Ghode jatra
Ghode jatra festival is also known as the festival of horses or horse parade. Horse Parade is organized in Tudikhel, Kathmandu every year. Ghode Jatra is known as the oldest festival celebrated in the country. On the day, the Nepali Army cavalry team performs different artistic stunts riding on their horses.
People gather around Tudikhel to watch the horse parade and performances by the Nepali Army. The army also takes it as an opportunity to display their skills as paratroopers drop down from planes flying close overhead.
Another event in Ghode Jatra takes place at Bal Kumari temple in Patan where a horse is intoxicated by is fedding alcohol and equally drunk person in a traditional Newari attire rides it. People cheer and shout to frighten and enrage the horse until it runs wildly with the rider.
People gather around Tudikhel to watch the horse parade and performances by the Nepali Army. The army also takes it as an opportunity to display their skills as paratroopers drop down from planes flying close overhead.
Festival of horses
It is believed Ghode Jatra was organized to celebrate the victory over a demon named Tundi who lived on a meadow, which is now at Tundikhel, Tundi was a big terror for the people of Kathmandu. When he died people cheered by dancing onto his body by riding horses. It is believed that galloping of horses on Ghode Jatra at Tundikhel keeps the demon’s spirit under the ground. The faster the horses run, the better Tundi’s spirit is dispelled.
