KATHMANDU, April 15: On the occasion of Bisket Jatra, local residents of Madhyapur Thimi have celebrated Sutha Siya Jatra by playing with sindoor (traditional orange-red coloured vermilion) with joy. This festival is celebrated by carrying idols of various deities from villages of Madhyapur Thimi and playing vermilion. This Jatra, which was traditionally celebrated in Thimi with 32 khat participating chariots, is now celebrated with 23 khat jatras in Thimi area, one in Nagadesh, seven in Bode and one in Tigani. There is a tradition of scattering vermilion from windows, and roofs of houses and showering flowers on arrival of chariots at Chowks and four way intersections.

This Jatra is celebrated only in Thimi. During the Jatra, vermilion powder is smeared on each other's face,  with the permission of the Naike Pradhan (chief or leader), the procession begins from Balkumati to Digutole.

Here are some pictures of the Jatra taken by Republica’s photojournalist Prasan Gurung.        

 
• Bisket_Jatra
 
• Sindoor_Jatra
 
• Madhyapur_Thimi