Kathmandu, Nepal, August 12, 2022: Gaijatra, a traditional and cultural festival, which is also known as the festival of cow, is being observed in different parts of the country, particularly in the Kathmandu valley, with much more funfair today.
The eight-day long annual festival falls on the first day of the waning moon in the month of Bhadra (Bhadra Krishna Pratipada) and end in Ashtami as per the lunar calendar.
The members of the Newa community used to observe the festival to commemorate those who have passed away during the past one year. Likewise, other communities also observe the day with satirist, satirist and humorous program.
It is believed that the festival was started during the reign of King Pratap Malla. There is a saying that King Pratap Malla had ordered the people to organize a humorous program with various comic postures in a bid to console his queen grieved at the death of her son due to the smallpox epidemic.
