Wooden pole erected as part of Biska Jatra

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Mar. 14: On the occasion of the ongoing Biska Jatra in Bhaktapur, a handless lingo (wooden pole) was raised at Kumale Tole in Pottery Square, Bhaktapur, around 10:00 am on the last day of Chaitra, on Sunday. 

The erection of the lingo is one of the main highlights of the festival, carried out with great excitement and enthusiastic community participation.

The eight-night, nine-day Biska Jatra is one of the most vibrant and culturally significant festivals celebrated in Bhaktapur, marking the Nepali New Year, which began on April 10.

As part of the festival, the handless lingo—traditionally raised on the final day of Chaitra will be pulled down on the morning of Baisakh 5, marking the conclusion of the celebration.

After the lingo is raised in the morning at Kumale Tole, Bhairav and Bhadrakali are worshipped in the afternoon, and a chariot procession begins in the evening, heading toward Bhelukhel.

A second lingo, that symbolises serpents, is also raised using tantric rituals at Bhelukhel later in the evening. Unlike the first, this lingo includes a head, hands, and nose, resembling a deity-like figure, and is wrapped in a 40-metre-long blue cloth.

The lingo Jatra is observed on the first day of Baisakh and is ceremonially pulled down in the evening.

The lingo raised in Bhelukhel is brought from the Chitapol Nala forest in Suryabinayak. Prior to its erection, a chariot procession travels from Gaahiti to Bhelukhel. The lingo is only raised once the chariot reaches its destination.

According to tradition, various traditional musical instruments are played during both the raising and the pulling down of the lingos, accompanied even by a police band.

The two lingos erected at different locations differ in both structure and symbolism. The 40-foot handless lingo is raised at Kumale Tole, while the one at Bhelukhel, representing a deity, features a head, hands, and nose.

On the first day of Baisakh, the Guthi Sansthan of Bhaktapur, with the support of the Kanphata Yogi of Gorakhnath, conducts ritual animal sacrifices—buffaloes, goats, and chickens—and performs worship of the Jogi Chakra.

Similarly, a lingo was also raised this morning in front of the Mahalaxmi Temple in Bode, Madhyapur Thimi-8.