IN PICS: Biska Jatra kicks off in Bhaktapur

Published On: April 10, 2021 07:35 PM NPT By: Monika Malla

BHAKTAPUR, April 10: The celebration of Bisket (Biska) jatra-- one of the popular religious festivals celebrated in the Kathmandu Valley-- began in Bhaktapur from Saturday.

This festival of cultural and historical importance is celebrated for nine days and eight nights.

The festival began with the pulling of the chariot of Bhaila Kha: (Bhairabnath) from the Nyatapola (five-storey) temple in Taumadhi earlier today.

The three-storey chariot made of wood in the pagoda style is pushed and pulled around the settlements with the statues of Bhairavnath and Betal as a part of this festival.

Bhaktapur municipality had earlier held discussions with stakeholders to make a routine to observe the festival in an organized manner in view of the risk of coronavirus infection.

Amid rising number of COVID-19 cases, the District Administration Office, Bhaktapur, had initially decided not to allow celebrating the festival in public places. However, the celebration was allowed after the Supreme Court issued an interim order not to halt the Jatra.

Here are some photos taken by a Republica photojournalist Monika Malla earlier today.