Gai Jatra festival being observed

August 19, 2005
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The Gai Jatra or the ‘cow festival’ is being observed across the Kingdom Saturday. The festival lasts for a week.

On this time-honored tradition, 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 way.

Children disguised as lunatic celebrating Gaijatra, the traditional festival to commemorate those who died during the past year at Basnantapur Durbar Square, Saturday.

Children disguised as lunatics celebrating Gaijatra, the traditional festival to….
According to religious scriptures, ‘gai’ or ‘the cow’ helps departed souls to cross the cosmic ocean in their journey into the after-world. Cows are sacred animals in Hinduism.

There is 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.