Bhaktapur, April 10

One of the prides of Bhaktapur – Biska Jatra is starting today, on 29th of Chaitra as per tradition.

Today, the nine-day festival begins with pulling of Bhailakha‘s chariot in a ‘tug of war’ between Thane (up) and Kone (down) settlements of the city.

There is a religious belief that watching this Jatra destroys one’s enemy, hence it is also called Shatruhanta Jatra.

Sano rath (chariot) in the making at Ta:mari Square, Bhaktapur, Sunday, April 10, 2022. Photo: Kriti Joshi/THT Online

People this morning remain busy preparing for the commotion that will occur in the evening today. All the shopkeepers and residents whose shops or houses stand near to the chariot’s path will have to take off the awnings, cover the door with tin or iron doors for protection during the pull.

According to the Chief District Officer Rudra Devi Sharma who was quoted by Rastriya Samachar Samiti shared that strategies have been made after holding discussions with the stakeholders to complete the Jatra in a dignified and timely manner.

Metropolitan Police Chief Shiva Kumar Shrestha was also quoted as saying, 950 Nepal Police and 400 Armed Police personnel will be mobilized for the Jatra, CCTV cameras have been installed at the crossroads to identify the rioters during the procession.

An artist painting the chariot of Bhairavnath for the Jatra smiles during a conversation with another man at Ta:mari Square, Bhaktapur, Sunday, April 10, 2022. Photo: Kriti Joshi/THT Online

An artist paints the chariot of Bhairavnath before the procession of Biska Jatra at Ta:mari Square, Bhaktapur, Sunday, April 10, 2022. Photo: Kriti Joshi/THT Online