Sat Gaule Jatra in Kirtipur: A Unique Newar Festival in Nepal

Sat Gaule Jatra is a Hindu festival celebrated around early December that marks the arrival of winter. “Sat” means seven and “Gaule” means village, referring to seven villages believed to be the homes of seven goddesses. The three-day festival features images of gods and goddesses decorated with flowers, sugarcane, and gold, carried through the streets on a chariot as men dance and walk through the crowd. 

Sat Gaule Jatra is one of the famous Hindu festivals that is celebrated around the beginning of December; it marks the arrival of winter. The meaning of Sat is seven, and the meaning of Gaule is village. In a legend, it said that when priests were paying Homage to the gods, suddenly seven pigeons fell into the fire as some sacrifices for the gods. This is one of the reasons why the festival is called such. Moreover, this festival touches seven villages, Boshigaun, Naikap, Saturgal, Lunkot, Macchegaun, Naikap, and Kirtipur. Those seven villages were seen as the home of seven different goddesses. This is why on the morning of Sat Gaule Jatra, people bring the picture of the goddess to their mother’s house, Bishnudevi Temple. In Kirtipur, it is still very passionately celebrated. Sat Gaule lasts three days; the 1st is called choila boo (in reference to a Newar dish of spiced grilled buffalo?), and the 2nd and 3rd are called Sinaya. On this day, people bring images of gods and goddesses; they heavily adorn the pictures with flowers, sugarcane, gold jewelry, and tikas. They pray to the gods early in the morning as a ritual. You can see some images on a giant chariot that multiple men carry; they dance and walk through the crowd with it to honor the divinities. On choila boo, the 1st day, they celebrate gods, and on the 3rd, they honor goddesses. 
It is said that those divinities were part of the family before; however, because of some complicated situation, they had to part away from the family. This is one of the reasons why they celebrate this festival with great energy and loyalty.

It is a real opportunity to see this festival, as it is a perfect example of a Nepali festivity. People can enjoy time together, sharing a lot of energy and good mood while honoring their gods. This way, travelers can witness an authentic way of celebrating a festival.

( If you want there is a music about this festival : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzRdH5Dwu28 )

Sat Gaule Jatra in Kirtipur Community Homestay 

Kirtipur is an ancient town which offers splendid historical architecture, a lot of Newari art and typical Newar culture. This culturally rich town has retained its culture and traditions with the unified effort of the community and the numbers of festivals celebrated here. Among all the festivals celebrated here Saatgaunle Jatra is the festival celebrated only in Kirtipur. Sat Gaule Jatra is a unique experience as it only happens in Kirtipur, one of the seven cities. This is why every community takes responsibility for celebrating Sat Gaule Jatra.
In Kirtipur, the legend of Gaule Jatra takes another form than the one you have just heard about. The story tells that Demons who lived in a place called Lakhe Dhopa, an open land, would come to villages in the evening and take kids away. The villagers lived in fear for their children; they were tired of the demons and felt powerless. However, one day, Indrayeni God came and killed the demons; people felt happy and relieved after this. Ever since this day, the villagers started to worship Indrayeni God, and from that day, Indrayeni Jatra was celebrated.
Living this festival you will have the opportunity to soak in the devotion while worshiping the devotees. It is a great moment to share with the family but not only, but also with the whole city. On this day, you can eat bhoj, takha, or piro takha, which includes fish; it is a particular dish. 
In Kirtipur, they celebrate it with the construction of the chariot of the Indrayeni God in the Bagh Bhairav temple one day before the festival. In the morning, people make animal sacrifices. A bit later in the day, when the chariot is brought to Lyakhu place, and people do puja. This is how Saat Gaule Jatra is celebrated in the Kirtipur community. This celebration allows you to deepen your experience in Kirtipur and will leave an unforgettable memory in your adventure in Nepal.