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- Preparations for the historic Bisket Jatra festival, lasting nine days and eight nights, are rapidly progressing in Bhaktapur.
- The construction of Bhairav and Bhadrakali chariots for the festival, starting from Chaitra 27, is expected to be completed by Chaitra 26, according to craftsman Prem Silpakar.
- On the festival’s final day, Baisakh 5, the Bhairav chariot is traditionally pulled from both sides by residents of different neighborhoods using four ropes, each 200 feet long, as part of the celebrations.
March 20, Kathmandu – Preparations are rapidly advancing for the historic Bisket Jatra, which is celebrated over nine days and eight nights in Bhaktapur.
At the five-storied temple courtyard in Taumadhi, Bhaktapur, intensive work is underway on the construction of the Bhairav and Bhadrakali chariots for the festival.
Every new year, Bhaktapur residents observe the traditional nine-day, eight-night festival following tantric rituals, with this year’s festivities commencing on Chaitra 27.
The festival begins four days before the New Year with the pulling of Bhairav’s chariot, followed by the erection of the Indradhwaj flag-bearing lingo (pole) toward the end of Chaitra. On Baisakh 1, the lingo festival is celebrated at Lasingkhel, concluding at sunset with the ceremonial breaking of the lingo pole.
Prem Silpakar, the chariot builder, stated that the construction of Bhairav and Bhadrakali chariots is scheduled to be completed by Chaitra 26.
According to tantric tradition, the Bhairavnath chariot will be adorned with a khadga (sword), tarwar (blade), and insignia on the afternoon of Chaitra 27, when the chariot pulling ceremony is also initiated.
On the final day of the festival, Baisakh 5, the Bhairav chariot is tied with four ropes, each 200 feet in length, and residents of the upper and lower neighborhoods of Taumadhi area pull the chariot from opposite sides as part of a traditional celebration, just as on the opening day.
