Ghode Jatra Festival is a horse festival native to Kathmandu. In the festival, a horse parades is organized in Tundikhel. The parade and competitions is carried out in the presence of heads of state. Ghode Jatra is organized on the no-moon day of Chaitra Sukla Paksha of the Eastern Lunar calendar. This parade is organized and performed by the Nepal Army and Police together. This occasion falls about mid-March or early April (Chaitra). A big horse parade takes place at Tundikhel.
Moreover on Ghode Jatra Festival
The festival holds its own myth of a victory over a demon named Gurumapa. Gurumapa is who inhabited over the meadow of the Tundikhel. There still exists a tree in the South-East part of the Tundikhel where Gurumapa supposed to be resides.
As per assure made with the demon before his last breath the night before Ghode Jatra, a buffalo is sacrificed and rice is cooked near the tree as a feast for the demon. The day before Ghode-Jatra, Newari-community people celebrates a festival; Panchare. Panchare is said to be a propitious day for consuming a large amount of garlic and meat. And some even consider it a day when citizen in the streets may inebriate themselves.
Fable of the Gurumapa defines: Gurumapa a fiend lived in the Tundikhel scared children of the Kathmandu city. He used to abduct juvenile kids with an intention to terrorize and torture them. Every evening became perilous for kids of city. So denizens of Kathmandu paraded horse in the Tundikhel with an intention to kill the devil encroaching under the horse toe. And when he met with his death people rejoiced by dancing over his body with horses. So it is believed that the clamor of horses’ hooves on Ghode Jatra at Tundikhel keeps the demon spirit at bay as it still threatens to ruin the city. It’s believed that, the faster the horses run quicker will Gurumapa’s spirit is dispelled. The swift running of the horses on this day is also considered to be a good omen for the Nepalese people.
Ghode jatra festival
Another event takes place on Ghode Jatra is 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 Malla king of Patan to give a better show in comparison to Tundikhel’s parade, as in those days no one from Patan tempted to go Tundikhel. The most worshiped goddess on this day in Bhadrakali also known by the Newari people as Lumarhi Devi.
Ghode Jatra was organized to celebrate the victory over a demon named Tundi who resides over the field known as Tundikhel. Tundi was a big terror for the people of Kathmandu. When she died people cheered by dancing onto his body with horses. It is believed that the galloping of horses on Ghode Jatra at Tundikhel keeps the demon’s spirit under the ground.
Our service for our guest
Our trips are fully supported and offer personalized service to our guests. If you’re interested to involve in these trips by your interest, time, and physical and mental preparation it’s fine.
Besides this, Hot Spring Trek, Trek near Kathmandu, Panchase Trek, Ghalegaun Trek, Chepang Hill Trek, Chisapani Nagarkot Trek, Ghorepani Ghandruk Trek are available.
Similarly, Annapurna Circuit Trek – 14 Days, Annapurna Base Camp Trek – 14 Days, and many more are in Annapurna Region.
Other hands, Everest Base Camp Trek – 12 Days, Everest Three Pass Trek – 17 Days are in Everest Region
In Langtang Region Holy Gosainkunda Trek – 6 Days, Langtang Valley Trek – 9 Days, Langtang Gosainkunda Chisapani Trek – 13 Days are available.
Manasalu Area Trek – 15 Days, Upper Mustang Trek – 14 Days, Nar Phu Valley Trek – 12 Days, Rara Lake Trek – 11 Days are in Restricted Region.
As well as Ganesh Himal, Kanchanjunga, Makalu Trek, and furthermore programs are organized by Robinson Crusoe Holidays.
Among the cultural programmed; Honeymoon Tour Package – 10 Days, Nepal Pleasure Tour – 8 Days, Adventure Package Tour – 14 Days, Historical Nepal Tour – 10 Days, Spiritual tour Package – 12 Days, Kathmandu Unique tour – 5 Days, Historical Gorkha Village Tour 9 Days, Nepal India Cultural Tour – 10 Days, Nepal Bhutan Tibet Tour – 12 Days.
If you are interested to plan your tour and trek yourself according to your interest we manage it. According to your time duration and schedule, please go to our Plan Trip or Customize Trip.
Robinson Crusoe Holiday is always ready to provide excellent services for our guests. Based on our cultural motto “Matri Debo Bhaba, Pitrii Debo Bhaba, Atithi Debo Bhaba.” Mother as a God, Father as a God, and Guest as a God.
