The annual festival of Ghode Jatra, known as the Horse Racing Day which falls on the Nepali month of Chaitra, is being celebrated in Tundikhel, located in the Kathmandu valley with much gusto on Monday. It is known as the oldest festival celebrated in the country's cultural hub of the valley.
The annual festival of Ghode Jatra, known as the Horse Racing Day was celebrated in Tundikhel, located in the capital ctiy's, Kathmandu valley with much enthusiam on Monday.
It is known as the oldest festival celebrated in the country's cultural hub and capital, Kathmandu.
Nepal Army showed off their skills as they performed various equestrian stunts to commemorate the occasion.
The festival is celebrated in the Nepali month of Chaitra annually, as per a mythology which relates the origin of the festival after the death of a demon named Tundi.
Legend has it that the demon lived on a meadow, now Tundikhel, used to instigate terror among the Kathmandu citizens. Upon his death the citizens rejoiced by dancing on his body by riding horses.
It is a widely circulated belief that the parade of horses at Tundikhel - reputed to have been the largest parade ground in Asia - keeps the demon's spirit away.
The faster the horses run, the better Tundi's spirit is banished.
1. Ghode Jatra
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Hairs of a horse tied with ribbons are pictured during the religious Ghode Jatra festival, organised by the Nepal army, in Kathmandu, Nepal, March 27, 2017.
Image courtesy: Reuters
2. Ghode Jatra
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Nepalese soldiers take part in the Ghode Jatra (horse race) festival in Kathmandu on March 27, 2017. The Nepalese army celebrates the Ghode Jatra festival every year with various equestrian activities.
Image courtesy: AFP
3. Ghode Jatra
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Nepalese soldiers take part in the Ghode Jatra (horse race) festival in Kathmandu on March 27, 2017. The Nepalese army celebrates the Ghode Jatra festival every year with various equestrian activities.
Image courtesy: AFP
4. Ghode Jatra
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Nepalese soldiers play polo during the Ghode Jatra (horse race) festival in Kathmandu on March 27, 2017. The Nepalese army celebrates the Ghode Jatra festival every year with various equestrian activities.
Image courtesy: AFP
5. Equine Art
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A tail of a horse is decorated with a bow during the religious Ghode Jatra festival, organised by the Nepal army, in Kathmandu, Nepal.
Image courtesy: Reuters
6. Nepali soldier
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Nepal army soldier demonstrates his skills on a horse during the religious Ghode Jatra festival, organised by the Nepal army, in Kathmandu, Nepal.
Image courtesy: Reuters
7. Female soldier during Ghode Jatra
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Nepal army soldier demonstrates her skills on a horse during the religious Ghode Jatra festival, organised by the Nepal army, in Kathmandu, Nepal.
Image courtesy: Reuters
8. Ghode Jatra
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Nepalese army soldiers demonstrate their horse riding skills during the Ghode Jatra festival, an annual horse festival in Kathmandu, Nepal, Monday, March 27, 2017. According to legend, the festival is held to celebrate the victory over a demon named Tundi and people believe that the clamor of horses' hooves during the festival keeps the demon's spirit away.
Image courtesy: Reuters
9. Soldiers play horse ball
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Nepal army soldiers play horse ball during the religious Ghode Jatra festival, organised by the Nepal army.
Image courtesy: Reuters
10. Nepal Army
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Nepal army soldier demonstrates his skills on a horse during the religious Ghode Jatra festival.
Image courtesy: Reuters
11. The Living Goddess
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A Nepalese priest carries the Living Goddess, the Kumari, during the Ghode Jatra (Horse Race) Festival in Kathmandu on March 27, 2017.The Kumari is worshipped by both Hindus and Buddhists as a living goddess and a protector bringing good luck and prosperity.
Image courtesy: AFP
12. Kumari
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A Nepalese priest carries the Living Goddess, the Kumari, during the Ghode Jatra (Horse Race) Festival in Kathmandu on March 27, 2017.The Kumari is worshipped by both Hindus and Buddhists as a living goddess and a protector bringing good luck and prosperity.
Image courtesy: AFP
