In the heart of the Kathmandu Valley, amidst the ancient temples and bustling streets, the people of Nepal came together on Tuesday to celebrate Gaijatra, a festival deeply rooted in tradition, remembrance, and cultural identity.
This annual event, known as the “Cow Festival,” serves as a poignant commemoration for those who have passed away within the past year. It is also a time for the LGBTQI+ community to express their pride and solidarity, blending ancient customs with modern-day advocacy. The streets of Kathmandu, particularly the historic Kathmandu Durbar Square, became the stage for a vibrant and emotional display of cultural heritage and social progress.
A Festival of Remembrance: Gaijatra’s Ancient Roots
Gaijatra, which translates to the “Cow Festival,” is traditionally observed on the first day of the waning moon in the month of Bhadra, the fifth month of the Lunar calendar. This festival, primarily celebrated by the Newari and Tharu communities of Nepal, is steeped in centuries-old beliefs and customs.
According to legend, the festival’s name derives from the religious conviction that the souls of the deceased cross a mythical river on their way to heaven, clinging to the tail of a cow. This belief has given rise to the practice of parading through the streets disguised as cows, with artificial tails symbolizing the assistance these animals provide to souls in their journey to the afterlife.
The origins of Gaijatra are traced back to around 500 Nepal Sambat, a period deeply ingrained in the cultural and religious practices of the Newari community. While some historians argue that the festival was established as an alternative to the costly ritual of releasing an ox or bull for peace to the deceased soul, others link its origins to the medieval period, specifically during the reigns of rulers like Pratap Malla in Kathmandu. During this era, Gaijatra evolved into a grand pilgrimage and festival, complete with musical instruments and public performances.
Kathmandu Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage site, becomes the epicenter of this celebration. Thousands of people, dressed as cows or in other eccentric costumes, parade through the city’s streets, receiving alms and donations.
The bereaved families, hoping to ensure the salvation of their departed loved ones, offer fruits, bread, beaten rice, curd, and money to those participating in the procession, including the cows.
LGBTQI+ Pride Parade: A Modern Tradition Amidst Ancient Rituals
In a unique confluence of tradition and modernity, Gaijatra has also become a significant event for Nepal’s LGBTQI+ community. Coinciding with the festival, the LGBTQI+ community holds an annual pride parade, commemorating their deceased colleagues from the past year and asserting their rights and identities in a society that is gradually becoming more inclusive. This year marked the 21st Gaijatra Pride Parade, organized by the Blue Diamond Society, an umbrella organization representing Nepal’s sexual minorities.
The pride parade began in the tourist-heavy Thamel area and wound its way through the narrow alleyways of Kathmandu, eventually merging with the larger Gaijatra procession at Kathmandu Durbar Square. Hundreds of LGBTQI+ individuals participated, carrying banners, waving flags, and celebrating their identities with excitement and joy.
Preti Petter, the program coordinator at the Blue Diamond Society, spoke about the significance of this parade: “This is the 21st Pride Parade in Gaijatra. It has been 21 years that we have been celebrating this because we exist in society, and we want to show the world that the Nepali queer community exists with huge respect.”
Nepal has made significant strides in recognizing the rights of sexual minorities. The country’s progressive constitution grants legal recognition and rights to LGBTQI+ individuals, and the 2021 census marked the first time Nepal began collecting data on this community.
According to the latest census, 2,928 people identified as “others” in terms of gender or sexual orientation. The Gaijatra Pride Parade not only honors the lives lost within the LGBTQI+ community but also serves as a platform to advocate for their dignity, identity, and respect within Nepali society.
A Fusion of Tradition and Advocacy: Gaijatra’s Cultural Impact
Gaijatra is more than just a festival; it is a reflection of Nepal’s rich cultural tapestry, where ancient traditions coexist with modern values and social movements. The festival’s rituals, rooted in folklore and religious beliefs, continue to resonate with the people of Nepal, providing comfort and solace to those who have lost loved ones.
At the same time, the inclusion of the LGBTQI+ pride parade within the Gaijatra celebrations highlights the country’s evolving social landscape, where marginalized communities are increasingly finding their voices and asserting their rights.
As the parades wind through the streets of Kathmandu, blending the solemnity of mourning with the vibrancy of pride, Gaijatra stands as a testament to Nepal’s ability to honor its past while embracing the future.
The festival, with its unique blend of remembrance and celebration, serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of cultural continuity and social progress in a rapidly changing world.
