Gaijatra is a historical, religious and cultural festival celebrated mainly by the Newar community of Nepal. It is celebrated every year on the day of Bhadra Krishna Pratipada, the day after Janai Purnima.
This festival is celebrated for the peace and salvation of the souls of relatives who have passed away throughout the year. According to tradition, it is believed that the departed soul can easily reach heaven by crossing the Baitarani River by holding the tail of a cow. Therefore, cows or small children are dressed as cows and paraded around the city.
This festival is believed to have started to console the queen who was grieving after the death of Chakravartendra Malla, the son of Malla King Pratap Malla, at a young age. The king had ordered the townspeople to organize a Gaijatra in the name of the deceased person from their homes to show the queen that she was not alone in losing a relative. To bring a smile to the queen’s face, the king had them perform various humorous and entertaining tableaux, which later became a tradition.
This Gaijatra festival is celebrated with special enthusiasm in Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Patan, as well as in places where the Newar community lives in various parts of the country. The Ghintanghisi and Tahamacha dances performed in Bhaktapur and Pokhara are its main attractions. This festival is celebrated from today until Krishna Janmashtami. Gaijatra competitions have also been held continuously in Pokhara for the past few years.
On this occasion, artists and the general public present real satire and farce on distortions, anomalies, politics and contemporary issues. Gaijatra is known as a festival that gives a unique message of turning grief into celebration, laughter and self-strength.
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