"2011 GAIJATRA: Blue Diamond Society (BDS) International PRIDE FESTIVAL" on 14th August 2011 in Bharatpur (Narayanghad Bazzar), Chitwan, Nepal.

This annual festival has become one of BDS premier events and draws crowds of local supporters as well as tourists, to join in the fun and enjoyment of the festivities. Even though BDS has been celebrating this unique festival for the last 9 years we have been promoting and making it an International Pride Event from last year. The theme for this year’s Gai Jatra is “bringing friends and families together for solidarity to equality, Protecting wildlife and Promoting Tourism Year 2011 in Nepal.” 

The festival of "Gai Jatra" is one of the oldest and most unusual of the many festivals celebrated by the Hindus/Buddhists of Kathmandu Valley. Some say the custom goes back more than a millennium, to the time of the Licchavi kings. Falling on the day after Janai Purnima, the full moon day of August, Gai Jatra is a day for remembering those who have died in the past year. In addition to praying for their departed loved ones, family and friends of the deceased commemorate them in great processions, which wind their way through the streets of the ancient Newar towns of Bhaktapur, Patan, Kathmandu, Pokhara, Bharatpur, Bandipur, Gorkha, Dhulikhel, etc.

Despite its associations with the dead, the festival procession is not a dour or solemn event. In fact, there is a great deal of merry-making connected with it. Many of the participants wear outlandish costumes. Traditionally, a good number of the young Newar men in the procession dress in women's clothing. Over the centuries, the Gai Jatra Festival developed a second purpose. In the days when political expression of any kind was outlawed, Gai Jatra was the day when ordinary citizens could vent their frustrations through political and social satire, without fear of reprisal from the rulers.

Given this history, Gai Jatra seemed to be a ready-made occasion for the Blue Diamond Society, the Nepali sexual and gender minority association, to stage Nepal's Pride march.

Pride activities:
Time: 10:30 AM   
Gathering at Kendriya Bus-park, Bharatpur with colourfully decorated caparisoned elephants and floats joined by many local LGBTs representing their districts, bringing their own local traditional costumes and attire. 

Time: 11:00 PM 
Rally starts and proceeds through the Kendriya Bus-park, CDO Office, Chaubis Kothi, Narayangadh Bazaar, and Pokhara Bus-park, back to Narayanghad Bazzar and rally ends.

Time: 13:00 PM
At Narayanghad Bazzar: “WE HAVE A SPECIAL CANDLE LIGHT MEMORIAL IN Narayanghad Bazzar FOR THOSE (all including LGBTIs) WHO DIED, either BECAUSE OF VIOLENCE, or TERRORIST ATTACKs especially in Mumbai and Norway or AIDS, in the LAST 12 Months.”

 We also have Lakhe dance (traditional dance by a man in mask and cross dressing influenced by Tantra-ism) and comedy performances on current political situation in Nepal brought by LGBTI groups from all 5 development regions.

The highlight of the annual festival and this year’s theme is"Bringing friends and families together for solidarity to equality, Protecting wildlife and Promoting tourism year 2011 in Nepal.” A colourful and light-hearted parade, consisting of highly decorated musical band, groups of walking performers plus costumed marchers representing various third genders, lesbians, gays, friends, family and queer-friendly groups with Musical Hangama, colourful carnival, A massive Condom Promotion and distribution. And calling for Solidarity to Equality, Protecting Wildlife and Promoting Nepal’s Tourism Year 2011.  

“WE HAVE A SPECIAL CANDLE LIGHT MEMORIAL IN Narayanghad Bazzar FOR THOSE (all including LGBTIs) WHO DIED, either BECAUSE OF VIOLENCE, or TERRORIST ATTACKs especially in Mumbai and Norway or AIDS, in the LAST 12 Months.”

Please join Blue Diamond Society for this extraordinary extravaganza!!