Biska Jatra

Biska Jatra also known as Bisket Jatra is one of the famous festival / jatra celebrated in Bhaktapur city. Biska Jatra is also celebrated in other places with Newari community like Thimi, Tokha etc but in Bhaktapur it is a special one. It is nine days and eight nights festival that witnesses huge local participants along with thousands of visitors. Very few people know that this festival is also referred as a festival that is celebrated two years, two months and two days. I will explain it in this article later.

Bhailakha at Nyatapola

Biska Jatra starts from last 4th day of month Chaitra and ends on 5th of Baisakh according to Bikram Sambat Calendar. In simple, if month Chaitra has 30 days, then Biska Jatra starts at 27th and if it has 31 days, Biska Jatra starts at 28th day of Chaitra. Biska Jatra involves pulling of chariots like tug of war from two sides, erecting around 55 feet long Yo:sing (wooden pole) and worshipping them and other deities.

Biska Jatra commences after a special Tantric ritual in the Bhairav temple in Taumadhi Tole in Bhaktapur. God Bhairav is placed in three storeyed large chariot known as "Bhailakha" in local tongue and Goddess Bhadrakali is placed in two storeyed small chariot known as "Nakinjukhacha" in local tongue. God Bir Betal also sits in Bhailakha. Both chariots are then pulled by crowds to take them to designated place.

Biska Jatra is said to be started by Malla King of Bhaktapur - Jagajyoti Malla around 3-4 centuries ago. He was fascinated by myth and folklore, and it was due to a particularly intriguing myth that Biska Jatra was established as an annual event. Biska Jatra was originally called "Bisyaku Jatra". In Newari, "bi" means snake and "syaku" means slaughter/kill) which reveals the myth of slaughter of snakes.

Myths behind Biska Jatra

There is a myth that this celebration is the "festival after the death of the serpent". According to the myth, once there was a beautiful princess but it was unfortunate that anyone who marry her, found dead the next day. It's cause remained mystery to everyone until once young man risked marrying her despite knowing the result. His elderly mother forbade him from doing so, but then another old lady offered some advice to the young lad for his safety.

Nyatapola

Legend tells of the days when the angry god Bhairab was causing havoc in society (1702 AD). Bhairab’s temple stood in Taumadhi Square. To counteract his destructive behavior the king decided to call goddess Parvati, then Parvati took the form of Siddhi Lakshmi and then carried Bhairav in her hand and built a more powerful temple on the honor of Siddhi Lakshmi(Parvati) right in front of the Bhairab Temple. To make the brick and wood temple strong and powerful, King Bhupatindra Malla ordered guardians be placed in pairs on each level of the base leading up to the Nyatapola Temple. On the first level is a pair of likenesses of Bhaktapur’s strongest man, Jaya mal Pata, a famous wrestler. Next, two elephants followed by two lions, two griffins and finally “Baghini” and “Singhini”, the tiger and lion goddesses. After subduing Bhairab, peace prevailed in the city. The Temple is the tallest temple in the Kathmandu Valley and stands 30m high. It was so well designed that it withstood a powerful 8.3 earthquake in 1934. The image of Siddhi Lakshmi is locked within the temple and only the priests are allowed to enter to worship her. The five-storeyed temple, locally known as Nyatapola, is an impressive and famous temple of Nepal, standing in the northern side of Taumadhi square in Bhaktapur. This is the only temple that is named after the dimension of architecture rather than from the name of the deity residing inside. The temple was erected within a short period of less than five months by King Bhupatindra Malla in 1701/1702 A.D. In the present context of work-schedule, planning and programming, it is very difficult to believe that the temple was erected within that short period of time. But it was the fact. The incidents are recorded day by day.
If we look at the calendar of construction it gives us an interesting picture of the spirit of the people and speed of the work accomplished within such a short period of time. The speed of work done in religious faith can never be accomplished in modern-day society run by materialistic considerations.

Nava Durga

Nava Durga Dance

From a religious point of view, the shrine of Nava Durga the nine manifestations of Goddess Durga has a high place in Bhaktapur. Nava Durga is also the combination of nine protective mother Goddess of the city. The three storied shrine which lies in Kwathando-4, Bhaktapur also popular for the its elaborately carved windows and doors. It seems huge crowd of devotees during Dashain (October), the greatest festival of Hindu in nepal. A wood carved window and the northern facade displays the Chariot of Bhairav which has its own importance and significance.

