Ghode Jatra, the annual festival of horses, was observed at Tundikhel ground in Kathmandu on Thursday.

President Bidhya Devi Bhandari, Vice President Nanda Bahadur Pun, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, Chief of Army Staff Rajendra Chhetri, senior government officials, and members of the diplomatic corps attended the event.

Nepal Army personnel performed various equestrian skills and stunts on the occasion.

The tradition of Ghode Jatra celebration is associated with a popular legend of demon Tundi, who preyed on the Kathmandu Valley denizens in the ancient time. It is believed that the festival is observed to celebrate the demon’s death, and the clamour of horses’ hooves at Tundikhel on the day of Ghode Jatra acts as a spell to calm the demon’s spirit.

Members of public watch from outside

Just like previous years, common people did not get entry inside Tundikhel to watch the Ghode Jatra event. While President Bhandari, Prime Minister Oli and senior government officials enjoyed the show from the pavilion, ordinary folks watched it from outside the iron fence. Some people even climbed up the nearby trees and on the fence to get a better view.

Thirty-seven-year-old Mamata Dhakal had come from Dhobi Chaur to watch the Ghode Jatra event at Tundikhel with her three-year-old son. She said she

had been coming to Tundikhel on the day since she was a little girl.

“As long as I can remember, this is how I’ve watched Ghode Jatra,” said Mamata, expressing astonishment at how the way of watching the festival for the general public has not changed after all these years. “I don’t understand why they do not make seating arrangements for the public.”

Alok Thami, a college student, said it was sad that the members of the public were forced to climb trees and fence line to watch the event.

“This doesn’t look good at all. People on trees, fence and overhead bridges. If they construct seats and start a ticket system, I’m sure the people will be more than happy to pay and enjoy the show from inside,” Thami said.