Gai Jatra is a festival of merriment, laughter, dancing, and singing. It is a cow festival held in the Kathmandu Valley in remembrance of loved ones who have passed away. Family members of the deceased from the previous year send people, mostly children, to the festival to parade through the streets dressed as cows. The festival often takes place in July or August.
Gai Jatra Festival Date
- 31 August 2023
Gai Jatra is a time to mourn loved ones and also to find comfort. The word "Gai" means "cow" in English. In Hinduism, the cow is considered to be the goddess of wealth. The real purpose of celebrating this festival is to express grief together and find solace in knowing that one's loved ones are safe.
The day is also celebrated with a gay parade and a large number of people wearing eccentric attire. The festival lasts for eight days in Bhaktapur. The festival has its roots in the Malla period. The Malla Queen is said to have been grief-stricken for a long time after the unexpected death of her son. In an effort to comfort her, the king asked every family who had lost a loved one to come out in a procession to show the queen that they were not suffering in silence. This is why there is so much laughter and joy as the procession moves through the streets.
Best Places To Visit for Gai Jatra Festival Photography around Kathmandu.
- Kathmandu - Asan
- Bhaktapur Durbar Square.
- Bungmati