Annual festival of Horse racing "Ghode Jatra" celebrated in Nepal with gusto
Xinhua, April 7, 2016 Adjust font size:
The annual festival of Horse Racing known as Ghode Jatra was celebrated here on Thursday with merriment.
The festival that falls on the Nepali month of Chaitra is regarded as the oldest festival in the valley where dozens of horses belonging to Nepal Cavalry participated in various artistic stunts.
President Bidhya Devi Bhandari, who is also the supreme commander of the Nepal Army, presented in the function along with Vice President Nanda Bahadur Pun, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, chiefs of security bodies, representatives from diplomatic mission and various high level government officials.
The horses of Nepal Cavalry performed Rise Pass, Pony Race, Charger Race, Tent Pegging, Cross Tent Pegging, Sword Stunt, Vaulting and Fire Jump, among others.
Nepal Cavalry which was raised during the reign of Surendra Bikram Shah in 1849 AD has been participating in different state ceremonies since its inception.
As per mythology, the festival is celebrated at Nepal Army pavilion in Tudikhel to free the spirit of a demon named "Tundi", who used to live on the same meadow. It is believed that the parade of horses at this particular place will dispel the spirit of demon.
As per other mythology, it is said that the festival Ghode Jatra is celebrated to mark the start of Nepali New Year that falls on mid-April.
The Nepal government provides a public holiday very year on the occasion of Ghode Jatra festival within the Kathmandu valley. Enditem