Ghode Jatra fest today

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Mar. 29: Ghode Jatra, known as the Horse Racing Day, which falls on the Nepali month of Chaitra, is being celebrated in the Kathmandu Valley with much zest on Saturday. According to mythology, the festival originated after the death of a demon named Tundi, who used to reside in and around the area now known as Tundikhel and instigate terror among the Kathmandu denizens. After his death, people began celebrating by riding horses over his body and rejoicing with dance. 

Ghode Jatra marks the victory over the death of the demon named Tundi. 

The Nepali Army marks the occasion by organising horse races at Tundikhel in the presence of VIPs.  

In addition to the main celebration, a special event called "Ekal Ghode Jatra" (Single Horse Parade) will be observed in Patan, Lalitpur, also on Saturday. 

According to locals, this tradition has been carried out by the Bhimsen Guthi of Balkumari Jyapu tol since the Malla era. Trustee Arjun Maharjan stated that the Ghode Jatra was initiated by the Malla-era King Shiva Singh Malla, locally known as Simsim King. He also claimed that this jatra in Lalitpur is believed to be older than the one in Kathmandu.

According to Lalitpur Metropolitan City, Ghode Jatra continues to be celebrated to preserve this age-old tradition. This festival has been observed since ancient times.

The trustees arrange horses for the festival by bringing them from the Nepal Army’s Cavalry unit.

The Ekal Ghode Jatra will end after the circumambulation of the Ganesh and Bal Kumari temples in Patan three times. After completing the single-horse parade, all the participants will sit in the inn house of Bal Kumari and eat Prasad.

This Jatra began with the trustees ritually performing a puja on Friday.