KATHMANDU: The Ghodejatra festival was observed at Tundikhel, Kathmandu with President Bidya Devi Bhandari as the chief guest on Friday.
The Nepali Army (NA) organized an event during which various stunts were performed while a guard of honor was presented to President Bhandari who is also the commander-in-chief of the NA.
On the occasion, the Head of the State awarded Lieutenant Shreebatsa Silwal and Captain Prabin Lamichhane, who stood first and second respectively in the musical rider competition. Similarly, Leelaraj Khadka and Roshan Kumar Shrestha were awarded for finishing first and second respectively in the show-jumping.
Vice-President Nanda Bahadur Pun, Acting Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs Bal Krishna Khand, among others also observed the equestrian-skills and performances as horse riding, bicycle race, drill ride, musical ride, Hungarain Post, and fire jump, among others.
Present on the occasion were the Acting Chief Justice, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, high-ranking officials of the government of Nepal, chiefs of security bodies, chiefs of constitutional bodies and other dignitaries.
Ghodejatra, the horse procession, is held every year in Nepali month of Chaitra as per lunar calendar. Today’s horse procession at Tundikhel was streamed live by various electronic and digital media.
Gamut of NA activities on the occasion in one of the biggest open spaces of the Kathmandu Valley equally regaled the bystanders.
Legend has it that the procession was started as a demon named Gurumapa heavily terrorized the children. To free the children of the fear of the demon and to offset the negative influence of the demon on children, a procession was initiated with a belief to trample the demon that resided in a tree located at the eastern-south corner of Tundikhel with the horse.
The NA has been organizing the event at Tundhikhel annually to keep up with the customs and traditions of Ghodejatra.
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