"Tharu communities"

#12632230

10 August 2025

People dress as cows and parade through the alleyways and courtyards of the Kathmandu Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage site, in Kathmandu, Nepal, on August 10, 2025, to commemorate their loved ones who have passed away within a year, praying for their salvation. Dressed as cows, who are on a brief pilgrimage to give salvation to the souls of their departed loved ones, thousands of people march through Basantapur Durbar Square, marking the annual festival of Gai Jatra. In this time-honored tradition, people of all ages, in the guise of cows and lunatics, go around the city wearing odd costumes to commemorate those who have died within the past year. Bereaved families offer fruits, bread, beaten rice, curd, and money to those participating in the procession, including the cows. This festival of cows, commonly called ''Gai Jatra'' or the ''Cow Festival,'' falls on the first day of the waning moon in the month of Bhadra (Bhadra Sukla Pratipada), the fifth month of the Lunar calendar. It is mostly observed by the Newari and Tharu communities of Nepal. According to sayings, the festival derives its name from the religious belief that the deceased, during their journey to heaven, cross a legendary river by grabbing the tail of a cow. The tails of cows demonstrated today are also credited for helping the deceased to get across Baitarni, a legendary river, to enter heaven. The persons who are demonstrated with the attire of a cow also have an artificial tail, which serves the same purpose.

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#12632231

10 August 2025

People dress as cows and parade through the alleyways and courtyards of the Kathmandu Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage site, in Kathmandu, Nepal, on August 10, 2025, to commemorate their loved ones who have passed away within a year, praying for their salvation. Dressed as cows, who are on a brief pilgrimage to give salvation to the souls of their departed loved ones, thousands of people march through Basantapur Durbar Square, marking the annual festival of Gai Jatra. In this time-honored tradition, people of all ages, in the guise of cows and lunatics, go around the city wearing odd costumes to commemorate those who have died within the past year. Bereaved families offer fruits, bread, beaten rice, curd, and money to those participating in the procession, including the cows. This festival of cows, commonly called ''Gai Jatra'' or the ''Cow Festival,'' falls on the first day of the waning moon in the month of Bhadra (Bhadra Sukla Pratipada), the fifth month of the Lunar calendar. It is mostly observed by the Newari and Tharu communities of Nepal. According to sayings, the festival derives its name from the religious belief that the deceased, during their journey to heaven, cross a legendary river by grabbing the tail of a cow. The tails of cows demonstrated today are also credited for helping the deceased to get across Baitarni, a legendary river, to enter heaven. The persons who are demonstrated with the attire of a cow also have an artificial tail, which serves the same purpose.

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#12632232

10 August 2025

People dress as cows and parade through the alleyways and courtyards of the Kathmandu Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage site, in Kathmandu, Nepal, on August 10, 2025, to commemorate their loved ones who have passed away within a year, praying for their salvation. Dressed as cows, who are on a brief pilgrimage to give salvation to the souls of their departed loved ones, thousands of people march through Basantapur Durbar Square, marking the annual festival of Gai Jatra. In this time-honored tradition, people of all ages, in the guise of cows and lunatics, go around the city wearing odd costumes to commemorate those who have died within the past year. Bereaved families offer fruits, bread, beaten rice, curd, and money to those participating in the procession, including the cows. This festival of cows, commonly called ''Gai Jatra'' or the ''Cow Festival,'' falls on the first day of the waning moon in the month of Bhadra (Bhadra Sukla Pratipada), the fifth month of the Lunar calendar. It is mostly observed by the Newari and Tharu communities of Nepal. According to sayings, the festival derives its name from the religious belief that the deceased, during their journey to heaven, cross a legendary river by grabbing the tail of a cow. The tails of cows demonstrated today are also credited for helping the deceased to get across Baitarni, a legendary river, to enter heaven. The persons who are demonstrated with the attire of a cow also have an artificial tail, which serves the same purpose.

