The Newar community in Nepal, mainly in Kathmandu Valley, celebrates the Gai Jatra festival. This festival, commemorating the deaths throughout the year, typically takes place in the month of Bhadra (August–September), following the lunar Nepal Era calendar. Gai Jatra is observed on the first day of the dark fortnight of the month of Gunla. The community celebrates it to remember the departed individuals from the past year, believing that the cow assists the souls in their journey to heaven.
After breakfast, your travel guide will pick you up, and you’ll embark on a journey to either Kathmandu, Lalitpur, or Bhaktapur, depending on your choice. In Kathmandu, individual bereaved families follow the route independently, while in Patan, participants congregate in Durbar Square before proceeding together. In Bhaktapur, the streets come alive with the unique tradition of carrying tall bamboo poles topped with horns, and tied with straw, in memory of deceased relatives.
The festival in these cities is a vibrant celebration, with dancing, singing, comedy, and anything that brings humor and laughter to the forefront. After thoroughly enjoying the festivities, you can return to your hotel, having experienced the rich cultural tapestry of Nepal.