July 28, 2025

Every spring, as the Nepali New Year approaches, the ancient city of Bhaktapur erupts into days of wild celebration during Bisket Jatra. This spectacular festival is one of the most dramatic and intense in the Kathmandu Valley—featuring massive wooden chariots, tug-of-war battles between rival neighborhoods, and age-old rituals rooted in both myth and agricultural renewal.

The festival marks the start of the Bikram Sambat calendar and celebrates the legendary slaying of a serpent demon. Symbolically, it represents the triumph of life over death, light over darkness, and communal strength over chaos. At the center of the celebration are two towering chariots, each carrying the image of Bhairab and Bhadrakali, the male and female deities of power and protection.

The most dramatic event is the chariot tug-of-war between the upper and lower halves of the city. These enormous wooden chariots are pulled through Bhaktapur’s narrow lanes by rival groups, often turning into intense and chaotic contests of strength and spirit. Locals climb on rooftops and lean from windows to witness the action, cheering and jeering with equal intensity.

Beyond the chariots, Bisket Jatra includes pole-raising rituals, where a tall lingo (wooden pole) is hoisted to signal fertility and divine energy. The entire city transforms into a stage of drums, flutes, laughter, and sacred rituals, as people pour into the squares to dance, feast, and honor the gods.

This festival isn’t just a performance for outsiders—it’s a vital part of Bhaktapur’s cultural identity and spiritual rhythm. Residents spend weeks preparing for it, from chariot building and mask making to brewing traditional alcohol and preparing feasts. Tourists who visit during Bisket Jatra are not just spectators—they become swept into a collective expression of energy and devotion.

Time of Year: April (Nepali New Year / start of Bikram Sambat calendar)

Location: Bhaktapur city center

Duration: 8–9 days

What to Expect: Giant chariot processions, tug-of-war contests, pole-raising rituals, festive crowds, intense street energy

Interesting Facts:

  • Said to commemorate the slaying of serpent demons who haunted a princess’s wedding bed
  • Involves one of the oldest and most dangerous chariot rituals in Nepal
  • Local communities take deep pride in their roles as chariot pullers, guardians, and musicians