Gai Jatra celebrated amidst Covid-19
Every year from Bhadra Krishna Pratipada to Ashtami, Gaijatra is celebrated for eight consecutive days with various programs. Newar communities across the country, including the Kathmandu Valley, have celebrated the Gaijatra festival by decorating people as cows in memory of their deceased relatives.
The festival of cows is one of the most popular festivals in Nepal. It is said people in ancient time started worshiping Yamaraj,”the god of death” on this day. However, the modern form of celebration of Gai Jatra came into existence in the medieval period of Nepal during the reign of Malla Kings.
The present form of Gai Jatra with humorous acts, parody, comedy and was started by then King of Kathmandu Pratap Malla. He made Rani Pokhari (Pond) in the heart of Kathmandu and build a temple in the middle of the same pond.
Traditionally every family who had death in the family during the preceding year must participate in a procession through the streets of Kathmandu leading a cow.
If a cow is unavailable then a young kids dressed as cow is considered a fair substitute. However, there started tradition of leading a cow with kids in funny costumes.
Despite the request of the Kathmandu district administration to observe the festival following the health standards as the risk of corona virus infection remains, the rules were not followed during the procession.
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