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#12632233

10 August 2025

People dress as cows and parade through the alleyways and courtyards of the Kathmandu Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage site, in Kathmandu, Nepal, on August 10, 2025, to commemorate their loved ones who have passed away within a year, praying for their salvation. Dressed as cows, who are on a brief pilgrimage to give salvation to the souls of their departed loved ones, thousands of people march through Basantapur Durbar Square, marking the annual festival of Gai Jatra. In this time-honored tradition, people of all ages, in the guise of cows and lunatics, go around the city wearing odd costumes to commemorate those who have died within the past year. Bereaved families offer fruits, bread, beaten rice, curd, and money to those participating in the procession, including the cows. This festival of cows, commonly called ''Gai Jatra'' or the ''Cow Festival,'' falls on the first day of the waning moon in the month of Bhadra (Bhadra Sukla Pratipada), the fifth month of the Lunar calendar. It is mostly observed by the Newari and Tharu communities of Nepal. According to sayings, the festival derives its name from the religious belief that the deceased, during their journey to heaven, cross a legendary river by grabbing the tail of a cow. The tails of cows demonstrated today are also credited for helping the deceased to get across Baitarni, a legendary river, to enter heaven. The persons who are demonstrated with the attire of a cow also have an artificial tail, which serves the same purpose.

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#12632234

10 August 2025

People dress as cows and parade through the alleyways and courtyards of the Kathmandu Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage site, in Kathmandu, Nepal, on August 10, 2025, to commemorate their loved ones who have passed away within a year, praying for their salvation. Dressed as cows, who are on a brief pilgrimage to give salvation to the souls of their departed loved ones, thousands of people march through Basantapur Durbar Square, marking the annual festival of Gai Jatra. In this time-honored tradition, people of all ages, in the guise of cows and lunatics, go around the city wearing odd costumes to commemorate those who have died within the past year. Bereaved families offer fruits, bread, beaten rice, curd, and money to those participating in the procession, including the cows. This festival of cows, commonly called ''Gai Jatra'' or the ''Cow Festival,'' falls on the first day of the waning moon in the month of Bhadra (Bhadra Sukla Pratipada), the fifth month of the Lunar calendar. It is mostly observed by the Newari and Tharu communities of Nepal. According to sayings, the festival derives its name from the religious belief that the deceased, during their journey to heaven, cross a legendary river by grabbing the tail of a cow. The tails of cows demonstrated today are also credited for helping the deceased to get across Baitarni, a legendary river, to enter heaven. The persons who are demonstrated with the attire of a cow also have an artificial tail, which serves the same purpose.

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#12632236

10 August 2025

People dress as cows and parade through the alleyways and courtyards of the Kathmandu Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage site, in Kathmandu, Nepal, on August 10, 2025, to commemorate their loved ones who have passed away within a year, praying for their salvation. Dressed as cows, who are on a brief pilgrimage to give salvation to the souls of their departed loved ones, thousands of people march through Basantapur Durbar Square, marking the annual festival of Gai Jatra. In this time-honored tradition, people of all ages, in the guise of cows and lunatics, go around the city wearing odd costumes to commemorate those who have died within the past year. Bereaved families offer fruits, bread, beaten rice, curd, and money to those participating in the procession, including the cows. This festival of cows, commonly called ''Gai Jatra'' or the ''Cow Festival,'' falls on the first day of the waning moon in the month of Bhadra (Bhadra Sukla Pratipada), the fifth month of the Lunar calendar. It is mostly observed by the Newari and Tharu communities of Nepal. According to sayings, the festival derives its name from the religious belief that the deceased, during their journey to heaven, cross a legendary river by grabbing the tail of a cow. The tails of cows demonstrated today are also credited for helping the deceased to get across Baitarni, a legendary river, to enter heaven. The persons who are demonstrated with the attire of a cow also have an artificial tail, which serves the same purpose.

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#12632237

10 August 2025

People dress as cows and parade through the alleyways and courtyards of the Kathmandu Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage site, in Kathmandu, Nepal, on August 10, 2025, to commemorate their loved ones who have passed away within a year, praying for their salvation. Dressed as cows, who are on a brief pilgrimage to give salvation to the souls of their departed loved ones, thousands of people march through Basantapur Durbar Square, marking the annual festival of Gai Jatra. In this time-honored tradition, people of all ages, in the guise of cows and lunatics, go around the city wearing odd costumes to commemorate those who have died within the past year. Bereaved families offer fruits, bread, beaten rice, curd, and money to those participating in the procession, including the cows. This festival of cows, commonly called ''Gai Jatra'' or the ''Cow Festival,'' falls on the first day of the waning moon in the month of Bhadra (Bhadra Sukla Pratipada), the fifth month of the Lunar calendar. It is mostly observed by the Newari and Tharu communities of Nepal. According to sayings, the festival derives its name from the religious belief that the deceased, during their journey to heaven, cross a legendary river by grabbing the tail of a cow. The tails of cows demonstrated today are also credited for helping the deceased to get across Baitarni, a legendary river, to enter heaven. The persons who are demonstrated with the attire of a cow also have an artificial tail, which serves the same purpose.

