Bisket Jatra: Bhaktapur's New Year Festival with a Giant Chariot

Overview

Bisket Jatra is Bhaktapur's most dramatic annual festival, held each April to mark the Nepali New Year in the month of Baisakh. A towering chariot carrying the deity Bhairav is hauled through the narrow streets by teams of men from different neighborhoods, who pull against each other in a symbolic tug-of-war. The direction the chariot moves determines which half of the city will have good fortune in the coming year. On the evening before New Year's Day, a massive wooden pole called a lingo is raised in the Khalna Tole neighborhood. The pole, decorated with two serpent effigies, is held vertical by ropes pulled by hundreds of participants. When it falls on New Year's Day, the festival is declared over and the new year truly begun. The spectacle draws visitors from across Nepal and abroad, and the narrow lanes of Bhaktapur's medieval center vibrate with drumming, crowds, and ancient energy.

FAQ

Q: How is Bisket Jatra different from Indra Jatra?

Both are Newari chariot festivals in the Kathmandu Valley, but Bisket Jatra is specific to Bhaktapur and marks the Nepali New Year. Indra Jatra is celebrated in Kathmandu city and has different deities, rituals, and mythological origins.

Q: Is Bhaktapur easy to reach for Bisket Jatra?

Bhaktapur is 13 km east of Kathmandu and accessible by microbus or taxi in about 30 to 45 minutes. During the festival period, extra vehicles run from Kathmandu's Ratna Park bus station. Arriving on foot through the old city gates adds to the atmosphere.