Bisket Jatra: Nepal’s Most Thrilling New Year Festival

Throughout history, many cultures have called Nepal home, complimenting the diversity and large number of festivals held annually throughout the country. Festivals are held throughout Nepal at various times throughout the year. One of the biggest festivals in Nepal is called 'Bisket Jatra’. This is the yearly new year celebration of Bhaktapur, based on the Bikram Sambat calendar.

While most festivals involve some type of small ceremony (i.e., temple visits) and are often very quiet. Bisket Jatra is a large, public celebration that features the large procession of people pulling large, ceremonial wheels/chariots through the streets of Bhaktapur. People also compete amongst each other to see who can pull with the strongest team by participating in a tug of war and by constructing the tallest ceremonial pole.

Because Bisket Jatra has maintained so much of its original character for nearly 2000 years, it serves as an example of the rich culture of the Kathmandu Valley. People from Bhaktapur, as well as from surrounding communities, take pride in Bisket Jatra as an expression of their pride, happiness, and renewal as a community. For anyone visiting, Bisket Jatra is an opportunity to experience an authentic and energetic example of Nepalese culture.

The History of Bisket Jatra

The Bisket (Bisket Jatra today) festival was started in the Kathmandu Valley centuries ago. It is one of the oldest festivals in the valley which was part of the Malla Dynasty and has continued to this day. While the Mallas ruled the valley there was much development of the arts, culture, and architecture. Part of the Malla rulers’ objectives was to encourage festivals so people could celebrate their community and honour Gods who have protected their city. Therefore, Bisket Jatra is one of the most significant annual events that occur in Bhaktapur.

Even with the changing times, urbanisation and political change, the traditional festival has remained to this day. People who lived in the valley centuries ago celebrated the Bisket Jatra festival, the same as people currently celebrate the Bisket Jatra festival. Bisket is derived from the Newari word "bisyaku jatra" meaning, "Festival of the Snake's Death." This is a reference to the legend of the origins of this festival.

The pronunciation of Bisket Jatra has transitioned through time to that which it is known today. This holiday is named after the mythology associated with its observance and signifies triumph over evil as well as rejuvenation through birth or the start of a new year.

A Folk Tale About Two Serpents

Bisket Jatra is celebrated for vanquishing two very dangerous snakes who caused havoc in Bhaktapur. A saga tells of a princess whose husbands mysteriously died upon consummation of their union. Many princely lovers tried to win her love but each one died before they were married. One astute prince decided that he would find out what was killing all the former suitors; on the evening of his marriage he pretended to sleep/wait for the midnight hour as the other husbands had done before.

Just before midnight struck, two venomous snakes came sliding out of her nostrils. It was these snakes that had killed all her former husbands. The prince killed both snakes with his sword.

The citizens of Bhaktapur rejoiced at the prince’s bravery and henceforth have celebrated their victory over evil by observing the Bisket Jatra Festival each year. To commemorate this courageous triumph over wickedness, various representations of the two snakes can still be found during the festival’s rituals today.

The Chariot Procession of Bhairab and Bhadrakali

The height of the Bisket Jatra festival is at the chariot race which takes place when two very large wooden carts (traditional handicrafts created by hand, employing no mechanical devices) depicting both gods, Bhairab and Bhadrakali, are pulled throughout the narrow alleys of the city.

After being built, Bhairab's cart will be heavier than Bhadrakali's cart and will require considerable strength to pull it. During this forceful competition of efforts to pull both carts towards either side of the street will turn into an incredible show of strength and determination among the different teams of competitors from different parts of Bhaktapur.

The spirit of the competition represents a strong sense of cultural importance and pride for the people that live in Bhaktapur, and represents their shared heritage and culture and the bond that connects each of them as a result.

The Raising of the Yosin Pole

An important feature of the Bisket Jatra festival is the ceremonial pole erection, which occurs with many people participating in its construction and raising. The Yosin Thanegu pole is the tallest of all poles raised during the festival, located at Taumadhi Square, a significant place of historical importance in Bhaktapur. There are long, hanging fabric banners that are attached to either side of the Yosin Thanegu pole, signifying the two mythological serpents in the festival's legend. People within the community to raise the Yosin Thanegu to an upright position using ropes and traditional methods. When the Yosin Thanegu pole reaches its upright position, it is considered a very auspicious occasion for all members of society and indicates the beginning of the new year in Nepal. The Yosin Thanegu pole is then aggressively pulled down at the end to signify that the festival has finished and that the community has commenced with a new cycle of events.