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#12632239

10 August 2025

People dress as cows and parade through the alleyways and courtyards of the Kathmandu Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage site, in Kathmandu, Nepal, on August 10, 2025, to commemorate their loved ones who have passed away within a year, praying for their salvation. Dressed as cows, who are on a brief pilgrimage to give salvation to the souls of their departed loved ones, thousands of people march through Basantapur Durbar Square, marking the annual festival of Gai Jatra. In this time-honored tradition, people of all ages, in the guise of cows and lunatics, go around the city wearing odd costumes to commemorate those who have died within the past year. Bereaved families offer fruits, bread, beaten rice, curd, and money to those participating in the procession, including the cows. This festival of cows, commonly called ''Gai Jatra'' or the ''Cow Festival,'' falls on the first day of the waning moon in the month of Bhadra (Bhadra Sukla Pratipada), the fifth month of the Lunar calendar. It is mostly observed by the Newari and Tharu communities of Nepal. According to sayings, the festival derives its name from the religious belief that the deceased, during their journey to heaven, cross a legendary river by grabbing the tail of a cow. The tails of cows demonstrated today are also credited for helping the deceased to get across Baitarni, a legendary river, to enter heaven. The persons who are demonstrated with the attire of a cow also have an artificial tail, which serves the same purpose.

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#12632241

10 August 2025

People dress as cows and parade through the alleyways and courtyards of the Kathmandu Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage site, in Kathmandu, Nepal, on August 10, 2025, to commemorate their loved ones who have passed away within a year, praying for their salvation. Dressed as cows, who are on a brief pilgrimage to give salvation to the souls of their departed loved ones, thousands of people march through Basantapur Durbar Square, marking the annual festival of Gai Jatra. In this time-honored tradition, people of all ages, in the guise of cows and lunatics, go around the city wearing odd costumes to commemorate those who have died within the past year. Bereaved families offer fruits, bread, beaten rice, curd, and money to those participating in the procession, including the cows. This festival of cows, commonly called ''Gai Jatra'' or the ''Cow Festival,'' falls on the first day of the waning moon in the month of Bhadra (Bhadra Sukla Pratipada), the fifth month of the Lunar calendar. It is mostly observed by the Newari and Tharu communities of Nepal. According to sayings, the festival derives its name from the religious belief that the deceased, during their journey to heaven, cross a legendary river by grabbing the tail of a cow. The tails of cows demonstrated today are also credited for helping the deceased to get across Baitarni, a legendary river, to enter heaven. The persons who are demonstrated with the attire of a cow also have an artificial tail, which serves the same purpose.

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#12632242

10 August 2025

People dress as cows and parade through the alleyways and courtyards of the Kathmandu Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage site, in Kathmandu, Nepal, on August 10, 2025, to commemorate their loved ones who have passed away within a year, praying for their salvation. Dressed as cows, who are on a brief pilgrimage to give salvation to the souls of their departed loved ones, thousands of people march through Basantapur Durbar Square, marking the annual festival of Gai Jatra. In this time-honored tradition, people of all ages, in the guise of cows and lunatics, go around the city wearing odd costumes to commemorate those who have died within the past year. Bereaved families offer fruits, bread, beaten rice, curd, and money to those participating in the procession, including the cows. This festival of cows, commonly called ''Gai Jatra'' or the ''Cow Festival,'' falls on the first day of the waning moon in the month of Bhadra (Bhadra Sukla Pratipada), the fifth month of the Lunar calendar. It is mostly observed by the Newari and Tharu communities of Nepal. According to sayings, the festival derives its name from the religious belief that the deceased, during their journey to heaven, cross a legendary river by grabbing the tail of a cow. The tails of cows demonstrated today are also credited for helping the deceased to get across Baitarni, a legendary river, to enter heaven. The persons who are demonstrated with the attire of a cow also have an artificial tail, which serves the same purpose.

