Today, Sunday, August 10, 2025 (Bhadra 26, 2082 BS), the cultural festival Gaijatra—also spelled Gai Jatra—is being observed in Nepal, particularly across the Kathmandu Valley and other parts of the country.
Gaijatra is a traditional festival celebrated by the Newar community to honor loved ones who have passed away during the past year. The festivities include humorous and satirical processions featuring cows (or people dressed as cows), which are believed to help guide the departed souls on their journey .
10aug2025
Nice captures! 📸 after the death of the prince, the then King of Kathmandu, Pratap Malla (1624–1674 A.D.), started this tradition to show his grieving wife, that everyone experiences grief. He ordered a parade of “gai” (cows) or children dressed as cows, symbolizing the departed, from among citizens who had lost loved ones that year, to lift the queen’s spirits. Today, Gaijatra is widely celebrated as a parade of humor and satire where “no offense is taken” yet it still carries its symbolism of loss and tragedy. Bhaktapur, one of the cities in the Kathmandu Valley, is among the best places to experience it. Gaijatra is rooted in grief and shows us the power of shared human emotions to heal and navigate through grief.
Thank you – such a great story!