Biska Jatra begins in Bhaktapur [In Pictures]

KATHMANDU: The Biska festival began in Bhaktapur on Monday. The festival, which runs for eight nights and nine days, is regarded as one of the most important cultural activities in Bhaktapur.

During the festival, two chariots carrying the idols of the deities Bhairab and Bhadrakali are pulled through the streets of Bhaktapur by enthusiastic crowds of devotees. The chariots stop at various points, and people offer prayers and perform rituals. There are also several other cultural and religious events held during the festival, including music, dance, and street performances.

On the first day, people pull the chariot in the evening after worshiping the main deity of Bhairavnath and the Betal deity seated on the three-storied pagoda-style chariot of Bhairav. The chariot is pulled from Taumadhi, the large square in front of the popular Nyatapola temple, to Gahiti through Sukuldhoka, Golmadhi, Nasmana, and Gahiti. Six strong ropes are tied to the front of the chariot, while four ropes are tied at the back. People pull these ropes like a tug of war and try to take the chariot to their localities. This tug-of-war is one of the main attractions of the festival.

On the fourth day of the festival, which is the last day of the year according to the Bikram Sambat calendar, a 55-foot pole is erected at Lyosingkhel. Two strands of clothes are hung on the pillar, which is believed to represent two serpents. The pillar is erected with the support of eight ropes, which signify the Asta Matrika (eight Matrika gods). After the pillar is erected, special worship is performed at the temple of Goddess Taleju.

On the fifth day of the festival, which is New Year’s Day, the pillar is dismantled. After that, the chariots of Bhairav and Bhadrakali are arranged in Gahiti Square, with the Bhairava chariot facing north and the Bhadrakali chariot facing south. The two chariots are then pushed toward each other. The banging of the two chariots is considered divine mating.

While the sixth day is dedicated to the Mahalaxmi Jatra, the Brahmayani Jatra marks the seventh day. Likewise, the eighth day is dedicated to the worship of God Ganesh.