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Jatra festival in Nepal covers three of the Jatra festivals in Nepal, namely the Ghode Jatra, Gai Jatra and the Indra Jatra. The Ghode Jatra is the festival of horses usually celebrated in the month of March and April. This Jatra festival in Nepal includes a grand parade of different varieties of horses at Tundikhel. This festival as such has no religious significance bit this doesn't stop he tourists to flock in large numbers to witness this celebration. The main features of Ghode Jatra are the horse races and the variety of sports activities performed by the Nepal Army. The Royal family of Nepal along with the King never forgets to be a part of the celebrations.
The second most popular Jatra festival at Nepal is that of the Gai Jatra. This festival is celebrated in the month of Bhadra or August and September. The festival basically includes a procession of cows of all varieties available in the country. The Nepalese observe this festival since ancient times when people used to fear Yamraj or the god of death a lot. The Gai Jatra however took its most popular form in the medieval period during the reign of the Malla kings.
The third important Jatra festival of Nepal is that of the “Indra Jatra”. This festival is celebrated both by the Hindus as well as by the Buddhists in the month of September. The Indra Jatra stretches up to eight days. The first day is marked by the erection of a long pole in front of the Royal Palace which is done to appease the God of Rains, Indra. “Kumari” puja is carried out on the third day.
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