Gaijatra festival being observed by Newar Community in and around Kathmandu valley

August 16, Kathmandu: People of Kathmandu Valley are celebrating the traditional festival of ‘Gaijatra’ in memory of the deceased member of their families.

According to the lunar calendar, Gaijatra festival falls on the first day of the waning moon in the month of the Bhadra.

The celebration, which literally means the festival of cows, is marked with various dance and drama performances; mainly in different places of the three districts of the valley.

The festival is observed mainly by the Newar community, though other communities also participate in the processions.

People take out a rally, in memory of their deceased loved ones, dressed like a cow among many other kinds of strange and humorous costumes with peculiar appearance.