The Gai Jatra festival, also known as the Festivals of Cows, is a special day celebrated in the Kathmandu valley of Nepal. This is an annual festival that takes place during the month of Bhadra in the Nepali calendar.
The Gai Jatra festival holds importance in Nepali culture for several reasons. The main reason is that it allows individuals to pay tribute and honor to their loved ones who have passed away in the preceding year.
The activity of the festival, the procession with cows during Gai Jatra, carries important spiritual symbolism. According to Hindu mythology, it is believed that the cows guide the souls of the departed to the afterlife.
In addition, the festival gives the marginalized community, like LGBTQIA+, the opportunity to express their freedom. To learn about these interesting things about the Gai Jatra, continue reading the blog till the end.
Why is the Gai Jatra festival of cows celebrated in Nepal?
The Gai Jatra festival is celebrated in Nepal for various reasons. The main reason behind the celebration is to honor and remember loved ones who have passed away, particularly those who died in the preceding year.
Besides the main reason, there are cultural and emotional reasons too. The festival provides emotional consolation to grieving families. Participants can freely express their grief in a supportive environment. In addition, the cow is believed to guide the souls of the deceased to heaven.
The Gai jatra cow festival is an alternative to the costly rituals of Brishotsarga. Brishotsarga is a festival in which ox or bull is released to ensure the deceased’s soul found peace. Families with limited resources can participate in helping their loved ones without financial burden.
When is Gai Jatra 2024 celebrated?
Gai Jatra festival 2024 is celebrated in august 20this year. According to the Nepali calendar, the Gai Jatra festival in Nepal is celebrated on the 4th day of the dark fortnight in the month of Bhadra every year. And according to the Gregorian calendar, it typically falls in August or September.
Where is the Nepali festival of Gai Jatra celebrated?
The festival of cows is celebrated primarily in the Kathmandu valley of Nepal. The heart of Gai Jatra celebrations is Kathmandu. The atmosphere is lively with the parade of cows or the children dressed as cows, along with traditional music, dances, and humorous performances. Patan hosts a parade similar to the Gai Jatra Festival in Kathmandu.
The Gai Jatra Festival in Bhaktapur is also popular. The festival is known for its unique customs. The festival in Bhaktapur features a chariot procession and various traditional rituals. The people of the community engage in folk dances.
In addition, the Gai Jatra is also celebrated in Kirtipur. The participants dressed as gods and goddesses. The locals believe that the gate of heaven opens on this day, allowing the deceased souls to ascend to heaven.
Mythological origin of festival of Cows
The festival of Gai Jatra has both mythological and historical origins. Those origins are deeply intertwined with the cultural practices of Nepal. The festival holds great importance, especially among the Newar community of Kathmandu Valley.
According to Hindu mythology, the cow is considered a sacred animal that helps guide deceased souls. It is believed that those souls must navigate the afterlife and the cow serves as their spiritual vehicle. There is another story of Buddha that underscores the festival’s theme of confronting and finding solace in community support.
In the story, a grieving mother meets Lord Buddha after losing her son. In her desperation, she asks for a way to bring her son back to life. Then Buddha instructs her to collect mustard seeds from homes that have never experienced death. This journey reveals to her the universal nature of death, highlighting that it is an enevitable part of life.
Historical origins of Gai Jatra
It is believed that the festival was celebrated for the first time during the reign of King Pratap Malla in the 17th century. The king begins the festival to confront his queen after the tragic death of their son, Chakravartendra Malla.
The king invited the families who had lost their loved ones recently to participate in a procession, leading cows through the streets. This act was conducted to help the queen cope with her grief. It symbolizes the journey of the deceased to the afterlife and provides a communal space for mourning.
Evolution of Gai Jatra over time
The Gai Jatra festival history reflects a rich cultural tradition that has evolved over centuries, blending elements of grief, humor, and social commentary. Initially, the festival was celebrated to console the grieving queen after the death of his son.
Over time, the festival has evolved into a festival characterized by humor and satire. Participants use satire to comment on social and political issues. The main theme of honoring the dead remains the same, as these are some modern-day adaptations.
