Gai Jatra Festival | Gai Jatra festival in Nepal

Gai Jatra Festival in Nepal.

Gai Jatra Festival is a celebration of singing, dancing, laughing, and joy. The cow festival is held in Kathmandu Valley to commemorate loved ones who have passed away. Family members of the previous year’s deceased send people costumed as cows to march through the streets as part of the event. In most years, the event takes place in July or August.

Gai Jatra is a time to commemorate and comfort those who have passed away. In English, the word “Gai” means “man’s cow.” In Hinduism, the cow is respected as the goddess of wealth. The actual motive for commemorating this event is to share sadness and get consolation in knowing that their loved ones are safe.

History of Gai Jatra.
When King Pratap Malla‘s infant son died in the 17th century, Gai Jatra was born. The queen was overcome with grief as a result of her son’s tragic death and cried all day and night. The king was heartbroken to see his lover in such a bad condition, and he made every attempt to better her circumstances. However, all of her efforts have been in vain, and she continues to spend her days wallowing in misery.

Following the attempts, the Monarch, a parade in which one representative from each family who had lost a person that year would take part.

Gai Jatra.

Gaijatra Festival

So, on this day, he encouraged everyone to dress up in a wild and humorous style with colourful decorations; and he granted freedom of expression to troll anybody with witty comments and anything improper. Every kind of sarcasm and buffoonery was acceptable. This procession went through the royal palace’s main gates, and the king emphasized to the queen that death is a usual occurrence and that many people, including ourselves, are grieving the loss of a loved one.

The parade’s highlights included a cow procession, drum-stick music and dancing, funny jokes, impersonation of high-ranking officials, and masked dance. After that queen ultimately smiled and accepted her son’s death. The king gave himself the name of Gai Jatra, which includes humour, impersonation, and sarcasm.

What is the significance of Gai Jatra?

Gaijatra Festival in Nepal

Such as, the family of the dead sends a cow for the funeral procession. So, in the morning, the neighbours congregate to pray that the cows are clean. The cows by putting Tika on their bodies and foreheads and decorate them with garlands. The march of the cows began with a parade in various sections of the city in the Kathmandu valley. Cows aren’t easy to come by in the city these days, so the family’s young sons dress up as cows and celebrate the holiday.

Especially, on this day, people participate in a variety of cultural programs. People donate food, presents, and money to the cattle owners or cowboys as the parade goes through the street. They believe that walking in this direction will bring them good fortune in the coming days. In adjacent temples and streets, young people are active with joyful music, while older folks sing holy melodies. Kathmandu Street appears to be busier and more crowded. The Gai Jatra festival lasts for eight days, although the first and second days are the most important.