Kamalbinayak

Kamal Pokhari

Besides Surya Vinayak two other Ganesh Shrines surround Bhaktapur. One of these Ganesh’s temples is Kamal Binayak, which is located just to the northeast of town, along the Nagarkot road at Kamal Pokhari. This temple of Ganesh, is mostly visited by the local people for the purpose of giving ability to quickly learn and speak their children. Besides, it is also a well known place for its peaceful environment and among youths, couples to spend their idle time.

Changu Narayan Temple

Changu Narayan is the name of the deity enshrined in the Changu Narayan Temple, located near the Changunarayan village in Bhaktapur. The temple is one of the oldest Hindu temples of the valley, and is believed to have been constructed in the 4th century. Changu Narayan is the name of Vishnu, and the Temple is dedicated to him. A stone slab discovered in the vicinity of the temple dates to the 5th century, and is the oldest such stone inscription discovered in Nepal. The Changu Narayan Temple is one of seven structures cited by UNESCO as demonstrating the historic and artistic achievements that make the Kathmandu Valley(Bhaktapur) a World Heritage Site.

Known as the biggest among the Narayans, Changu Narayan has greater importance than the others. It is situated at the top of the hill. One can view the beautiful white Himalayas and hills in the north and the whole panoramic view of the Kathmandu valley. The steep green hill of pines adds to its beauty.

Changu Narayan Temple

Siddha Pokhari

Of the many ponds in Bhaktapur, SiddhaPokhari is the largest, rectangular pond located near the main city gate. It is called "Ta-Pukhu" in the local tongue which is Newari(Nepal) Bhasa. It is considered as the most ancient pond in Bhaktapur which is known to have many myths associated to it. This 275m×92m pond was built during the reign of King Yakshya Malla in the early fifteenth century and had undergone many repairs and reconstructions. Nowadays, the pond is of both religious and archeological importance. From this spot a wide range of snowy peaks are visible on clear days.

Suryabinayak Temple

Ganesh of Suryabinayak

About 2 km south of Bhaktapur lies the famous temple of Suryabinayak, which is dedicated to lord Ganesh. The temple is in Shikhara style and is located on a hillock. In the valley are located four popular Ganesh and Suryabinayak is one of them. The Suryabinayak hill looks immensely beautiful and luring during the months of March-April when it is fully covered by Rhododendrons, the national flower of Nepal.

Nagarkot

Nagarkot is a village and Village Development Committee located 32 km east of Kathmandu, Nepal in Bhaktapur District in the Bagmati Zone. At the time of the 1991 Nepal census it had a population of 3504 and had 655 houses in it. At an elevation of 2,195 meters, it is considered one of the most scenic spots in Bhaktapur District. It is renowned for its sunrise view of the Himalaya including Mount Everest as well as other snow-capped peaks of the Himalayan range of eastern Nepal. Nagarkot also offers a panoramic view of the Kathmandu Valley.

View from Nagarkot

Nagarkot is an international tourist destination with spectacular views of the whole Langtang range, sunrise on the mountains and sunset views. We can see the panoramic views of the captivating landscapes and hills with the Kathmandu valley. You can breathe the cool mountain breeze in the resort town of Nagarkot. There are resorts from top-end quality to decent lodges to accommodate you and serves different cuisines.

Pottery Square

Pottery Square

Bhaktapur’s two Pottery Squares are world renowned and so are the many potters that can be seen working there on their traditional wooden wheels. The first Pottery Square is located at Talako, some 500m to the southwest of Taumadhi Square, on the way to the Trolley Bus Terminal. Here visitors will find potters giving shape and size to lumps of black clay, and earthenware they make ranges from such household goods as pots and jars to cheap souvenir items as animals and birds. As pottery in Bhaktapur is a family job, visitors may chance upon the entire family doing their parts of work. Right within the complex is a two-floored temple that houses an ornate image of Ganesh, erected in a very traditional way. The pagoda dates back to the 14th century.

Dattatraya Square

The Dattatraya Temple is the main attraction of the Square. Constructed by King Yaksha Malla, the giant three-storied temple is believed to have been built with the stem of a single tree. Having defied series of calamities, it still bears testimony to the incredible achievement made in those regal days of the Nepalese history.

The Wane Layaku complex, which lies to the south-western corner of the Dattatreya temple, is noted for Bhaktapur’s second Taleju shrine. Enclosed with old houses, the courtyard sees throngs of people, especially during the Mohani (Dashain) festival, when a rare Ghau-batacha (Water Clock) is put on public display. During the Malla Era, the water-clock was used by the then rulers and astrologers for fixing "propitious moments" for commencing and concluding various state and social ceremonies.