Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Festivals of Nepal - Gai Jatra

Gai Jatra

This festival falls in the month of August. Newars call this festival as "Saparu". This is the festival of cows. On "Saparu" or Gai Jatra, families who have lost a member during the past year parade a decorated cow around the city. Others dress up kids as cows or ascetics and walk in procession along the festival route. The sacred animal helps departed souls to cross the cosmic ocean in their journey into the after-world . The festival route passes by the Durbar Square, and it is a good place to observe the procession.

There is also a gay aspect to the festival. Humorous and satirical items are included to help bereaved families get over their grief. There are street shows making fun of government officials. People also roam the city dressed up like lunatics. Newspapers bring out special "mad" editions on the day.

In Kathmandu, the bereaved families proceed along the festival route individually. In Patan, all the participants first gather at the Durbar Square and then move out together. The celebration in Bhaktapur is the most interesting one. Tall bamboo contraptions, wrapped in cloth and topped with horns fashioned of straw, are carried around the city in memory of the dead. "Saparu" is also celebrated in other towns of the Kingdom where there are large Newar communities.

Now, there are many volunteers helping out during this festival. There are many organizations providing with the juice or water to the tired people moving around.

This day was brought by Late King Pratap Malla. His wife was very sad at the demise of his son and could not get out of it. So Pratap Malla started this festival by saying that not only their son died, but there are many people whose relatives have died.


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