Biska Jatra, Bhaktapur

Biska Jatra festival at Taumadi Square, Bhaktapur, 10 April 2022

Biska: Jatra (बिस्काः जात्रा) is an ancient new year festival of Bhaktapur takes place at the new year of the Bikram Sambat calendar (April). A few days before the new year, the goddess ‘Bhadrakali’ and the god ‘Bhairab’ are enshrined in their BHAILAKHA, (chariots) and pulled through the narrow streets of Bhaktapur by crowds of young men. The chariots rest at certain time-honored places in the city where people come out to throw offerings of flowers, rice, coins, and red Sindur (vermilion powder).