With the pulling of Bhairabnath Chariot placed in front of the Paanch Talley Mandir (Nyatapol Temple), Bhaktapur, the famous Biskaa Jatra started from today. This jatra is celebrated for eight nights and nine days respectively. Four days prior to the beginning of Nepali New year, the jatra begins with pulling of the chariot. Ropes attached to both sides of the chariot are pulled. Six and four ropes are strongly tied to both the ends of the chariot.
The first day is called ‘Kwaha Bijyaaijyu’ which means ‘the God travelling on a chariot’. The chariot is taken to the lower side of the city.
Glimpses of Biskaa Jatra
Hari Prasad Subedi, head of the Guthi Sansthaan Office in Suryabinayak, Bhaktapur stated that all the preparations for this year’s fest are completed. “The festival commenced from mid-day with pulling the chariot on Tuesday. The jatra will last till the evening, after the chariot stops for the day,” he said.
Historian and Culture Expert Dr Purushottam Lochan Shrestha says that Biskaa Jatra originally has been celebrated for over three hundred years. Bhaktapur, back then, was the capital of Nepal. However, during 1826 BS, after the conversion of Kathmandu valley as capital, the celebration of the jatra was only limited to Bhaktapur city. Today, people from different districts like Lalitpur, Kathmandu, and Kavrepalanchowk visit Bhaktapur to experience this eight-day long fest.
The major attractions of Biskaa jatra are the erection of the 55-hand long pillar and the chariot pulling of Lord Bhairavnath. Likewise, the tongue-piercing ceremony celebrated in Madhyapur Thimi is eqally famous during Biskaa jatra
