Kathmandu: The historically renowned and significant Biska Jatra (Bisket Jatra) of Bhaktapur began on Sunday. The Biska Jatra, which begins with the arrival of the New Year, began in the evening by pulling the chariot of Nakinju Azima to Ghatkha from the front of the Panchatle Temple in Tamari and pulling the chariot of Bhairavnath.
The jatra is observed with much fanfare for eight nights and nine days.
Before pulling the chariot, Bhairavnath was worshiped and the pilgrims pull the chariot with the help of ropes attached to the front and take it to their respective tole. The main attraction of the procession is pulling the chariot, which is also done in a competitive manner among the toles or settlement blocks.
There is a religious belief that watching the Biska Jatra destroys the enemy, so this Jatra is also called Shatruhanta Jatra.
On the last day of the procession, Bhairavnath’s chariot is pulled from Gahiti as it was on the first day by the residents of Thane and Kwane Tole.
Photos: RSS
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