Ghode Jatra being observed today in nepal

The traditional Ghode Jatra (fair of horses) festival is being observed today with a grand ceremony at Tundikhel, Kathmandu, Monday.

Ghode Jatra in Nepal

Nepal Army (NA) personnel will perform various stunts with their horses at Tundikhel on the occasion. President Ram Baran Yadav, Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal, chiefs of Constitutional bodies, ministers, government officials and other dignitaries along with the public grace the event cheerfully.

According to Hindu Mythology, there was a demon called Gurumapa in Kathmandu which used to abduct children and feast on them. The people killed them by stamping it by horse and buried them under a tree towards the South of Tundikhel. However, the demon's soul continued troubling the people in various ways.

Hence, they started celebrating Ghodejatra to scare away the demon's soul by the sounds of the horse's hoof. That is a reason why the festival is observed with various stunts involving horses.

A symbolic function is also organised in Lalitpur to mark the festival. The government gives a public holiday in Kathmandu valley on this day.
--
Kind Regards;
VK Pandey