loved one and showed the queen how everyone else there had lost a loved one too. Therefore, on this day, the streets are full of joy and fun while remembering the lost ones.

 

Along with Gai Jatra, there is another parade that takes place in Nepal, on the same day, known as Pride Parade. People of the LGBTIQA+ community and other supporters of this community dress differently, carry several slogans, and demand for their rights and acceptance in the society. On this day, they express themselves freely and demand unity of the same community. It is an exciting event which is gaining a lot of attraction and mass every year.

 

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