Cultural event

Gai Jatra

गाईजात्रा

Gai Jatra ("cow festival") is a Newar festival in Kathmandu Valley on the day after Janai Purnima.

Significance

Families who have lost a loved one in the past year lead a cow (or a child dressed as one) through the streets. The procession is said to help the departed soul reach the afterlife, and the comedic edge of the day — satire, costumes, parody — reminds the community that grief is shared.

How it is celebrated

Processions through Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur. Local newspapers publish satirical "Gai Jatra" editions; comedy shows and parodies are the norm.