The Gaijatra festival, observed by the Newar community to honor deceased loved ones and wish for their peace, is being celebrated in the two major towns of Kavre: Dhulikhel and Banepa. The festival is held annually on the day of Bhadra Krishna Pratipada, which falls today.
During the Gaijatra festival, family members lead decorated cows and people in a procession around the town. This tradition, which has been consistently maintained, is a significant aspect of Newar culture. Madhav Shrestha from Banepa emphasized the continuous observance of this festival following cultural and traditional practices.
Historian Mohan Duwal mentions that Gaijatra was once celebrated with great fanfare in Banepa and Dhulikhel during the Malla period. The Newar community in these areas has adhered to the traditions of Bhaktapur’s Gaijatra, incorporating dramas, satire, and cultural performances. Records suggest that Gaijatra originated in Bhaktapur centuries ago.
In addition to Dhulikhel and Banepa, the festival is observed in other major towns of the Kavrepalanchok district such as Panauti, Panchkhal, Sangha, and Nalal. Families in these areas decorate cows and people for a procession around the city. Participants in traditional attire perform dances and play musical instruments during the procession. It is customary for devotees to offer milk, fruits, bread, yogurt, and other items as donations.
During the procession, there is a religious belief that those who have died throughout the year are symbolically guided across the Vaitarani River by holding the cow’s tail. Gaijatra is particularly regarded as a ritual for the peace of ancestors, as noted in Swami Gyan Kaji Manandhar’s historical account of Banepa.
Historically, King Pratap Malla initiated the Gaijatra festival to convey a message of shared grief to his queen, who was mourning the loss of their son. He decreed that people should organize Gaijatra processions in their homes to reflect their mourning. The festival, which includes performances of satire, drama, and dance, has continued since then, with the tradition of visiting the Hanumandhoka Palace.
Although Gaijatra is primarily celebrated in Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, and Lalitpur, it has also been observed in Kavrepalanchok since that time. Recently, the festival has been expanding to other areas of the district. Although Gaijatra is celebrated the day after Janai Purnima, this year’s timing coincides with the festival’s date.
In conjunction with Janai Purnima and Raksha Bandhan, the Tamal Rural Municipality has declared a three-day public holiday starting from yesterday to celebrate the religious festival. The Tamal area has a long-standing tradition of holding special religious festivals at the Satyanarayan Temple. During this period, local administrative offices, educational institutions, health centers, and ward offices will be closed to accommodate the festival.
