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Gai Jatra
 The gai or cow is holy to Hindus. She represents Laxmi the
goddess wealth and guides the soul of the departed to the
gates of the Netherworld. But gai jatra is not a somber
occasion. Satire jokes fancy costumes and colourful processions
are the order of the day as people recall how and
eighteenth-century king rallied his people to cheer his queen
upon the death of their son. Those who have experienced the
death of close ones during the past year share their sorrow and
take comfort in the fact that the gai has safely transported the
departed souls on their afterlife journey. Young men wearing
women's saris children dressed up as cows and whimsical
characters of all sorts fill the streets. Special issues of
local magazines poke fun at everyone and everything-even the
most important people aren't spared.
Krishna Janmastami
Krishnashtami or the birth of Lord Krishna is celebrated in
commemoration of the hero of the Hindu epic Mahabharata. On this
day worshippers carry ornate decorated statues and pictures of
Lord Krishna through the streets often with bands of musicians
following or preceding the procession. In Patan thousands of
devotees flock to the Krishna temple to worship and receive
blessing.
Teej
 Pashupati the temple of Shiva is drenched in crimson during
Teej as women in their fine red weeding saris crowd the temple
grounds. This unique women's festival is marked by fasting folk
songs and dancing as the women recall Parbati's devotion to her
husband Shiva. Married women visit their fathers homes. All
daughter and sisters receive gifts from their malekin and an
elaborate feast is prepared for them. It's a loed and cheerful
celebration until late at night when strict fasting begins.
Unmarried who fast on this day will have good luck in finding
suitable husbands. Married women who fast will find their
husbands faihtful and will see the borid of love grow. The
blessing of Shiva and Parbatiensure that family life will be
joyous for all.
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