Gai Jatra, When Your Kids

Cow is regarded as a Goddess in Nepal. The procession of cows or The festival of Gai Jatra is one the most popular festivals in Nepal. Gai means Cow and Jatra means festival in Nepali language. On this day, the family who has lost a relative during the past one year must take part in the procession by walking through the streets of Kathmandu led by a cow.

People who don’t have any cow can send their children instead... using cow suits. This is considered as a fair substitution. During the procession, children will wear white cloths with gold and orange accents and a colourful headgear. Their faces also painted to look like cows.

Gai Jatra festival has its roots in the ancient ages when people worshipped Yamaraj, the god of death. The festival is celebrated every year in August - September or Badhra in Nepali calendar. Gai Jatra aims to enable people to accept the reality of death. It is believed that the sacred cow represents a means of transportation for the dead souls to reach heaven.

The tradition of dressing children as cows was started since the time of King Pratap Malla. When the King lost his son, his wife entered a long period of sorrow. People from different households were asked to try to make the queen laugh. A lot of people came and tried their best by making various jokes.

Although the ceremony is to honor the deceased of family member, Gai Jatra also teaches to accept death as a part of life and express them through art.


(Source: www.nepalhomepage.com & www.weallnepali.com)