Find out how to celebrate Nepali New Year in Bhaktapur. With Chariots and tug-of-war, you wont want to miss this festival!
Photo © iStock/sihasakprachum
- Location
- Dates
- Description
- Level of Participation
- Essentials
- Travel Safety Tips
- Other Local Attractions
Location
Khalna Tole, Bhaktapur, Nepal
Dates
Mid-April (the beginning of the Nepali month of Baisakh)
Description
Bisket Jatra heralds the start of the Nepali New Year and is celebrated with the most aplomb in Bhaktapur. In one of the most exciting annual events in the Kathmandu valley, a huge and ponderous chariot carrying images of the god Bhairab is hauled by dozens of villagers to Khalna Tole. The creaking and swaying chariot lumbers around town, pausing for a huge tug of war between the eastern and western sides of town. After the battle the chariots head to Khalna Tole, where a huge 25m-high lingam (phallic symbol) is erected in the stone yoni (female genital symbol) base.
In the evening of the following day (New Year’s Day), the pole is pulled down, again in an often-violent tug of war. As the pole crashes to the ground, the New Year officially commences.
Variations on the Bisket Jatra theme can also be seen in the villages of Timi and Bode. In the former there’s a parade of images of the gods, with villagers throwing red powder over them. In the latter, there’s a tongue-piercing ceremony, with one villager spending the day with an iron spike piercing his tongue.
Level of Participation
1 – watch the chariot rumble by.
Essentials
Bhaktapur is just 14km from Kathmandu, and accommodation options are limited, so you might prefer to stay in the capital.
Travel Safety Tips
Bisket Jatra is a pretty safe festival to go to - just make sure you stay well away from the chariot! It could fall on you!
Other Local Attractions
Bhaktapur’s five-storey, 30m-high Nyatapola Temple is the highest temple in the Kathmandu valley.
More Info: Nepal Tourism Board
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