Biska Jatra festival, Bhaktapur

Local from Bhaktapur pulling the chariot of Bhairab during Biska Jatra festival, Bhaktapur

This ancient new year Biska Jatra (बिस्काः जात्रा) 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).