KATHMANDU: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has extended best wishes on the occasion of Gaijatra, expressing hope that the festival brings comfort to grieving families and offers meaningful celebration through satire and cultural reflection.
In a message shared via social media, Prime Minister Oli stated, “May the families observing Gaijatra as a cultural tradition find relief from sorrow. May those celebrating it through satire enjoy healthy entertainment. Warm wishes to all for the Gaijatra festival!”
He noted that Gaijatra, which originated from Newar tradition during the medieval period, has been observed nationwide since the time of King Pratap Malla. “The festival is believed to have started to convey the universal truth that death touches every family. It was introduced as a means to transform grief into acceptance and to ease psychological suffering,” he said.
Highlighting its evolution over time, PM Oli remarked that the festival, initially intended to soothe the fear of death, has gradually embraced elements of satire and humor as a form of societal expression.
Gaijatra, an eight-day cultural festival celebrated from Bhadra Krishna Pratipada to Ashtami, is being observed today across the country, particularly in the Kathmandu Valley, with various traditional programs and performances.
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