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GHODE JATRA HISTORY, SIGNIFICANE, VIDEO, UNSEEN SIDE What can be fascinating than a Ghode Jatra (horse parade) in the middle of the city in the month where cold is just taking a leave from the country. Sends a chill down the spine added all the thumps made by the running horses. Well, the thought of it seems serene to the readers.
Ghode Jatra Ghode Jatra, also known as horse parade, is one of the highly watched spectacles in the beautiful country of Nepal. The event takes place in the heart of the capital. What makes it unique is the association of prominent personalities and be bewitched by the skills of the horse riders. There is more to horse parade than just the event and skill set.
GHODE JATRA HISTORY One of the oldest event that is as old as the city well Ghode Jatra tends to amaze people every time. But there is a fewer number of people who are aware of why this event takes place in the middle of the city. Well, hundreds of years ago, when people of the nation completed their trade-in Lhasa, they returned. In the midst of things, they decided to take rest along with the porters and the horses that came along with them.
The place where all of the humans and the animals rested was known as Tundikhel. Before this as and when the children disappeared from the city, people believed that it was the work of the demon Tundi or cannibals.
PIKEY PEAK TREK IN NEPAL >> So in the far sight to scare away this demon, the porters were asked to run horses and ultimately save the city from the bad grip. Well, for the starters, it was for that moment, and momentarily, things changed, and the event was started till this date. If the readers of this article visit Tundikhel, you would know that people fed the tree in the open place hundred of years back, and well the tree is still available there in the middle of Tundikhel.
SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS EVENT As the event takes place in the center of the city, Tundikhel well one cultural group of the capital, celebrates it with a feast(bhoj). The Newar community tends to throw in a party where the closed ones are treated with food and warm gesture.
Performer showing skill in Ghode Jatra However, the idea of this celebration can be taken in another way too. This celebration is highly characterized as the change of the season. As the feast is thrown in, the food consumed there tends to blend well with the human body’s needs and also protect an individual from the sickness that comes along with the change in the season.
GHODEJATRA AT PRESENT Well, the trend of scaring the devil away went on, and at this point, the event has taken a considerable shape. People tend to enjoy the event and feel so humbled to be part of it. Ghode Jatra takes place in March or the Nepali month of Chaitra. For this year, however, it takes place precisely on March 17, 2020. When the event gets started, the horse racer tends to gear up to show their skills. The grand event is attended by the army top generals along with the top government officials and diplomats. MANASLU CIRCUIT TREK IN NEPAL >> Not only in the ground, but the paratroopers show their skills from planes flying close by and making the proceeding so thrilling to watch out. If you are around in March, you ought to visit this event without a doubt. Although the generals and top officials get the taste up close, the general people must enjoy the event from outside the Tundikhel periphery. There is a belief in the people around that if the horses are ridden too quickly, the spirit of Tundi will be suppressed. Moreover, acrobats and performance are way too loud to other general events. Added to that, the running horses are said to be a good sign, and it is also the welcome to the new Nepali year with great positivity.
WHAT ADDS THE SPARK TO GHODE JATRA People might be well known about the event that takes place in Tundikhel, but there is more to that. Most of the people might not know, but Ghode Jatra falls within the festivals of Pahancharhe.
Pahanchare It is a three-day festival where the first day resonates with the cleaning of the surrounding. The second day is the actual Ghode Jatra event taking place in Tundikhel. Lastly, the third day resembles throwing feast to the married sisters or daughters who return to their home. The Newar community, who are believed to be the actual inhabitants of the city, tend to perform their rituals to the event. The night before the Ghode Jatra, the deities like Goddess Bhadrakali, Goddess Kankeshwari, Lumadi, Bhairav are carried over the streets of Asan, and they are dashed against each other near the Annapurna temple.
GHODE JATRA UNSEEN SIDE When this event takes place in the streets of Kathmandu, Patan has its way of making things happen. An event-related to Ghode Jatra takes place in Balkumari, Patan. To be precise, a horse is fed with a considerable amount of alcohol until it gets intoxicated. The similar intoxication takes place for a man too. Likewise, the man is ridden on the horse, and he has to ride it through. Hold on, here comes the exciting part. The people watching this event are made to frighten the horse and make it run wild. After the mission is successful, the drunk rider is all by himself to save his life and riding the horse. Sounds exciting and scary but surely much fun.
MONKEY TEMPLE KATHMANDU (SWAYAMBHUNATH STUPA) >> It might sound astounding to readers. But on the same day, two different places have two different kinds of the event, be it Kathmandu and Patan. The people of these places, too, have unmatching views about which one is more exciting. Well, there is one way to find out by attending both of them with great curiosity. As and when the readers of this article get time to indulge yourself in the beauty of unity in diversity.