Bisket Jatra Commences in Bhaktapur with Traditional Lingo Erection

Bhaktapur. On the occasion of the eight-night, nine-day Bisket Jatra in Bhaktapur, a handless lingo (pole) was erected this morning at Kumale Tole in Pottery Square, Bhaktapur. The handless lingo, which is raised every year on the last day of Chaitra, was erected today after performing traditional rituals.

The handless lingo raised on the last day of Chaitra for the Bisket Jatra is lowered on the morning of Baisakh 5, the final day of the festival. After raising the lingo in Kumale Tole in the morning, the chariots of Bhairav and Bhadrakali are worshipped in the afternoon and taken to Bhelukhel. In the evening, a 55-hand long lingo, representing the Naga-Nagini and featuring the Indradhwaja prepared through tantric rituals, is erected at Bhelukhel.

This is known as the world-famous Lingo Jatra. This lingo is lowered on the evening of Baisakh 1 after day-long festivities. A lingo was also erected this morning in front of the Mahalakshmi Temple in Bode, Madhyapur Thimi-8.

In the presence of Madhyapur Thimi Municipality Mayor Surendra Shrestha and other local representatives, the locals erected the lingo in front of the Mahalakshmi Temple. Local resident Dilkrishna Prajapati stated that once the lingo is raised following tantric rituals, the tradition of festivals and fairs in the Thimi region begins, with temples hosting gatherings and feasts commencing.

“By raising the lingo in front of the Mahalakshmi Temple, the auspicious time for the Tongue Piercing Jatra has been set. It is believed that the Tongue Piercing Jatra begins once the lingo is raised in front of this temple,” he said. Today, the chariot of Kumari is taken to Lahi Tole, and at approximately 9:00 PM, after performing rituals with firewood brought from the Nilbarahi forest, 28-year-old Sujan Wang Shrestha will begin his fast, leading to the tongue-piercing tradition on Baisakh 2.

Once the fast begins today, Shrestha must follow traditions including abstaining from food, not speaking to or touching women, and avoiding contact with animals such as dogs, chickens, and cats. In Madhyapur Thimi, locals celebrate various festivals during Bisket Jatra, including the Sindoor Jatra, Bishnu Bir Jatra, the nocturnal Chanhesiya Jatra, and the Siddhikali Jatra with great grandeur.