Mar 21, Kathmandu: The Ghode Jatra festival which is celebrated every year on the day of Chaitra Krishna Aunsi is being celebrated today by organizing various programs, especially in Kathmandu Valley.

In the presence of President Ram Chandra Poudel and the Supreme Commander of the Nepalese Army, the Nepalese Army is conducting a horse procession program at Sainik Manch Tundikhel. On this occasion, the Directorate of Military Public Relations and Information will organize a horse-riding ceremony with an interesting program full of various equestrian performances on the military platform.

In the ceremony, various exciting arts such as the Tangan horse race, show jump, flag hoisting, drill ride, and equestrian archery will be performed in two stages under the equestrian arts. According to popular belief, a demon named Gurumapa, who lived in a tree in the east-south direction of Tundikhel, used to eat the children of the city. The victimized locals killed it by various means.

The local residents were afraid that the ghost of the monster might wake up again and harm the children. For this reason, every year on the day of Chaitra Krishna Aunsi, the spirit of Gurumapa is trampled on by a horse. Also, food is also given to Gurumapa at the foot of the same tree tonight so that there is no danger to any children in the city.

After doing this, the residents of the capital believe that children will not be in danger from Gurumapa throughout the year. On behalf of the Nepali Army, horsemanship, motorcycle sports, physical exercise, martial arts, etc. will be performed today in Tundikhel. Even today in Lalitpur, there is a tradition of celebrating Ghodejatra by running a young horse.

On this occasion, the government has also given a public holiday in Kathmandu Valley. According to the directorate, out of the 66 horses used in the horse race, 10 are used for buggies, 46 for equestrians,s and 10 for special races. Nepal Television and other electronic media will broadcast the ceremony live.