Welcome to Gai Jatra festival, Bhaktapur
Highlights of the Festival
- Ghentang Gisi Dance – In this dance the local people participate following a very Jumpy music of Ghentang Gisi note. As a part of dance, each carries a stout stick to strike with his/her partner following the beat.
- People disguise in hilarious dress up and mask and follow the procession.
- The festival lasts for nine days. During the days, every evening till late night, you have chances to watch various traditional dances performed in the open streets and square.
- Foreigners are welcome to participate in the dance and merry making carnivals with the local
.
Gaijatra ( Locally named as "Saparu") is a unique carnival rejoiced in Kathmandu valley by Newari people. On this day people commemorate all those who passed away during the years. The family and relatives go for procession round the city with a cow or the one decorated like a cow (Locally known as "Snacha"). The belief is that the departed soul will be successful in his journey to divinity with the help of holy cow – thus emancipating from the Samsara.
The strange part of the festival is that it teaches people to accept death with gratitude.
The festival was initiated by a Malla king in order to solace his wife who had been in a deep mourning and agony after the death of their son.
Gai Jatra is celebrated with traditional dance and music ( Locally termed as "Ghentang Gisi"). People participate in the processions. They have fun disguising in hilarious attire and mimicry. They also take it an opportunity to satire existing evil parts of the society. The different sarcastic gestures of the festival keeps the people amused for nine consecutive days.
The festival also happens to begin at the time when the farmers are at rest after a month long rice paddy plantation during the monsoon. So, it is also the days for them to take rest. During the festival, they enjoy nine beans soup ( Qwati) and Newari cuisines ( Same Baji).
In other words, Gaijatra festival is an effort to instill the Vedic philosophy that death is inevitable and hence there is no point to moan. Rather, we should overcome it through celebration.
Welcome to the Festivals!
