Kathmandu, April 7
Ghode Jatra is being celebrated in the Kathmandu Valley on Thursday. It is one of the historic festivals celebrated in the valley.
According to a folklore, a demon used to trouble valley folks by devouring children. Later, a horse is said to have trampled on the evil and killed it. This festival marks the killing of the demon.
As per another folklore, this festival marks the start of a new year. In those days, a horse race used to be organised to mark the occasion and this festival is the continuation of that tradition.
On this day, the Nepali Army organises Ghode Jatra, literally a fare of horses, at Tundikhel in Kathmandu, whereas in Patan of Lalitpur, a lone horse run is organised to mark the festival.