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#12256418

12 April 2025

Tattoo artists and enthusiasts get tattooed during the ''Nepal Tattoo Convention'' organized in Lalitpur, Nepal, on April 12, 2025. Tattoo culture in Nepal is one of the oldest traditions practiced widely by the Newa:, Tharu, Gurungs, and Magar, the aboriginals of the Himalayan nation. According to the younger generation, traditional tattoos lack precise details, linking them more to the communities and spiritual beliefs, but modern tattoo designs focus more on aesthetics. Driven by aesthetic values, younger generations now fuse traditional beliefs with modern designs to ink various parts of their bodies. In Kathmandu Valley, tattoos in the past were mostly done during the Jatras (festivals) and Melas (carnivals) like Rato Machindra Jatra and Indra Jatra. Kathmandu's Tebahal and Bhaktapur's Thimi are famous for tattoo art, which is called ''Lha: Chyogu'' in the Nepali Bhasha or the Newa: language. 'Lha' in Newa: means 'flesh' and 'chyogu' means 'writing'; the tattoo on the legs of Newari women symbolizes their strength, and a belief follows that a person takes nothing but the tattoos on their body after death. On the way to heaven, if one finds hardships, they can sell the tattoos and therefore make the way to heaven more comfortably. Back then, coal and milk were mixed with plants to produce colors for the ink used to design the tattoos. Now, inks are widely used, poured into a machine, and then run over the sketched areas of the body.

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#12256419

12 April 2025

Tattoo artists and enthusiasts get tattooed during the ''Nepal Tattoo Convention'' organized in Lalitpur, Nepal, on April 12, 2025. Tattoo culture in Nepal is one of the oldest traditions practiced widely by the Newa:, Tharu, Gurungs, and Magar, the aboriginals of the Himalayan nation. According to the younger generation, traditional tattoos lack precise details, linking them more to the communities and spiritual beliefs, but modern tattoo designs focus more on aesthetics. Driven by aesthetic values, younger generations now fuse traditional beliefs with modern designs to ink various parts of their bodies. In Kathmandu Valley, tattoos in the past were mostly done during the Jatras (festivals) and Melas (carnivals) like Rato Machindra Jatra and Indra Jatra. Kathmandu's Tebahal and Bhaktapur's Thimi are famous for tattoo art, which is called ''Lha: Chyogu'' in the Nepali Bhasha or the Newa: language. 'Lha' in Newa: means 'flesh' and 'chyogu' means 'writing'; the tattoo on the legs of Newari women symbolizes their strength, and a belief follows that a person takes nothing but the tattoos on their body after death. On the way to heaven, if one finds hardships, they can sell the tattoos and therefore make the way to heaven more comfortably. Back then, coal and milk were mixed with plants to produce colors for the ink used to design the tattoos. Now, inks are widely used, poured into a machine, and then run over the sketched areas of the body.

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#12256420

12 April 2025

Tattoo artists and enthusiasts get tattooed during the ''Nepal Tattoo Convention'' organized in Lalitpur, Nepal, on April 12, 2025. Tattoo culture in Nepal is one of the oldest traditions practiced widely by the Newa:, Tharu, Gurungs, and Magar, the aboriginals of the Himalayan nation. According to the younger generation, traditional tattoos lack precise details, linking them more to the communities and spiritual beliefs, but modern tattoo designs focus more on aesthetics. Driven by aesthetic values, younger generations now fuse traditional beliefs with modern designs to ink various parts of their bodies. In Kathmandu Valley, tattoos in the past were mostly done during the Jatras (festivals) and Melas (carnivals) like Rato Machindra Jatra and Indra Jatra. Kathmandu's Tebahal and Bhaktapur's Thimi are famous for tattoo art, which is called ''Lha: Chyogu'' in the Nepali Bhasha or the Newa: language. 'Lha' in Newa: means 'flesh' and 'chyogu' means 'writing'; the tattoo on the legs of Newari women symbolizes their strength, and a belief follows that a person takes nothing but the tattoos on their body after death. On the way to heaven, if one finds hardships, they can sell the tattoos and therefore make the way to heaven more comfortably. Back then, coal and milk were mixed with plants to produce colors for the ink used to design the tattoos. Now, inks are widely used, poured into a machine, and then run over the sketched areas of the body.

