The bhailakhaḥ or the chariot of Bhairava in Bhaktapur. Photo by: Sushan Mool [1]
Genre
Festival
Dates
14 April (13 April on leap years)
Frequency
Annual
Location(s)
Bhaktapur District
Country
Nepal
Activity
Religious
Biskā Jātrā (Newar: 𑐧𑐶𑐳𑑂𑐎𑐵𑑅 𑐖𑐵𑐟𑑂𑐬𑐵, biskāḥ jātrā), also known as Biska Jatra (Nepali: बिस्का जात्रा) refers to an annual festival celebrated in April at Bhaktapur, Thimi and their environs.[1] In many of the places where it is celebrated including Bhaktapur and Thimi, Biska acts as the main celebration of the year. Biska unlike other Nepalese festivals is based on the Hindu solar calendar instead of the Nepalese lunar calendar.[2]
The name Biska encompasses festivals celebrated around the same time in Bhaktapur, Thimi, Bode, Nagadesh, Dhapasi, Tokha, Dhulikhel, Katunje, Gundu and Sanga all of which were once part of the Kingdom of Bhaktapur.[1] Biska originated as festival celebrating Vaisakhi, the Solar New Year, in Bhaktapur by exhibiting a long banner tied in a long wooden pole.[2] During the Malla dynasty, the festival spread to other parts of the kingdom and many new traditions were added, including the ratha festival of Bhairava and his consort Bhadrakali in Bhaktapur, the sindoor throwing festival in Thimi, both of which constitute the most iconic part of the festival today.[3] Each city has its own unique way of celebrating the festival.
^ ab"बिस्का जात्राको संस्कृति र इतिहास". Majdoor (in Nepali). 13 April 2022. Archived from the original on 19 November 2023.
^ abVajracharya, Gautama Vajra (6 November 2018). "Nepal Saṃvat and Vikrama Saṃvat; Discerning Original Significance". Asian Art. Archived from the original on 20 November 2023.
^Shrestha, Purushottam Lochan (13 April 2020). "biksah bare yek bichara". Majdoor (in Nepali).
in Nepali, the festival is referred to as BisketJatra, a Nepali adaptation of the Newar term "biskāḥ jātrā". Many legends relating to the festival's...
(Indra Jatra): Celebrated in central Kathmandu Bungdya Jatra: Celebrated in Patan Bisak Jatra: Celebrated in Major parts of Bhaktapur BisketJatra: Celebrated...
is kept on the chariot during Biska Jatra (BisketJatra) (Baisakh 1st and 2nd) and Yenya Punhi Siddhikali Jatra. Siddhikali temple is a Shaktipeeth and...
Panchami Sila Chahre Holi Punhi Pahan Charhe BisketJatra Jana Baha Dyah Jatra Bungdya Jatra Bhoto Jatra Swanya Punhi Sithi Nakhah Gathan Mugah Gunla...
main idol of the goddess Balkumari which is taken out only in BisketJatra to perform jatra is kept here. Similarly, the Layaku Bhairab dance of Thimi is...
Chaitra. The first day of the new year is a public holiday in Nepal. BisketJatra, an annual carnival in Bhaktapur, is also celebrated on Baishakh 1. In...
Kumbha Bharani, Kerala Temple car (decorated), Udupi, Karnataka, India. BisketJatra Chariot Bhaktapur, Nepal. Picture of Tirunelveli Nellaiappar Temple Golden...
Year, or Vishu (Kerala, India) Nepali New Year, or Baisakh Ek Gatey or BisketJatra (Nepal) Odia New Year, or Maha Vishuva Sankranti (Odisha, India) Tamil...
include: In the Indian Subcontinent (South Asia): Bohag Bihu: Assam, India BisketJatra or Baisakh Ek Gatey: Nepal Pahela Baishakh: West Bengal, east and northeastern...
sacred vest. The biggest outdoor celebration in Bhaktapur is Biska Jatra (BisketJatra) which is marked by chariot processions and lasts for nine days....
Nyatpola Taumadhi Square Wooden wheels of a disassembled festival cart for BisketJatra Bhojanalaya overlooking the temples Wide view of Nyatapola Temple Another...
the Karmacharya's were from Bhaktapur and Dhunju's were from Lalitpur. BisketJatra is a major festival which is celebrated during the new year period based...
and rituals (Jatra, Puja): Janabahaadya chariot festival Bunga Dyah Jatra chariot festival Indra Jatra New year of Nepal Sambat BisketJatra Pujas for deities...
Newar and Hindu festivals such Dashain, Tihar, BisketJatra, Yomari Punhi, Maghe Sankranti, Gai Jatra, Nag Panchami, Siti Nakha, Holi, Shiva Ratri. Guthis...
in which Bhusya are played are as follows- BisketJatra Yenya punhi Janamaadya rath jatra Bungdya rath jatra "Jwajalapa". Archived from the original on...
a national holiday. In Tokha, New Year begins with new Festival i.e. BisketJatra of Tokha . It Begins from Baisakh 1st to Baisakh 5th. People of Tokha...
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