Kathmandu, Aug. 29: A parade of cows or people dressed as cows is taking place as part of the Gaijatra festival, observed in memory of relatives who have passed away within a year.
As per tradition, people taking part in the festival donate milk, fruits, bread, bitten rice, curd, as well as food and money to the cows in the parade. There is a religious belief that helping the cow helps the deceased relatives to reach heaven by holding the tail of the cow.
Based on this belief, Gaijatra parades have been taken out in places including Basantapur, Asan, Indrachowk, Bangemudha, Lagan, Ombahal, Teku, Tripureshwor, Kshetrapati, Thamel, Bagbazar, Dillibazaar, Jayabagishwari, Chabahil, Gokarna, Sankhu, Tokha and Kirtipur in the capital.
The traditional cultural festival Gaijatra, which is celebrated for eight days every year from Bhadra Krishna Pratipada to Ashtami, has begun across the country today with various programs being organized.
According to historical facts, this festival is believed to have started when King Pratap Malla, asked everyone who had lost a member in the past one year to come out in a parade to help console, the Queen, who was distraught over the loss of her son.
The custom of passing the parade through the royal palace at Hanumandhoka during the Gaijatra, which has been in practice since the time of Pratap Malla, still continues.
During the Gaijatra, there are comedy shows, satirical performances against social evils, dances and songs, and even sad songs from the Ramayana are sung in memory of the deceased.
This year, however, comedy shows and other satirical programs have not been organized to mourn the loss of thousands of people who lost their lives due to floods in the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli rivers.