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#12256421

12 April 2025

Tattoo artists and enthusiasts get tattooed during the ''Nepal Tattoo Convention'' organized in Lalitpur, Nepal, on April 12, 2025. Tattoo culture in Nepal is one of the oldest traditions practiced widely by the Newa:, Tharu, Gurungs, and Magar, the aboriginals of the Himalayan nation. According to the younger generation, traditional tattoos lack precise details, linking them more to the communities and spiritual beliefs, but modern tattoo designs focus more on aesthetics. Driven by aesthetic values, younger generations now fuse traditional beliefs with modern designs to ink various parts of their bodies. In Kathmandu Valley, tattoos in the past were mostly done during the Jatras (festivals) and Melas (carnivals) like Rato Machindra Jatra and Indra Jatra. Kathmandu's Tebahal and Bhaktapur's Thimi are famous for tattoo art, which is called ''Lha: Chyogu'' in the Nepali Bhasha or the Newa: language. 'Lha' in Newa: means 'flesh' and 'chyogu' means 'writing'; the tattoo on the legs of Newari women symbolizes their strength, and a belief follows that a person takes nothing but the tattoos on their body after death. On the way to heaven, if one finds hardships, they can sell the tattoos and therefore make the way to heaven more comfortably. Back then, coal and milk were mixed with plants to produce colors for the ink used to design the tattoos. Now, inks are widely used, poured into a machine, and then run over the sketched areas of the body.

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#12256422

12 April 2025

Tattoo artists and enthusiasts get tattooed during the ''Nepal Tattoo Convention'' organized in Lalitpur, Nepal, on April 12, 2025. Tattoo culture in Nepal is one of the oldest traditions practiced widely by the Newa:, Tharu, Gurungs, and Magar, the aboriginals of the Himalayan nation. According to the younger generation, traditional tattoos lack precise details, linking them more to the communities and spiritual beliefs, but modern tattoo designs focus more on aesthetics. Driven by aesthetic values, younger generations now fuse traditional beliefs with modern designs to ink various parts of their bodies. In Kathmandu Valley, tattoos in the past were mostly done during the Jatras (festivals) and Melas (carnivals) like Rato Machindra Jatra and Indra Jatra. Kathmandu's Tebahal and Bhaktapur's Thimi are famous for tattoo art, which is called ''Lha: Chyogu'' in the Nepali Bhasha or the Newa: language. 'Lha' in Newa: means 'flesh' and 'chyogu' means 'writing'; the tattoo on the legs of Newari women symbolizes their strength, and a belief follows that a person takes nothing but the tattoos on their body after death. On the way to heaven, if one finds hardships, they can sell the tattoos and therefore make the way to heaven more comfortably. Back then, coal and milk were mixed with plants to produce colors for the ink used to design the tattoos. Now, inks are widely used, poured into a machine, and then run over the sketched areas of the body.

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#12256423

12 April 2025

Tattoo artists and enthusiasts get tattooed during the ''Nepal Tattoo Convention'' organized in Lalitpur, Nepal, on April 12, 2025. Tattoo culture in Nepal is one of the oldest traditions practiced widely by the Newa:, Tharu, Gurungs, and Magar, the aboriginals of the Himalayan nation. According to the younger generation, traditional tattoos lack precise details, linking them more to the communities and spiritual beliefs, but modern tattoo designs focus more on aesthetics. Driven by aesthetic values, younger generations now fuse traditional beliefs with modern designs to ink various parts of their bodies. In Kathmandu Valley, tattoos in the past were mostly done during the Jatras (festivals) and Melas (carnivals) like Rato Machindra Jatra and Indra Jatra. Kathmandu's Tebahal and Bhaktapur's Thimi are famous for tattoo art, which is called ''Lha: Chyogu'' in the Nepali Bhasha or the Newa: language. 'Lha' in Newa: means 'flesh' and 'chyogu' means 'writing'; the tattoo on the legs of Newari women symbolizes their strength, and a belief follows that a person takes nothing but the tattoos on their body after death. On the way to heaven, if one finds hardships, they can sell the tattoos and therefore make the way to heaven more comfortably. Back then, coal and milk were mixed with plants to produce colors for the ink used to design the tattoos. Now, inks are widely used, poured into a machine, and then run over the sketched areas of the body.

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