Thousands Gather in Bhaktapur to Celebrate Traditional Bisket Jatra

Bhaktapur: Thousands of people from various districts have gathered in Bhaktapur to witness the famous Bisket Jatra.

The Bisket Jatra, traditionally celebrated on the first day of the New Year according to Tantric rituals, began early this morning. Thousands from Bhaktapur, Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Kavre, and other districts have flocked to Lasingkhel in Bhailukhel to see the ceremonial pole (lingo) that was erected yesterday evening on the last day of the year.

It is believed that witnessing the 55-hand-long pole, which features a base the size of a winnowing tray and is topped with the Indradhwaja, destroys enemies and brings prosperity. The pole is erected on the last day of Chaitra and is brought down the following evening after a grand festival. There is a popular belief that observing this festival fulfills wishes and eliminates enemies.

Meanwhile, devotees have been gathering since early morning at the famous Charkhandi Temple located at the confluence of Dadhikot and Sirutar in Bhaktapur. Local resident and cultural researcher Ratna Sayami stated that it is believed that bathing in the pond of the Charkhandi Mahadev Temple and worshipping the deity cures all bodily ailments and ensures success in one's endeavors.

According to legend, a sparrow killed by a hunter was brought back to life after falling into the Charkhandi pond due to divine power. It is believed that bathing in this pond provides relief from skin diseases such as boils and rashes. Due to this belief, crowds began gathering at the pond as early as 4:00 AM today.

During the Charkhandi Mela, celebrated annually on Baisakh 1, youths are seen sitting in the temple premises with lamps lit on their bodies, a practice believed to destroy sins and earn merit. A chariot procession involving three chariots has also been conducted at the temple since 5:00 AM. The chariots, which were brought out early in the morning after circumambulating various areas of Dadhikot, are placed back in the temple premises for worship.

Residents of Sirutar and Balkot celebrated the Bisket Jatra with a chariot procession at the Gupteshwor Mahadev Temple. Local resident Bhaikrishna Shrestha reported that the procession began after formal worship accompanied by Dhime music, with the chariot being taken through various neighborhoods from Sirutar to Balkot.

Similarly, a fair has been held since early morning at the Chhuma Ganesh Temple in Chitrapur, Dadhikot, where a chariot procession of Ganesh was also conducted. Residents of Dadhikot and Sirutar offered sacrifices to Ganesh, and devotees celebrated the festival by participating in the chariot procession.

The 'Chanhesiya' or night festival, which began on the evening of the last day of Chaitra and continued throughout the night, concluded in Thimi this morning. As part of the festival celebrated by the residents of Madhyapur Thimi, the Balkumari deity was brought from the Layaku Palace to the Balkumari Temple yesterday evening to commence the proceedings.

During the Chanhesiya festival, the Digu Bhairav from Digu Tole is first brought to Layaku from the house of the Achaju Karmacharya, followed by the Balkumari deity from Taleju, which is carried in a basket covered with cloth to the front of Layaku before being placed in the Balkumari Temple.

During the festival, residents from most houses in Thimi lit torches and played Dhime music. After bringing the deities Dakshin Barahi, Harisiddhi, and Ajima, the procession moved from Balkumari through Shankhadhar Chowk to the Dakshin Barahi Temple in Kwache.

The procession then circumambulated Tachutole and the Bishnu Bir Temple before returning to the Balkumari Temple, where it circled five times before the chariots were placed in their respective positions, marking the end of the festival. The event began yesterday evening and concluded at 4:00 AM today.

Furthermore, residents of Madhyapur Thimi concluded the famous Bishnu Bir and Siddhikali Jatra in Thimi today. The Bishnu Bir deity was taken on a procession through various areas including Sunga Tole, Tachutole, and others, accompanied by various deities, before finally circumambulating the Balkumari Temple.

After local residents worshipped the deities, including Bishnu Bir, placed on the platform of the Balkumari Temple, the tradition involves playing the 'Si' instrument—typically used during funerals—while moving the Bishnu Bir deity from Sunga Tole to Pangu Tole.

Similarly, Siddhikali and other deities were taken through various locations in Thimi before being returned to their respective shrines. The festival concludes with the tradition of offering vermilion to deities like Bishnu Bir, Dakshin Barahi, and Balkumari before they are returned to their original seats.