collection
Kathmandu Valley Festival CalendarTwelve festivals that own the valley's streets, in calendar order — chariots, lamps, colors, and processions, with confirmed dates for the coming year.
12 stops
Editorial · reetu.fyifestivals · culture
FestivalKathmandu
Gai Jatra
A procession of cows, costumes, and satire through the old city each August, honoring the year's departed.
About this place
FestivalKathmandu
Summary
Gai Jatra, the 'festival of cows', fills the old city streets of Kathmandu, Patan, and Bhaktapur with processions of costumed children, cows, and satirical street performance. Families who lost a member during the year lead a cow (or a costumed child in its place) through the streets to help their loved one's journey onward; over centuries the day has also grown into Nepal's day of licensed satire, comedy, and social commentary.
Skip if
Skip if large emotional crowds are not your thing — this is a deeply personal day for many families.
Check the next confirmed date before planning around this.
Festival and seasonal event timing can shift each year.
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