Bustle in Bhaktapur as Lichchhavi-era Bisket Jatra Preparations Advance
The world-renowned Bisket Jatra in Bhaktapur is set to be celebrated with tantric rituals over nine days and eight nights starting from Chaitra 27. The Guthi Sansthan Bhaktapur has reported rapid progress in the construction of the Bhairav and Bhadrakali chariots. On the final day of the festival, Baisakh 5, the chariot is placed at the five-tiered temple where tantric worship is performed to conclude the festivities. (March 20, Bhaktapur)
Every new year, residents of Bhaktapur observe the traditional tantric Bisket (Biska) Jatra for nine days and eight nights, which this year begins on Friday, Chaitra 27. The festival starts almost four days before the new year with the pulling of Bhairav’s chariot. The main events include erecting an Indradhwaja-adorned linggo (pole) at the end of Chaitra, followed by a full day of the linggo festival at Lyasingkhel on Baisakh 1, which concludes in the evening with the lowering of the linggo.
The Guthi Sansthan Bhaktapur office has announced that the construction of the Bhairav and Bhadrakali chariots, essential for the Jatra, is progressing swiftly. Anand Prasad Karmacharya, head of the Guthi Sansthan Bhaktapur, shared that the three-tiered pagoda-style chariot is being built at the Taumadhi five-tiered temple courtyard. He added that once the Bhairav chariot’s construction is completed, work on the Bhadrakali chariot will immediately commence. So far, the team has been engaged in preparing various wooden components, assembling wheels, repairing damaged materials and poles, replacing ropes, installing new pulleys, performing roof repairs, and continuing intensive construction work on the chariots.
By Chaitra 26, painting and decorative work will be done on the chariots. On Chaitra 27, government ceremonial worship is scheduled for 11 a.m., followed by public worship until 3 p.m., after which the chariot pulling will begin. Karmacharya mentioned, “We have instructed the contractor to provide a very strong, tightly woven rope approximately 90 haathlong for pulling the chariot. A Jatra management committee team will also test the rope. Two linggos have been prepared: one 55 haath long and another as broad as a thong.” He added, “We are preparing to start the festival on Chaitra 27 by pulling Bhairav’s chariot at 3 p.m.”