- Gyaki Regmi
“Biska Jatra” is one of the top famous festival of Bhaktapur Nepal. it begins five days before the nepali new year and ends onf the 4th. of Baisakh which around april 17. “Biskajatra” also known as “Bisket Jatra”.
The festival is belived to have originated in the 17th century during the reign of baktapur king Jagajoti Malla, who was fascinated with folklore. Bisket festivities commemorate one such story of princess who remained widow because the husband would die the very night of her wedding. “Bisket jatra” is one of the nepal”s most vibrant and ancient festivals, primarily celebrated in the histroic city of Bhaktapur, surrounding areas like Thimi, Bode and even Nuwakot district too. The frist day of “Bisket jtra” , the Rath (Chariot) yatra is no april 10, 2026, when the deities Bhairavnath and Bhadrakali”s Raths (Chariot) are pilled.
This festival lasts foe 8 nights and 9 days, and this year “Bisket jatra” started on april 10. The Rath pulling event takes places at Taumadhi Squaire (in front of Nayatapola temple) where thousands of people participate. In the frist day (april 10) of Bisket jatra people gathers around 4\5 pm and pulls chariot towards their localities and the chariot is pulled from both the sides and whoever is sucessful in pulling the chariot will be driven to their localities. Around this festival time on Baisakh 1st. which is the nepali new year.
A lingo (a tall wooden pole) is crected, at the top of the pole Naag Dev (Snake God) are placed and worship is performed after raising it and second day of Baisakh 2 (Nepal”s new year second day) the Lingo ( a tall tree wooden pole with Snake God) is pulled by bunch of people and rest on ground.
This tradition is not only done in Bhaktapur but it is also practiced in some districts of Nepal where newari people stay such as Nuwakot district and others.
