Ghode Jatra
Ghode Jatra, the Horse Racing Day falls on the month of mid March or
early April. A grand horse parade takes place at Tundikhel, the central
point of the city reputed to have been in the former days the largest
parade ground in Asia. It is said that in the olden days the Kings of
Kathmandu use to go to worship the Bhadrakali temple in a courtly
cavalcade following the Living Goddess Kumari. This visit could have
been modified into the parade of horses and finally the horse athletics
and racing contest as it is today, held by the army.
There
was a time when the festival was considered only for the residents of
Kathmandu. But today it's popularity has attracted people from all over
Nepal. It's said to be a propitious day for consuming a large amount of
garlic and meat, some even consider it a day when citizen in the
streets may inebriate themselves.
Legend reveals that this
festival was held to celebrate the victory over a demon named Tundi who
resided over the meadow, today known as Tundikhel. Tundi was a terror,
so when he met with his death people rejoiced by dancing on his body
with horses. So it's believed that the clamor of horses' hooves on
Ghode Jatra at Tundikhel keeps the demon's sprit at bay as it still
threatens to ruin the city. It's said, the faster the horses run
quicker will Tundi's spirit be dispelled. The swift running of the
horses on this day is also considered to be a good omen for the
Nepalese people.
Another event takes place on Ghode Jatra
at Bal Kumari area in Patan where a horse is intoxicated with spirits
and an equally drunk person in a traditional Newari attire rides it.
People shout to frighten and enrage the animal until it runs widely
with the rider clinging to it. This race is thought to have been
commenced in the olden times by a certain king of Patan to give a
better show in comparison to Tundikhel's parade, as in those days no
one from Patan could attain it. The most worshiped goddess on this day
in Bhadrakali also known by the Newari people as Lumarhi Devi.
Ghode
Jatra is a festival, which doesn't have a lot of religious ceremonies,
but the horse parade, is a big attraction and people always look
forward to it.
Article by Padmakshi Rana
Photographs collected from Deependra Bajracharya and Min Bajracharya.
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