Nepal’s Gaijatra 2018 or the ‘cow festival 2018’ began on August 27, 2018 on a grand scale and is being celebrated across three cities of the Kathmandu Valley and other key regions of the country.

Following Nepal’s vedic calendar, the festival began on the first day of the waning moon in the month of ‘Bhadra’ (Nepali month).

As the festival arrived, all sections of society roam around the city in the guise of cows and lunatics, in traditional attire to commemorate those who passed away in the past one year.

As part of the procession on this auspicious day, public offer fruits, bread, beaten rice, curd and money to the participating members and cows in the name of their deceased family members.

The cow is highly regarded in this festival owing to a strong belief that the deceased cross a legendary river after their death safely only by holding a cow’s tail.

The festival has been under practice since ages and is believed to have started during the reign of King Pratap Malla. King Malla, in a move to console his wife who was crying at her son’s demise, ordered his populace to organize humor and satirical programmes in various comic postures.

Since then, the festival has been continuing as a means to public in presenting their views on the contemporary social issues in the form of comic postures and attires.

The festival is majorly observed by the Newari community of Nepal and will last for a week period.

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The festival that begins with the start of full moon in the month of Poush, the ninth month according to Nepali calendar, commenced on January 03, 2018 this year.

As part of the tradition, devotees take dips in holy waters during the festival as a tribute to Goddess Swasthani.

Marking the commencement of the festival, a large number of Hindu devotees thronged at Hanumante River in Bhaktapur on January 03, 2018.

As part of a special custom, young boys dressed in traditional attire take part in a long procession around the town with oil lamps on head, hands and shoulders.

Devotees also recite holy scriptures and also sing songs dedicated to Hindu deities Shiva and Swasthani.

As part of the rituals, women pray for the longevity of their husbands by observing fasts all through the month. ‘

The 30-day-long fast is called Brata in Newari and Nepali languages, and only involves a combination of grains used for the festival.

Finally, the festival concludes with the Ashwamegha Yagya, where devotees offer prayers to Lord Shiva throughout the night.

On this special day, offerings such as sweets and flowers, among others are presented in 108 pieces and distributed among male members of the family or immersed in holy waters.

Also known as the Swasthani Brata Katha festival, the festival usually falls during January-February and ends on the full moon day.

This month-long annual Nepali festival is dedicated to Lord Madhav Narayan or Goddess Shree Swasthani.

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Following the ages-old tradition of selecting young girls for ‘living goddess’ throne, Nepali citizens have now selected a three-year old girl, Trishna Shakya, as their next Kumari of Kathmandu, as the manifestation of Goddess Taleju.

The new girl was selected after her predecessor crossed the puberty period, which the Nepalese consider for naming a girl as Kumari.

As per the tradition, Trishna Shakya will take over as the new Kumari in a ceremony on September 28, 2017, where she will be taken from her family to further live in a palace in Kathmandu’s ancient Durbar Square and would be looked after by the specially-appointed caretakers.

“She will take her place on the Kumari’s throne after we perform prayers and tantric rituals,” says Uddhav Man Karmacharya, a Hindu priest.

According to Uddhav, Trishna was selected from among four aspiring candidates.

Once anointed as the living goddess, Trishna will be paraded across the capital in ceremonial attire and makeup required for the worship.

When outside, Trishna will be carried as she would be the goddess and her feet shouldn’t touch the ground.

Once holding the throne, Trishna will be allowed to go home only for 13 times in a year on special feast days.

Strict Selection Criteria

The girls aspiring to become Kumaris have to pass through some strict selection criteria, which demands physical attributes, such as a chest like a lion and thighs like a deer.

Even after passing the above criteria, the final winner should have to prove her courage at the time of buffalo sacrifice offered in front of her.

A Tradition That Is Widely Criticized

This tradition has been criticised by various child rights activists, who argued that Kumaris are denied childhood and isolated from the society.

In response to the concerns, the Nepali Supreme Court (SC) (in 2008) ruled that the living goddesses should be offered necessary education.

Following SC ruling, the system continues to be in place till date, wherein the living goddess is allowed to be taught and write exams inside the palace.

Worshipped with Fervor

One can witness the uniqueness of the worship offered to the living goddess during the famous Nepali festival
Kanya Puja, celebrated annually on the Krishna Janmashtami day.

Devotees offer special prayers to the living goddess on the Kanya Puja day, where young pre-pubescent girls are worshipped as the manifestation of highly-revered Goddess Chandeswori.

The outgoing Kumari named Matine Shakya was anointed in 2008 at the similar age of three years.

Kumaris are usually selected from the Shakya or Bajracharya clan of the Nepalese Newari community.

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