Festival Packages >> Gai Jatra Festival
Gai Jatra FestivalGai Jatra Festival
2 nights / 3 days
2 August - 4 August 2012

Gai jatra festival is celebrated with lot of gusto and merriment. In Bhaktapur, throughout the day, processions of people dressed comically parade the town dancing to the tune of highly enlivening Gai Jatra music. If nothing more, the day is totally entertaining.

Hindus believe that the gates of Yamlok, the domain of Yamraj-the God of death-open only once a year,on the day of Gai Jatra. It is pertinent that after people die their departed souls reach Yamlok. The belief is that the passage to the gateway is very tough. Therefore, to ease the passage of the souls the families pray that cows are there to bring those souls to the gate of Yamlok. Hence, the families of the lost members organize processions followed by symbolic cows or boys decorated as cows.

Yet another aspect of Gai jatra is the dance of the Bhairab. In pottery square in the evening locals enact the dance emulating Bhairab and 13 other Hindu deities. Bhairab is the fierce looking manifestation of Hindu God Shiva, the one who takes care of the time given to all the beings in the universe.

All Buddhist monasteries are open throughout the festival.

Day
Program
01.
Receive & transfer from the airport or Kathmandu to homestay / Refresh / Lunch / Evening tour of Bhaktapur Durbar Square / Dinner
02.
Breakfast / Spend the whole day in Bhaktapur to tour to heritage sites of Bhaktapur and also observe Gai Jatra; watch processions of people merrily dance to the lively traditional tune of 'Ghentang kisi' - the tune of Gai Jatra carried on for generations and only played in Bhaktapur / dinner / Go to Potter's square to watch unique Bhairab dance, particularly exhibited by potters of Potter's square only / Return to homestay

03.
Tea, coffee / A nature hike up to Surya Vinayak and Subarneswor temple / Brunch / Departure to Kathmandu or airport

Package includes
Accommodation at homestay
Five home cooked meals and a breakfast at Nagarkot
Culture & nature tours with a guide and car (as required)
Land transfers
Tea / coffee at homestay at all times

Package does not include
Client's insurance
Entrance fees to World Heritage sites
Expenses incurred as a result of illness or any other unforeseen events.
Loss incurred by re-routing, inclement weather, floods, famine, political disruptions, strikes, riots and other disturbances
Bar bills