Written by: Pratik Dangol - 27009, Grade VIII
Posted on: 26 August, 2022
On Bhadra 28, it was Gai jatra according to Nepal sambat calendar. Soo today I am goingI going to share what happens in my area.
Day one Gai jatra, we all know about gai jatra. To go about its history, King Pratap Malla started it when his son died and his mother was very sad. So the king started the jatra in which the ones whose loved ones or family members died, dress like cows and parade in the street. In my area (woda num 8) the jatra is taken out from 2 streets; Pashupati and jaya bageshwori. Here the ones whose family member had died become cows and lakhe is also taken out on this day. And then the jatra is taken to a fixed way. In it we tease the lakhe and it chases us as a culture. On this day the jatra is taken inside the pashupati temple too. We also get permission to go inside with shoes during the jatra period.
Day two Khadga Jatra, it is a unique jatra celebrated only in this area. As gai jatra it is taken out from two streets. On this day people dress in a unique costume that contains 6 to 7 or mare sarees, and some cholos. The khadga(people who dress and participate in this jatra) hold Kachaura and khadga in their hands. The jatra is taken in a fixed way in which the people run circling all places. Today also lakhe chasing is done. As Gai jatra, the jatra is also taken inside pashupati temple.
Day three Ropai jatra, it is a jatra in which people do different getups and boys dress as women. On this day jatra is taken from three places: jaya bageshwori, pashupati and tilganga. The jatras have the newari baja called Dhime baja too. These jatras are part of Newar culture, this shows how Newa community is rich in culture and traditions.
