Gaijatra being observed today
Summary
Gaijatra, a cultural festival observed mainly in the Kathmandu Valley and other parts of Nepal, is celebrated with fun, humor, and satire to commemorate deceased loved ones and reflect social issues.
Key Points
- Gaijatra is an eight-day cultural festival starting in the month of Bhadra, commemorating those who passed away within the last year.
- During the festival, cows or people dressed as cows parade through streets receiving offerings believed to aid deceased souls' heavenly journey.
- The festival originated during King Pratap Malla's reign to console his grieving queen through public humor and satire.
- Gaijatra was banned in 2017 BS but revived in 2033 BS and is observed widely by the Newar community across various Nepalese towns and cities.
