Biska: Jatra begins in Bhaktapur

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Mar. 11: The famous Biska: Jatra, which carries cultural and historical significance in Bhaktapur, began on Thursday with the pulling of the chariots of Lord Bhairavnath and Goddess Bhadrakali.

The main attraction of the eight-night and nine-day-long festival is the chariot pulling. A three-storied, 35-feet-high wooden chariot of Bhairavnath, built in the pagoda style, and the chariot of Bhadrakali are traditionally pulled from the five-storied temple courtyard to the upper and lower toles of the city.

Biska: Jatra traditionally begins four days before Baishak 1 with the chariot procession of Bhairavnath and Bhadrakali.

Khima Oli, Chief of Guthi Sansthan Bhaktapur, said that the chariot pulling of Bhairavnath and Bhadrakali began at 4:30 p.m.

The chariot procession started after the installation of the deities Bhairavnath and Betal, following both the official and public puja ceremonies.

The Khadga (sword), a symbol of the king, was brought from Hanumandhoka to Bhaktapur and handed over to the priest of Taleju before the chariot pulling began, she added.

According to Oli, the Khadga was brought a few days ago by an employee of Guthi Sansthan from Hanumandhoka. 

On the first day of the festival, the chariots were pulled from Taumadhi to Gahiti.

Guthi Sansthan Bhaktapur has managed all the expenses of the festival, she said. She informed that a budget of Rs. 4 million has been allocated for this year’s Biska: Jatra, which covers all expenses including puja ceremonies, construction of chariots and purchase of ropes.

Arrangements have also been made to manage electric cables, wires, and fiber net cables along the Jatra route. Ambulances, fire engines, and disaster preparedness equipment have been kept on standby in all hospitals in the city under the aegis of the Nepal Red Cross Society, Bhaktapur.

On the first, fourth, fifth, and ninth days of Biska: Jatra, the deities Bhairavnath and Bhadrakali are placed in chariots, pulled with ropes, and circumambulated through different localities of the city.