The monsoon brings rain and festivals also in the Kathmandu Valley. Festivals in Kathmandu are closely tied to the monsoon and agriculture. After the paddy plantation, people are busy preparing for festivals like Raksha Bandhan, Gaijatra, Krishna Janmashtami, and Indra Jatra. Luckily, this year, I got an opportunity to witness the celebration of Gaijatra in Bhaktapur city. On August 10, 2025, the courtyard of Bhaktapur Durbar Square became a living theatre of music, sorrow, and wonderful attire and satires with full of emotions and laughter. Along with my friends, I blend into the chaos of the massive crowd at the Gaijatra festival. The legacy of the Gaijatra festival continued for several centuries that combining grief with joy, remembrance of their loved ones with celebration. The festival tours in Nepal have abundant shows, as the Gaijatra festival, celebrated in Kathmandu Valley, differs from one city to another. It was my first experience of the Gaijatra festival in Bhaktapur city.
The electrifying surroundings of Bhaktapur Durbar Square welcome us in a very iconic way, as a sea of people were cheering and praising the grand procession in the premises of the 55-Window palace and the golden temple. The surroundings were filled with Newari music – drums, Cymbals, and flutes creating a spellbinding rhythm that carried the crowd together. The grand procession continued to the historic Dattatreya Square and returned to the iconic Nyatapole temple in Taumadhi Square.
We were witnessing the stunning displays of art and devotion. The finest creativity is evident in their display, as they carry bamboo carts adorned with portraits of loved ones who passed away the previous year. The central point of this festival is honoring and remembering the departed soul, along with music, dance, laughter, and joy in the narrow alleys of this ancient city. We were not only observing this grand festival but also transferring its legacy to the next generation, as one of my friends came with his son to show him this festival and explain its significance in the cultural traditions of the Kathmandu Valley. We didn’t miss capturing those wonderful moments in our camera memory. The little kids to adults were playing Ghintang Ghisi using wooden sticks, which was a major attraction in the Bhaktapur Gaijatra. And we didn’t miss tasting JuJu Dhau, a local curd with higher popularity in the valley. The local food and drinks are the main source of getting an identity, and Bhaktapur possesses popular cuisines such as Bara, Momos, and Yomari. But unfortunately, we didn’t get those foods as the massive crowd had already swept everything in the local restaurants. With a hungry stomach, we returned to our home, but filled with the spirit of joy and satisfaction that we experienced something so culturally profound, which makes us proud.
Nepal is a holy land that comprises myths and legends, which guide people’s lives in the present day, too. Nepal cultural tour, festival tour in Nepal, adventure tour in Nepal, and other forms of pilgrimage tour regularly attract foreigners to this small but beautiful Himalayan kingdom. Gaijatra is more than a festival only it combines the grief and emotions of people into joy and celebrations, even though the loss of their beloved ones. We would appreciate your feedback and comments after you read it. The different stories and jatra of Kathmandu Valley will be covered in our blog regularly. To know more about the festivals of Kathmandu, follow our blogs and updates.
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