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Next: about 18 Aug 2027

Gai Jatra

The cow procession of the Kathmandu valley, when families who lost someone in the year walk with a cow, or a boy dressed as one.

Children preparing for Gaijatra festival in Kathmandu.
Photo: Krish Dulal, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Cattle at Gai Jatra

Gai Jatra is held on the first day of the dark half of Bhadra. Every family in the Kathmandu valley that has lost a member during the past year takes part in a procession through the old city, leading a cow, or more often a child dressed as a cow, because the cow is believed to guide the departed. The walk passes the old temples and squares, and helps the bereaved see that grief is shared by many. Over the centuries, a king who wished to comfort his queen added music, satire and comedy, so the day is also one of jokes and street theatre. Bhaktapur keeps its own version with tall decorated frames.

Also part of it, and being written: Siri cattle (A Himalayan hill breed of eastern Nepal.), Achham cattle (The dwarf zebu of the far west.), Lulu (The small mountain cattle of Mustang.).

About this page

Written by the EveryCow desk with AI assistance. Background: "Gai Jatra" on Wikipedia. Customs differ from place to place and family to family. If this is your tradition and we have it wrong, tell us.

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