KATHMANDU, April 10: The celebration of Bisket (Biska) jatra-- one of the popular religious festivals celebrated in Kathmandu Valley, began in Bhaktapur from Saturday.
This festival of cultural and historical importance is celebrated for nine days and eight nights.
The festival begins with the pulling of the chariot of Bhaila Kha: (Bhairavnath) from the Nyatapola (five-storey) temple in Taumadhi this evening.
Bhaktapur's Bisket Jatra begins today
The three-storey chariot made of wood in the pagoda style will be pushed and pulled around the settlements with the statues of Bhairavnath and Betal.
Bhaktapur municipality has held discussions with stakeholders to make a routine to observe the festival in an organized manner in view of the risk of coronavirus infection.
Earlier, the District Administration Office, Bhaktapur, had decided not to allow celebrating the festival in public places citing the risk of further spread of COVID-19 in Kathmandu Valley. However, the Supreme Court issued an interim order not to halt the Jatra, thereby giving permission to local people to observe the festival.
The organizers have made arrangements to exercise caution to the extent possible while celebrating the festival. (RSS)
