Bisket Jatra
Bisket Jatra or Navavarsha is an annual event in Bhaktapur, Madhyapur Thimi, Dhapasi and Tokha in Nepal. This festival is celebrated during start of Bikram Sambat New year. This festival is observed for eight nights and nine days.
According to myth this celebration is the “festival after the death of the serpent”. Most happening place during festival is Bhaktapur darbar square (Khwopa Layeku), Thimi Balkumari, Bode, etc. In Bhaktapur durbar square, a huge chariot carrying a statue of the god Bhairava is pulled by hundreds of people to the Khalna Tole.Approximately a month ago, the chariot is assembled near Nyatapole temple (five stair temple).
Most spectacular event on Bhaktapur durbar square is a huge tug of war between eastern and western part of town. Each team try to pull to their side but later the chariot is headed toward Khalna Tole. A huge approximately 25 meters Yoh si (lingo) is erected in the stone called yoni(a female genital) base. In the evening of New Year, the Yoh si is pulled down as the New Year is officially commences.
Festival after the death of the serpent
Most spectacular event on Bhaktapur durbar square is a huge tug of war between eastern and western part of town. Each team try to pull to their side but later the chariot is headed toward Khalna Tole. A huge approximately 25 meters Yoh si (lingo) is erected in the stone called yoni(a female genital) base. In the evening of New Year, the Yoh si is pulled down as the New Year is officially commences.
MythologyImages
The famous festival, which is observed for eight nights and nine days, according to historical records it has been marked since the Lichchhivi era (c. 450-c. 750), The Jatra started worshiping Bhairabi temple nearby Paanchtale temple in Naumadi .
During the festival, a chariot procession is held in Bhaktapur and images of Ganesh, Lakshmi and Mahakali are carried around town.
The Bisket Jatra marks a cultural ecstasy in Bhaktapur. Prominently observed at the adventof spring, it is a festival of human emotions that are symbolically depicted through the multiple aspects of the festival.The central point of folklore, as it goes, is about the slaughtering of a pair of snakes by a handsome young man bestowed with tantric powers.It is said that the two serpents came out of the nostrils of a beautiful princess when she sneezed at midnight. In the twinkling of an eye, they transformed into huge serpents. When they were about to strike the young man, he killed them, using his tantric powers.
Having found the youth alive and the serpents dead, Bishwo Malla, the then ruler of Bhaktapur,
According to mythical beliefs, Bhairab and Bhadrakali are the divine male and female forms of the firmament and the Earth, respectively. It is said that the conjugation of the sky and the earth made creation possible on our planet. The rain that showers from the sky on earth is considered the life-giving element, while the earth is the foundation of creation. The hole in which the Yoshin is erected is the symbol of the female creative organ, Guheshwori. introduced the practice of hoisting two long flags on wooden poles, designed after the shapes of the killed serpents. The long poles were addressed as Yoshin, more popular as phallic symbols among the locals today. The banners are also known as ‘Bishwo dhoja’ after the king. The hoisting of these flags is observed annually with much enthusiasm.
During the festival, a chariot procession is held in Bhaktapur and images of Ganesh, Lakshmi and Mahakali are carried around town.
The Bisket Jatra marks a cultural ecstasy in Bhaktapur. Prominently observed at the adventof spring, it is a festival of human emotions that are symbolically depicted through the multiple aspects of the festival.The central point of folklore, as it goes, is about the slaughtering of a pair of snakes by a handsome young man bestowed with tantric powers.It is said that the two serpents came out of the nostrils of a beautiful princess when she sneezed at midnight. In the twinkling of an eye, they transformed into huge serpents. When they were about to strike the young man, he killed them, using his tantric powers.
Having found the youth alive and the serpents dead, Bishwo Malla, the then ruler of Bhaktapur,
According to mythical beliefs, Bhairab and Bhadrakali are the divine male and female forms of the firmament and the Earth, respectively. It is said that the conjugation of the sky and the earth made creation possible on our planet. The rain that showers from the sky on earth is considered the life-giving element, while the earth is the foundation of creation. The hole in which the Yoshin is erected is the symbol of the female creative organ, Guheshwori. introduced the practice of hoisting two long flags on wooden poles, designed after the shapes of the killed serpents. The long poles were addressed as Yoshin, more popular as phallic symbols among the locals today. The banners are also known as ‘Bishwo dhoja’ after the king. The hoisting of these flags is observed annually with much enthusiasm.
