Bisket Jatra, also written Biska Jatra, is Bhaktapur's great spring festival and lasts nine days around Nepali New Year in mid-April. It begins in Taumadhi Square beside the five-storey Nyatapola temple, where the heavy three-tiered chariot of Bhairav is assembled. Teams from the upper and lower halves of the town take hold of thick ropes on either side and pull against each other, and the side that drags the chariot into its own quarter is said to gain good fortune for the year. The tug of war can last hours and becomes loud and crowded.
On the eve of the New Year, at Yoshin Khel near the Khalna area, crowds raise a tall wooden pole, the lingo or yosin, hung with long cloth banners said to represent two serpents. The next evening it is pulled down, and the moment it falls marks the start of the new year. Over the following days neighbouring villages such as Thimi hold their own processions, with Sindoor Jatra in Thimi covering the streets in orange vermilion powder.
April is a good month to be in the valley: days are warm at 25 to 28 °C, rhododendrons bloom on the hills, and Bisket Jatra gives you a festival that is still run by the town for itself. Stay overnight in Bhaktapur if you can, because the chariot pulling continues after day-trippers leave.
Tips
- Watch the chariot tug of war from a raised café or temple step around Taumadhi, not in front of the wheels.
- Stay a night in Bhaktapur during the festival, as evening events continue after day visitors go back to Kathmandu.
- Bring clothes you do not mind staining if you plan to visit Thimi for Sindoor Jatra.
Questions travellers ask
When is Bisket Jatra celebrated?
Bisket Jatra runs for nine days around Nepali New Year, which falls in mid-April, usually 13 or 14 April. The lingo pole is raised on the eve of the New Year and toppled the following evening. Exact dates follow Nepal's calendar, so check current status before you travel. Bhaktapur's hotels fill early for the festival week.
Is Bisket Jatra safe for tourists?
It is generally safe if you keep your distance from the chariot. The tug of war between the two halves of town can be rough, the chariot sometimes lurches or tips, and crowds surge around it. Watch from a raised step, rooftop café or temple plinth near Taumadhi Square, keep children close and follow your guide's advice.
Do I need a ticket to see Bisket Jatra?
There is no separate festival ticket, but foreign visitors entering Bhaktapur pay the town's heritage entry fee, around NPR 1,800 for foreigners and NPR 500 for SAARC nationals, including Indians. Keep the ticket with you, as it is checked at entry points; fees change, so check current status before you travel.
What is the difference between Bisket Jatra and Sindoor Jatra?
Bisket Jatra is Bhaktapur's main New Year festival with the Bhairav chariot and the lingo pole. Sindoor Jatra takes place in neighbouring Thimi on New Year's Day, when palanquins of local deities are carried around the town and people throw orange vermilion powder, leaving streets and crowds coloured. Many visitors see both on the same trip.
