President of Nepal, Ramchandra Paudel, attended a special Ghode Jatra ceremony organized by the Nepal Army at Sainik Manch in Tundikhel ground today. On this occasion, a contingent of the Nepal Army presented a salute in his honor. The ceremony is held annually on the new moon day of the Chaitra month of the Nepali calendar. The ceremony was attended by Vice President Ram Sahay Prasad Yadav, Prime Minister Sushila Karki, National Assembly Chairperson Narayan Prasad Dahal, ministers, heads and representatives of diplomatic missions, and other high-ranking officials.
In Kathmandu, Ghode Jatra is a public holiday, and people gather around Tundikhel to watch the event. Following tradition, Nepal Army soldiers race horses in Tundikhel ground to ward off evil spirits, according to folklore. On this occasion, Nepal Army teams demonstrated equestrian skills, including horse racing, horse jumping, chariot horse racing, historical use of horses, and fire jumping.