Community Participation & Cultural Unity

What is most interesting about during Bisket Jatra Festival is that the community comes together to participate in the celebration as a collective. The residents of Bhaktapur participate in every aspect of the festival, including the actual building of the chariots, the organisation of the rituals, and managing the crowds that come to witness the event. The festival fosters community involvement and unity.

The celebrations are also representative of their traditions – that of the Newar community, an ethnic group renowned for preserving out of all the valley ethnic groups, some of the Valley’s oldest cultural practices.

For the Newar community, festivals are not just celebrations, they are also ways of expressing their identity as a group, their spiritual beliefs, and their social connectivity with one another.

The Atmosphere During The Bisket Jatra

The Bisket Jatra turns Bhaktapur into an exciting festival site, with the streets full of music, musical instruments, bright decorations, and large numbers of people excited to celebrate. Locally owned shops are filled with traditional foods, beverages, and snacks. Families gather to watch the chariot procession, while young people are filled with enthusiasm for the New Year.

Throughout the festival, traditional foods such as Samay Baji and Yomari are typically consumed, as well as many other traditional Newari dishes.

Throughout the entire city, the people and actions of the Jatra transform the city into a living cultural entity, with modern forms of celebration blending beautifully together with age-old traditions.

Why Bisket Jatra is Unique

The Bisket Jatra festival offers visitors to Bhaktapur, Nepal, the chance to experience a local community celebration with historical significance amidst the beauty of its temples, traditional buildings, and ancient squares. This exceptional festival occurs in April and coincides with the Nepali New Year's Eve, so tourists will have a wonderful chance to begin the year by experiencing culture and community through the activities of the day - including lively ceremonial processions; beautiful traditional ritual objects such as sufar (usually a ceremonial banner) and bahl (usually a ceremonial flag). Visiting ancient temples and palaces; and participating in local customs and rituals. This is a very unique opportunity for travelers to experience Bisket Jatra as part of an overall immersive cultural experience.

Travel Tips for Visiting Bisket Jatra

If you plan to attend Bisket Jatra in Bhaktapur, a few practical tips can help you enjoy the experience safely and comfortably. If you're going to be attending this festival and want a good view, you might want to consider arriving at your destination early, especially the main squares because they will likely be extremely busy later. Since there will likely be so many attendees and the streets that you may need to travel within will probably be rather narrow, you should wear a dress and shoes that are good for walking.

It is also important to show respect to the local residents and their culture as well as follow the rules that the festival organizers and local residents establish before attending and participating in this festival. When observing the chariot pull portion of this festival keep in mind that the chariots are extremely large and powerful as they are made of very heavy materials, and will likely have great force; therefore, make sure that you stand far enough away from their travel path to avoid being hit.

You might also want to carry some water, as well as sunscreen, and a camera to take some spectacular photos of this festival.

Cultural Heritage Preservation

In addition to being an amazing festival, Bisket Jatra is also a fundamental part of the cultural heritage of Nepal. Celebrations like these help to maintain and preserve traditional crafts, religions and community values, which would otherwise be lost as the world changes rapidly and becomes increasingly modernized.

The Bisket Jatra Festival, a celebration that has been carried out by the residents of Bhaktapur for many generations, is a source of pride to the people of Bhaktapur and has shown that they have retained their cultural identity and are united as a community.

In addition to being an extraordinary celebration that has been observed for more than 100 years, the Bisket Jatra Festival consists of a variety of events such as traditional rituals, large chariot parades, and more, making it one of the most spectacular cultural events in Nepal.

The Bisket Jatra Festival represents not only the beginning of the New Year according to the Bikram Samvat calendar, but also represents both the mythical and cultural significance of the community of Bhaktapur as well as the value and importance of the festival as a celebration of the community.

The Bisket Jatra Festival serves to create pride, unification, and spiritual renewal in all the residents of Bhaktapur. Visitors who attend will also have the opportunity to witness and experience the cultural richness of Nepal. Attendees of the Bisket Jatra Festival can participate in the festival and will also have the opportunity to reconnect to their ancestral roots in Bhaktapur through the history of the town.

Conclusion

Bisket Jatra represents the richness of Bhaktapur's culture and traditions. The festival has roots in ancient stories and legends, along with exciting chariot parades, community involvement, and many culturally significant activities that showcase Nepal's culture and bring in a new year with enthusiasm and pride. All those fortunate to experience the festival as either residents or visitors. You will see memories being created through the living history of Bhaktapur; understand the essence of Newari culture, and feel what it means to be part of Nepal's vibrant festivals.