KATHMANDU: Gaijatra, a cultural festival celebrated in the Kathmandu Valley and other parts of the country, is being observed today with various programmes featuring humour, satire and traditional performances.
The eight-day festival begins on the first day of the waning moon in the month of Bhadra (Bhadra Krishna Pratipada) and concludes on Ashtami, according to the lunar calendar. Gaijatra is observed to commemorate those who have died during the past year.
Traditionally, cows—or people dressed as cows—are paraded through the streets, while devotees offer them milk, fruits, beaten rice, traditional bread, curd, grains and money. Such offerings are believed to help departed souls on their journey to the afterlife.
The origin of Gaijatra is traced to the reign of King Pratap Malla, who introduced the festival to console his grieving queen following the death of their son during a smallpox epidemic. To ease her sorrow, the king encouraged people to stage humorous and satirical performances in public, demonstrating that death is a universal human experience.
Besides the Kathmandu Valley, Gaijatra is also celebrated in Banepa, Dhulikhel, Panauti, Barhabise, Trishuli, Dolakha, Khotang, Bhojpur, Chainpur, Dharan, Biratnagar, Birgunj, Hetauda and Pokhara, particularly among the Newar community.
The government has declared a public holiday in the Kathmandu Valley today on the occasion of Gaijatra.
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