The people of Kathmandu Valley on Tuesday observed the traditional Gaijatra or Cow festival in memory of their demised family members.

As a part of the festival, family members of those who passed away in the last one year dressed up in strange attire with some wearing cow masks and went on a rally to commemorate the deceased.

Public observing the festival usually offer fruits, bread, beaten rice, curd and money to those participating in the procession and to the cows.

The festival derived its name from the legend that the dead, on their way to heaven, pass through a legendary river by holding cow’s tail.

The then King of the Malla dynasty, Pratap Malla, was the first one to observe Gaijatra.

The festival usually falls on the first day of the waning moon on Bhadra Shukla Pratipada and is majorly celebrated by the Newar and Tharu communities.

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