Bhaktapur's Historic Bisket Jatra Concludes Amid Tight Security

Bhaktapur. The famous Bisket Jatra, celebrated grandly for eight nights and nine days in Bhaktapur, is concluding today. The festival, which began on Chaitra 27 with the pulling of the Bhairav chariot from Taumadhi, will come to an end today.

Ananda Karmacharya, Chief of the Guthi Office, Bhaktapur, stated that the festival will conclude today at 4:00 PM by pulling the Bhairav chariot from Gahiti. He noted that all rituals will be completed by the afternoon, followed by the final chariot procession.

Stating that the festival has been peaceful so far, Chief Karmacharya mentioned that if no untoward incidents occur during today's chariot pulling, this year's festival will be considered a success.

2,000 Security Personnel Deployed Today

To prevent potential clashes or disputes while moving the chariot up and down from Taumadhi, the District Administration Office, Bhaktapur, has deployed 2,000 security personnel today.

Bhaktapur's Chief District Officer, Gopal Prasad Aryal, stated that security measures have been tightened to prevent disturbances and ensure the peaceful conclusion of the Bisket Jatra.

He said, “The chariot pulling is scheduled for 4:00 PM. Police are monitoring the festival via CCTV cameras. Security personnel in plain clothes are also monitoring the event using mobile devices for photos and video. As this is a local festival, security personnel remain in the background to avoid disruption, intervening only if disturbances occur.”

Superintendent of Police Surya Bahadur Khadka of the District Police Range, Bhaktapur, confirmed the deployment of 2,000 security personnel for today's event. He appealed for a peaceful conclusion, stating that police will only intervene at the site if clashes break out.

Informing that a security team including Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, National Investigation Department, and the Nepal Army has been mobilized, he warned that anyone attempting to incite violence, throw stones, or cause disturbances will be arrested and face strict action. He added that additional police support has been brought in from Kathmandu, and plainclothes officers have been deployed for the festival.