IN PICS: Gaijatra being celebrated across Kathmandu Valley today

Published On: August 12, 2022 02:00 PM NPT By: Prasan Gurung

KATHMANDU, August 12: The Gaijatra festival is being celebrated by the Newari community in memory of their deceased relative across the country today.

This festival is believed to have started during the reign of King Pratap Malla, who, in a bid to console his queen grieving the death of her son who died of smallpox, ordered his people to organize a program full of humor and satires with various comic postures.

During the time-honored tradition, people of all ages in the guise of cows and lunatics go around the city, wearing odd costumes to commemorate those who died during the past year. The bereaved families offer fruits, bread, beaten rice, curd, and money to those participating in the procession including the cows.

Here are some pictures taken by Republica Photojournalist Prasan Gurung at Basantapur Durbar Square on Friday: