Ghoda jatra or horse racing day, is a one day festival is celebrated by mostly the newar community of kathmandu, with processions and ritual ceremonies for the deities, Nepalese from all over the country come to enjoy a lively and bustling day of horsemanship. The days races and performances take place at the Tundikhel pareade grounds, located just east of the General post office in central kathmandu.
Various activities are organized by the Nepalese military: a show of military weaponry, horse and motor cycle racing and gymnastic activities, altogether lasting approximately two hours. The winners receive medals presented by the king. The races usually start in mid afternoon, between 2-3 pm. The event supposedly originated as the celebration of a battle in which an oppressive demon was defeated by kathmandu inhabitants. The spirit of the demon is said to be imprisoned beneath the parade grounds. Nepalese believe that the annual trampling of the horses, hooves above the grave keeps the demon subdued for another year.
This festival attended by the king and the Kumari, the living Goddess of kathmandu. Shortly befre the annual races begin the kumari is taken from her house in Durbar Square and carried on a palanquin through Indrachowk and the alleysways of kathmandu. Escorted by Gurkha Guards and 18th century regalia. She is taken to the second storey of the Nepal airlines building to watch the festivities from a calmer and quieter location. While the horse racing festival carries on in kathmandu a parody of the festival takes place in nearby patan. A horse and his rider are both fed strong newari spirits until inebriated and, urged on by a shouting crowd, careen around the streets with wild abandon. This one horse race, in humorous contrast to the sober military display of kathmandu, is founded in an ancient rivalry between the two kingdom capitals. Ghoda jatra in kathmandu and patan is generally regarded as a time of revelry, when drinking, singing, and dancing take place. The festivities end at sunset when weary observers make their way back home to sleep off the days celebrations.
