Festival Tourism in Nepal: A Study of White Horse Jatra of Bhaktapur

Abstract

This paper analyzes and highlights the festival tourism in Nepal with the special reference to white horse jatra of Bhaktapur. Bhaktapur is world renowned cultural tourism destinations of Nepal where one can observe, have a wonderful experience and encounter with tangible and intangible cultural tourism products. Historical, archeological, religious and secular monuments, treasures of arts and crafts and varied indigenous cultural activities as known as the mirrors of Bhaktapur that reflect overall folk life and culture. Due to these wonderful and heart breathing heritage every year plenty of tourists have been inspiring to pay their visit. Therefore, all these indigenous tangible and intangible cultural heritage such as historical, archeological, religious and secular monuments, traditional tools, utensils, technology and craftsmanship, folktales, music and dance, way of life, religious beliefs, costumes and customary laws, festivals and jatras, dress/ornaments, food and drink, dreams, pleasure and sorrows are known as the significance tourism products. Through the festival tourism perspective colourful festivals and jatras are also recognized as the renowned sources for attraction. Bhaktapur is already established its fame as a destination of cultural capital where annually celebrate different colourful festivals and Jatras on the special auspicious occasion. Among them, white horse Jatra is a renowned and an important one. White horse is a holy mount of goddess Taleju, which must be white in colour and should be pure too. It must not have been ridden and must not lose any part of the body. This is taken out in the street during the tenth day i.e. in Asmin shukla Dasami for the procession. It is an indigenous cultural identity and practice as a popular cultural tourism product of Bhaktapur. But, this Jatra is still unexposed; hence it is a hidden or veiled festival. It is necessary recognizing the prominence of this jatra as a prominent tourism product. There is lack of proper studies regarding these issues that is identified as its research gaps. Thus, to address the research problems and gaps this paper has been prepared. It is based on qualitative approach, descriptive, analytical and exploratory research designs and primary and secondary data as well.