When did the Gai Jatra in Nepal start?
About Gai Jatra in Nepal Holiday
Gai Jatra, or Cow Festival, is an important holiday celebrated in Nepal, primarily in the Kathmandu Valley. The festival is celebrated in honor of deceased family members, the belief being that the cow will guide those who have passed away safely to the afterlife. Gai Jatra has a unique cultural significance, celebrated as a day of joy and humor in a predominantly Hindu country.
The festivities begin with a parade featuring participants in outrageous costumes, and with the streets of Kathmandu bustling with the laughter and happiness that the holiday brings. Many of the paraders are adorned in bright, fun costumes, while some bring an ornately decorated cow with them. Those without a cow carry pictures of one, and even effigies of cows. The parade snakes through the streets of the city, stopping at temples to pay their respects.
Gai Jatra festivities throughout the Kathmandu Valley also include traditional music and dancing, as well as various theatrical performances. Organized skits are common, as too are performances by local musicians. At its heart, Gai Jatra is a time to pay tribute to those who have passed away, while also enjoying the humor and camaraderie the holiday brings.
Gai Jatra, Nepal – Introduction
Gai Jatra, also known as the Festival of Cows, is an annual Hindu festival celebrated in the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. It is believed to be a symbolic remembrance of deceased family members and is celebrated every year during the month of Bhadra (August/September) in the Nepali Calendar. The festival bears great cultural and religious significance and is celebrated with much vigor and enthusiasm in the valley.
History and Origin
Gai Jatra is said to have originated during the time of the Licchavi Dynasty, which ruled in Nepal from 400 AD to 750 AD. According to popular legend, there was a minister in the court of the Licchavi King, Pratap Malla, by the name of Ramdeva who lost his young son during the same year as his son’s birth. The tragedy of the boy’s death was unbearable to Ramdeva who wanted to somehow find a way to make it easier for the family to cope with the loss.
He suggested that the King should announce a day for people to come to the palace and parade, along with a cow, in a merry and joyous way. Thus, the day of the cow was established. This became the foundation of Gai Jatra or the festival of the cows. Over the years, the local community adopted this tradition of celebrating the cow and established it as a yearly festival.
Most scholars agree that Gai Jatra has long been associated with death and rebirth and has remained a part of the cultural and religious instillation of the Kathmandu Valley.
Significance and Meaning
The purpose of Gai Jatra is to honor and remember the deceased family members who have passed away in the past year. This is done by parading through the streets of Kathmandu with a cow, or an effigy of a cow, which is meant to symbolize the deceased. It is believed that the cow will guide the deceased person’s soul to the God of Death, Yama.
Gai Jatra is also seen as a way of celebrating life and countering the sadness of death. The festival is an occasion to find humor in intricate areas of life such as death. People wear hilarious costumes while taking part in the parade and the atmosphere is generally one of joy and lightheartedness.
Ultimately, Gai Jatra is seen as a way of remembering the deceased and finding solace and closure while celebrating the joys of life.
Traditions and Celebrations
During Gai Jatra, families parade through the streets of Kathmandu carrying effigies of cows or large pictures of cows. Children, often dressed up as the Hindu God of Death, Yama, are at the forefront of the procession. People carry signs with the names of the deceased and passersby sprinkle the participants with flower petals.
At certain points along the parade route, people stop and perform humorous skits or acts. Closer to the evening, people gather in a large field near the Pashupatinath Temple to participate in a variety of musical performances, song and dance, and theatrical acts. These performances are meant to provide a sense of joy and entertainment.
Geographical Spread
Gai Jatra is primarily celebrated in the Kathmandu Valley. However, it is also observed in other places of Nepal such as Lamjung, Charikot, Pokhara, Patan, Kirtipur, Bhaktapur, and other towns and villages. In certain places, the celebration of Gai Jatra is different. For example, in Lamjung sacrificial goats are offered and Gurung folk songs are sung.
Modern Day Observations
In modern times, the festival of Gai Jatra has evolved and expanded. For instance, it is now observed as a public holiday in Nepal. It is also a day to celebrate the diversity of the country’s culture, as well as be an occasion to pay respect to the Nepalese way of life.
Additionally, the festival is now observed with more of a focus on the folklore and aesthetics of traditional Nepal. The effigies of cows are often decorated and paraded through the streets, with the cows also wearing traditional Nepalese attire. The celebration is an expression of Nepalese culture, from the costly costumes and colorful decorations to the merry making spirit.
Interesting Facts or Trivia
Some interesting facts and trivia associated with Gai Jatra include:
• Gai Jatra is often referred to as the “Festival of Cows.”
• During Gai Jatra, people parade through the streets of Kathmandu carrying an effigy of a cow or a large photograph of one.
• It is believed that the cow will guide the deceased person’s soul to the God of Death, Yama.
• In some parts of Nepal, sacrificial goats are offered up during Gai Jatra.
• Gai Jatra is now celebrated as a public holiday in Nepal.
• The celebration is an expression of Nepalese culture, from the costly costumes and colorful decorations to the merrymaking spirit.
Conclusion
Gai Jatra is an important festival in Nepal that holds great cultural and religious significance. It is a day for remembering the deceased family members and finding solace in the joys and wonders of life. Traditions and celebrations include parading with effigies and pictures of cows, performances of song and dance, and theatrical skits. The festival is now celebrated as a public holiday in Nepal, and is often characterized by colorful decorations, elaborate costumes, and fun-filled activities.
How to Say "Gai Jatra in Nepal" In Different Languages?
- Czech
- Velikonoce (cs-CZ)
- Danish
- Påske (da-DK)
- Dutch
- Pasen (nl-NL)
- Estonian
- Lihavõtted (et-EE)
- Greek
- Πάσχα (el-GR)
- Hebrew
- קנדה (he-IL)
- Latvian
- Lieldienas (lv-LV)
- Polish
- Wielkanoc (pl-PL)
- Portuguese
- Páscoa (pt-PT)
- Romanian
- Paste (ro-RO)
- Russian
- Пасха (ru-RU)
- Slovak
- Veľká noc (sk-SK)
- Spanish
- Pascua (es-ES)
- Ukrainian
- Велика Ніч (uk-UA)
Gai Jatra in Nepal Also Called
The festival of cows, or cow procession. It is known as Gai Jatra or the Festival of Cows. It is believed to commemorate the death of family members of the year by bringing solace and rejoicing in the afterlife of the departed souls.
FUN FACT:
In year 1099 and 1225 AD, Gai Jatra in Nepal is celebrated on August 28 for the first time.HOLIDAY CHECK: We strive for accuracy and fairness. But if you see something that doesn't look right, please click here to contact us!