Do you know about Gai Jatra (Procession of Cows)? I guess it is a unique festival in the world only held in Nepal. It is a very interesting festival in the sense it has both happy and sad aspects. On the one hand, it is a happy side as people celebrate in the streets with dancing and signing with cows. On the other hand, it is a ceremony in which the dead relatives who have passed away in the last one year are remembered. I am quoting from the website of Nebuti Travels:
"According to tradition dating back since time immemorial, every family who has lost one relative during the past year must participate in a procession through, the streets of Katmandu leading a cow. If a cow is unavailable then a young boy dressed up as a cow is considered to be a fair substitute. It is believed that the symbol of a cow, revered as a holy animal by all devout Hindus, will assist the deceased relative's heavenward journey. Later in the Afternoon, nearly everyone takes part in another age-old tradition in which all participants dress up and wear masks; jokes, mockery and humor of every kind become the order of the day until the late evening."
This year, Gai Jatra was held with a new found happiness. Nepalese people, at last, have a taste of real democracy and freedom. This year, a huge crowd attended the festival in the streets of Nepalese capital in a festive mood. I found a nice description of Gai Jatra in a report in OhmyNews:
" People mock the social, political, or individual aspects of society or of certain officials and amuse the thousands of spectators, who gather in the streets.
Of course there are differences in the festival in different Nepali towns and cities.
In Kathmandu, bereaved families walk the route individually. In Patan, they gather first in Durbar Square and then leave together. In Bhaktapur bamboos wrapped in cloth and topped with straw are carried around the city."
After reading about it, it reminded me of the famous carnival of Rio de Janeiro. Just like the Rio carnival, many people in Nepal take year long preparation for singing and dancing in Gai Yatra. I just wish that there could have been more media coverage. Well, this is the beauty of Internet and blogging. I am sure some people will read this article of mine and also follow the links and next year there will be some more visitors. I really wish that people from different countries in the world join this celebration next year.
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