Gai Jatra, the 'festival of cow' that is marked by homour and parody, was observed across the country on Friday.
Teenage boys wearing funny costumes participating in the Gai Jatra festival in...
On the occasion, the families who have lost a member during the year parade around the city with a decorated cow. Many kids disguise themselves as cows or ascetics and walk publicly in a procession along the festival route in a merry.
The festival was initiated by king Pratap Malla to assuage his queen upon the death of their son.
According to the religious scriptures, 'gai' or 'cow' helps departed souls cross the cosmic ocean in their journey into the after-world. Cows are sacred animals in Hinduism.
There is also a comical aspect to the festival. Humorous and satirical street shows of the people in power are performed in major towns of the country. Many newspapers also publish special editions with humorous and satirical articles marking the Gaijatra festival. In this festival, irregularities of the society are exposed through satirical means.
The people, especially of the Newar community have been observing Gaijatra festival since the Malla period to commemorate the loss of their family members by going around the town with masked faces and idols of cows.
The government has declared public holiday in Kathmandu to mark the festival. nepalnews.com
