Shaileshwari Temple, Doti The former Doti Kingdom included not only Doti district; it was expanded up to Achham, Bajhang, Bajura, Baitadi, Dadeldhura, Kailali, Kanchanpur, Darchula, extending as far as Dehradun and Kumaun Garwal (These days Kumaun Garwal is part of India). History of Doti kingdom is little known. Doti was the capital of that kingdom. Deuki tradition, basically, is practiced not in proper Doti but nearby districts including Dadeldhura, Baitadi and Darchula. During the reign of King Nagi Malla in the 17th century, far western Nepal was in ruin. Natural calamities, drought and cholera consumed his Kingdom. The priests predicted that relief would come if the king offered his daughter to the temple of Bhageshwor Mahadev. Housing facilities were immediately prepared, and the princess began her life with the Gods. When the difficulties in the kingdom were eased, a new tradition was born, that has grossly degenerated and developed in new era and that all credit went to K
Gai Jatra, very much like a carnival, begins on the day after full moon day of August September. Pratap Malla, a king of Malla dynasty, is said to have started the conversion of celebrating the festival in the eighteen century to console his bereaved queen by showing her that every householder is compelled to depart with his/ her kinsfolk. Then eight-day festival begins when the householders whose family members have died within the year send a small procession consisting of people impersonating cows, a priest and a band of traditional musicians. Along the traditionally prescribed path march gorgeously costumed boys representing cows closely followed by the family priest and a band of musicians. The cow procession is sent thus to arrest the departed soul to get to the heavenly abode as it is believed that it has to cross a river called Vaitarani, the river of fire, blood and pun. One should, it is believed, cross the river with the help of cows. Almost all the householders on the way offer home-brewed beer, breads and coins to the participants of the processions when it passes by presenting pantomimes of various activities like planting rice, sowing seeds, tilling land, etc. amidst the defining choir of traditional musical instruments. The frantic music slows down as they start feasting in the houses of the bereaved.
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