Kathmandu: The traditional Gaijatra or cow festival is being observed in the three cities of Kathmandu Valley and some other places outside the valley amidst fun, gaiety, humour, satire and entertainment.

The festival beginning on the first day of the waning moon of the month of Bhadra lasts for a week.

During this time honoured tradition, people of all ages in the guise of cows and lunatics go round the city wearing odd costumes to commemorate those who died during the past year.

Family members of those who died during the past year offer fruits, bread, beaten rice, curd and money to those participating in the procession including the cows.

As the saying goes, the festival derives its name from the religious belief that the deceased during their journey to heaven cross the river by holding onto the tail of a cow.

This festival is believed to have started during the reign of King Pratap Malla who in a bid to appease his queen much grieved at the death of her son in smallpox epidemic, ordered his people to organize humour and satire programmes in various comic postures.

This tradition has been given continuity in the form of the Gaijatra festival during which people also give vent to pent-up feelings towards social and political anomalies, human follies and other contemporary affairs through comic skits, cartoons and the like.