Gai Jatra is a word composed of two words. ‘Gai’ means cow and ‘Jatra’ means procession. Cow is a national animal of Nepal. Cow is regarded as the goddess of wealth in Hindu religion. Gai Jatra is a procession of cows. This festival is celebrated to commemorate the death of people in the year. It is celebrated in Kathmandu Valley. Mostly, Newar community follows this festival. It is said that, Gai Jatra is celebrated to decrease the memory and sadness of death people. Gai Jatra is one of the most popular festivals in Kathmandu Valley. It is celebrate in Patan, Bhaktapur and Kirtipur.
Festival
Gai Jatra is a festival which gives relief. It enables people to accept the reality of natural process that no everyone lives for forever. They accept the reality of death. This festival heals the sorrow and grief a little. People see the cow possession and they realize people die. We are not alone in the county who lost their loved ones and family.
Date of Festival
Gai Jatra is in month of Bhadra in Hindu calendar. The festival falls on July/August. The date is set according to the Nepali Era calendar. It falls on month of Gunla (the first day of dark fortnight). This year Gai Jatra is on August 19, Monday (2019).
How is Gai Jatra celebrate?
Gai Jatra is a festival of enjoyment, laughter, mirth, dancing and singing. The festival was start by King Pratap Malla. Member from every family who had death in the recent year must participate in a procession. The procession is conduct on the streets of their own area of village or a ground. They leave their cow on the streets.
If cow is not available young boy kids are sending. Boys are dress as cow. They consider a fair subtitle. They start a tradition by leading a cow. A cow is dress up in funny costumes. They are appearing in funny make ups. Modern way of celebration added various flavors to festival. Boy tries to be as same as cow and walk like cow. They act of like eating grass. They conduct comedy shows, and dramas too. Cow asks some money as (bheti). It is say that giving them some pleasure is like taking bless from Goddess cow.
Reason behind Celebrating Gai Jatra
Gai Jatra is festival start celebrating by King Pratap Malla. King Pratap lost his young son (Chakrabartendra). His son had an unfortunate death. His mother (wife of King Pratap Malla) went in great misery. She couldn’t accept the truth that she looses her young son. He was second eldest son five Sons’. Chakrabartendra was trample by elephant. King was unable to see his wife in such condition. He tried a lot to make queen smile again. After millions try king couldn’t success. He announce that whoever could make queen smile would be reward adequately.
Then, He decided to build Rani Pokhari. The king filled the beautiful pond with water of holy rivers. He requested Queen to take bath in the pond, that she could sanctify herself a bit more. He called cow to start the procession from the home where recent member have death. Cow came with different costumes and acts. The procession gave queen temporary smile. She came to knew that death is natural process and has a big relief. She realized she is not only one who loosed loved ones.
Hence, King Pratap Malla start celebrating the day each year till now it is celebrating still.
.