Preparations for Biska: Jatra underway in Bhaktapur

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Apr. 9: The festive spirit of the famous Biska: Jatra has gripped the Newar settlement in Bhaktapur as the nine-day festival approaches.

The eight-night and nine-day festival will kick off on April 10 with the pulling of the chariots of two deities—Bhairavnath and Bhadrakali.

From the last week of the Nepali month of Chaitra to the first week of Baisakh, Bhaktapur city is filled with the festive fanfare of Biska: Jatra.

According to Guthi Santhan of Bhaktapur, work to prepare the wooden chariots of Bhairavnath and Bhadrakali is progressing at full speed.

The construction of the chariots of Bhairavnath and Bhadrakali, which are essential for the Jatra, has been completed. This work began on the premises of the five-storey temple of Taumadi.

Khima Oli, head of the Guthi Sansthan, Bhaktapur, informed that the work of painting the chariot wheels and other minor tasks is ongoing.

A new wheel has been prepared by purchasing new timber, and other wheels have been repaired. 

The painting of the both chariots wheels will be completed by April 9, she said. The Bhairavnath chariot will be taller than the Bhadrakali chariot.

The roof of the three-story chariot of Bhairavnath is made of brass plates. The windows and doors of the chariot are engraved with mythological art. 

The craftsmen play an important role to build of the chariots. The Shilpkar, Nakrami, Manandhar and Chirakar communities have been playing a vital role in building the chariots. For the past few years, the craftsman Prem Lal Shilpkar has been responsible for making the chariot. The painting and decoration of the chariot are done by the Chitrakar community, woodwork by the Shilpkar community, and ironwork by the Nakarmi community. 

As thousands of devotees and tourists participate in this festival, its originality and religious and cultural significance become evident.

Oli, head of the Guthi Sansthan, shared that the book titled ‘Some Festivals of the Nepal Valley,’ published by Nepal Academy, defines the Biska: Jatra from many angles.

Earlier, only the chariot procession of Bhadrakali was held. After some time, the procession of the Bhairavnath chariot began. 

For nine days, the festive vibes of the festival can be seen throughout Bhaktapur.  Every tole’s locals will be seen busy and excited to play traditional music and perform ritual worship. The main attractions of the Jatra are considered to be the Rath Yatra and the wooden pole raising and pulling down ceremonies.

A wooden pole brought from Sallaghari in Suryavinayak Municipality-10 Chittapol of Bhaktapur will be raised on April 13 and pulled down on Baisakh 1 (April 14).

As per some historians, the Biska Jatra has been celebrated since the beginning of the Bikram Sambat era, while others speculate that it was started by Shivadev II.