In many parts of the world, mourning the loss of a family member is a silent and somber experience. However, in Nepal's Kathmandu Valley, the Newar people honor departed loved ones with loud drums, colorful processions, and lively dancing. The annual Sa: Paru festival, also known as Gai Jatra, brings whole communities together to give the dead a joyful farewell as their souls move toward salvation.
In the city of Bhaktapur, located about 13 kilometers from the capital city of Kathmandu, festival preparations rely on community cooperation. Neighbors gather to help grieving families build tall bamboo structures called taha: sa. These tall structures are wrapped in colored cloth—red for women and white for men—and decorated with photographs of the deceased, depictions of deities, umbrellas, and artwork of sacred cows.
On the main day of the festival, the streets fill with people playing drums, ringing bells, and performing the traditional Ghintang Ghisi stick dance alongside the swaying bamboo structures. Participants wear traditional clothes, modern outfits, or even humorous political masks. While celebrations in most of the Kathmandu Valley last for a single day, the festival in Bhaktapur continues for eight days with dance performances across the city.
Historians believe that Sa: Paru dates back to the 14th century and was later expanded by King Pratap Malla to comfort his grieving wife after their son died. Today, local leaders and residents explain that the festival does not celebrate death itself, but rather helps families share their sorrow publicly while helping departed souls find peace.