In modern time, people of various backgrounds participate in the event. In addition, the childrens dress as cows instead of parading live animals. By blending tradition with contemporary expression critique, the Gai Jatra reminds us of a cherished festival.
Traditional rituals and customs of Gai Jatra
The festival of Gai Jatra is rich in traditional rituals and customs. On the day of the celebration of the festival, families clean and decorate their homes. According to the traditional rituals, cow dung and red mud were used to purify their spaces. They also make gai jatra foods like Samay Baji, Choila (or Chhwela), Juju Dhau, and so on.
The center element of the festival that has been followed since ancient times is a cow procession. The cow is considered a sacred animal. Many families create a cow-like structure using bamboo and other materials to represent their deceased loved ones. During the festival, families who have lost their loved ones lead a cow or a child dressed as a cow through the streets.
During the procession of cows, the streets are filled with participants from grieving families. This procession gives them the strength to withstand the difficult times and support each other in their grief. Gifts and donations are also offered during the festival.
In addition, humour and satire in the social and political context transform the festivals into vibrant celebrations. This unique idea combines remembrance with joy. The unique blend of comedic expression, social commentary, and communal support reinforces the resilience and spirit of the Nepalese people.
The festival’s unique characteristics
The festival has unique characteristics like parades with cows, young boys dressing as cows, musical dances, traditional attire, and satirical performances. These unique characteristics make the festival unique from the other festivals.
- Parades with cows: the main element of the festival is parade with cows. In addition to the celebrations, the young childrens also dressup as cows and lead the parade in some places. The cow is considered a sacred animal and this practice is deeply rooted in Hindu tradition.
- Music, dance and traditional attire: During the procession, the streets are filled with the tunes and melodies of traditional musical instruments. The traditional dances like Ghintang Ghisi Dance, Makha Pyakhan, Kawana Pyakhan, Bhalu Naach / Pyakhan and Khichha Pyakhan make the parade more beautiful. In addition, traditional attire like Hakupatasi, masks and face painting, and deity costumes decorate the parade.
- Satirical performances: The satirical performances on social and political critique transform the experience of grief into a celebration of life. This unique approach allows the participants to reflect on mortality while holding on to joy.
- Food offering and community support: the food is important part of the event. The families prepare the offerings for the deceased and distribute the home-made foods to the participants.
How does Gai Jatra address contemporary social and political issues?
The Gai Jatra has evolved over time to address contemporary social and political issues through humour and satire. This method has been successful and addresses modern concerns about new-era society and Nepali politics.
Many actors, comedians and artists performs satirical performances. They use comedy skits, mimicry, and parody songs to humorously critique social problems and political leaders. Top politicians and celebrities frequently appear on the program.
In addition, the Gai Jatra Festival in Kathmanadu has become an occasion for marginalized communities like LGBTQIA+ to advocate their rights and promote inclusivity. The community celebrates the festival by holding parades to spread awareness about LGBTQIA+ issues in Nepal.
Tips for tourists attending the Gai Jatra Festival
- Plan your visits a few days before the main festival day to experience the pre-celebrations
- Kathmandu Durbar square is a popular spot to witness the colorful processions and cultural performances. You can also go patan and Bhaktapur to see the unique celebrations.
- Expect to see lively processions with people dressed in amusing costumes
- Be prepared for the crowds of both locals and tourists
- Dress modestly and respectfully and avoid wearing black
- Carry small denominations of Nepali rupees to offer as donations
- Be patient and understand the local customs and traditions
- Respect the privacy of grieving families and avoid taking photographs without their consent
- Book your accommodations in advance
Final words
Gai Jatra is an important cultural event in Nepal. The festival honors the deceased who have passed recently. The festival can be characterized by a procession of cows and various other activities, including satirical performances addressing social and political issues.
The festival remains an important part of Nepali tradition due to its cultural significance, adaptability, community bonding, incorporation of humour, national recognition, and role in tourism. Through the festival, people find resilience, connection, and joy.
