No VVIPs invited for the annual event

KATHMANDU, March 19: At a time when the government has urged the general public not to organize public functions and mass gatherings as a precaution against COVID-19, the Nepal Army has said that it is gearing up to celebrate the annual Ghodejatra festival with limited number of guests at the Army Pavilion in Tundikhel.

Amid the fear of a possible COVID-19 outbreak, the Nepal Army (NA) has said that the event is being organized just for the ‘sake of tradition’ on March 23 and will be attended by a limited number of army officials.

Issuing a press statement Monday, the army confirmed that VVIP guests will not be invited to the annual event at Tundikhel. 

“The government has urged not to organize big functions to prevent a possible spread of the COVID-19. Keeping in view the request of the government, VVIP guests have not been invited to the event,” reads the statement.

Every year, various teams of the Nepal Army display equestrian skills during the event. It is believed that the event is celebrated every year after the death of a demon named ‘Tundi’. Legend has it that the tapping of hooves of horses would ward off the spirit of the demon. 

In the previous years, the army would showcase 26 performances during the event. “As we [Nepal Army] have decided to celebrate the annual event only for the “sake of tradition”, the number of performances has also been reduced,” Brigadier General Bigyan Dev Pandey, spokesperson of the army, told Republica, adding that the Chief of Army Staff General Purna Chandra Thapa will be the chief guest of the event.

In the previous years, the army used to invite the head of state as the chief guest to witness the event.

In the meantime, the army said that the annual event will be broadcast live on the national television for the general public.

 
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