Kathmandu. The traditional cultural festival ‘Gaijatra’, which is celebrated for eight days every year from Bhadra Krishna Pratipada to Ashtami, is being celebrated today with various programs organized across the country, including the Kathmandu Valley.

In memory of relatives who have passed away within a year, cows or people dressed as cows are paraded around their respective areas on this day, and devotees donate milk, fruits, bread, curd, as well as food and money to them. It is believed that by doing this, people who have died throughout the year will cross the Baitarani River by holding the tail of the cow.

It is a historical fact that this festival began when King Pratap Malla ordered his queen, who was devastated by the loss of her son, to ‘show the people that they should organize a Gaijatra and parade the city in the name of the deceased in their families.’ Since the queen could not be calmed down by this, it is said that the practice of comedy and satire was started as per the order to organize various types of farces and satire programs.

The custom of the Gaijatra, which has been in practice since the time of Pratap Malla, to pass through the royal palace at Hanuman Dhoka, is still in force. Although the Gaijatra is celebrated in various cities of the country, its special splendor is seen in the valley. During this festival, which is celebrated until the day of Bhadra Krishna Ashtami, farces, satirical performances against social evils, dances and songs of the Ramayana are also sung in memory of the deceased.
Gaijatra as a satire against evils
Gaijatra was also banned after the royal ‘coup’ of 2017, saying that it satirized the Panchayat system. Since 2033 BS, the Nepal Royal Academy of Sciences has started celebrating the Gaijatra again as a festival with tableaux and comedy.
Humor and satire are used to educate those who do things indiscriminately and to highlight the meaninglessness. During the festival, the samples of paddy and rice from the Golden Age displayed in Patan and the books written in gold and silver letters displayed in Thamel, Kathmandu are considered to be particularly spectacular.

Nowadays, the existing distortions and anomalies in society are exposed on the occasion of Gaijatra. Various programs are also organized in a public entertaining and satirical manner. Satirical issues are also published in newspapers and magazines covering social vices.

The Gaijatra festival is celebrated with great pomp in the Kathmandu Valley and in cities where there is a special presence of citizens of the Newar community, including Banepa, Dhulikhel, Panauti, Bahrabise, Trishuli, Dolakha, Khotang, Bhojpur, Chainpur, Ilam, Dharan, Biratnagar, Birgunj, Hetauda, Pokhara.

Comedians also organize special programs on this occasion. The government has declared a public holiday in the Kathmandu Valley today. (RSS)