Bisket Jatra is Nepal's most spectacular New Year festival, celebrated in the ancient Newari city of Bhaktapur over nine days around mid-April. Marking the start of the Bikram Sambat calendar year (Nepal's official calendar), the festival centres on a massive chariot procession of the god Bhairab through Bhaktapur's narrow medieval streets, a dramatic tug-of-war between neighbourhoods, and the erection of a towering lingo (ceremonial pole) in Lyasinkhel. In 2026, Bisket Jatra begins approximately 10 April and culminates on Navabarsha (New Year's Day) on 14 April (1 Baisakh 2083 BS).
What Is Bisket Jatra and Why Is It Significant?
Bisket Jatra (also written Biska Jatra) is a nine-day festival unique to Bhaktapur, a UNESCO World Heritage city located 13 kilometres east of Kathmandu. The name derives from the Newari words "bi" (snake) and "syaku" (slaughter), referencing the legend of a princess whose suitors died on their wedding night — killed by serpents that emerged from her nostrils. A brave prince finally slew the serpents, and the city celebrated with a festival that has continued unbroken for centuries.
The festival holds multiple layers of significance:
- Calendrical: It marks the transition from one year to the next in the Bikram Sambat calendar, which Nepal uses officially. The moment the lingo pole falls marks the exact New Year.
- Religious: The festival honours Bhairab (a fierce form of Shiva) and his consort Bhadrakali. Their union during the festival symbolises fertility and renewal.
- Civic: Bisket Jatra is profoundly local — it belongs to Bhaktapur and its Newari inhabitants in a way no other festival does. The neighbourhoods (toles) that participate have maintained their roles for generations.
- Political: Historically, the chariot's successful journey was seen as an omen for the coming year. Kings attended and participated.
Unlike most Nepali festivals that follow the lunar calendar, Bisket Jatra follows the solar calendar, making its dates more predictable year to year.
What Happens During the Nine Days of Bisket Jatra?
The festival unfolds in a carefully choreographed sequence of rituals, processions, and celebrations:
Days 1-3: Chariot Assembly and Preparation The massive wooden chariot (ratha) of Bhairab is assembled in Taumadhi Square, near the Nyatapola Temple. A smaller chariot for Bhadrakali is built alongside. The chariots are enormous — Bhairab's stands roughly 10 metres tall and weighs several tonnes. Local craftsmen repair and rebuild the structures using traditional techniques, without nails, relying on rope bindings and wooden pegs.
Day 4: The Great Chariot Pull This is the centrepiece of Bisket Jatra. Hundreds of men from the upper and lower halves of Bhaktapur attach massive ropes to Bhairab's chariot and attempt to pull it through the narrow streets. The upper town (Thane) pulls west, the lower town (Kone) pulls east. The tug-of-war is fierce, genuinely competitive, and occasionally dangerous — the chariot lurches unpredictably through streets barely wider than the chariot itself, demolishing walls and crushing anything in its path. Spectators crowd balconies and rooftops.
The direction the chariot ultimately moves determines which half of the city "wins" the New Year — a matter of enormous local pride.
Day 5-6: The Lingo Erection A massive wooden pole (lingo), 25 metres or taller, is erected at Lyasinkhel, the open ground at the edge of Bhaktapur. Two cloth banners representing the slain serpents hang from the top. Hundreds of men raise the pole using only ropes and manpower — no machinery is permitted. The moment it stands upright, cheers erupt across the valley.
Day 7: Navabarsha (New Year's Day) At dawn, the lingo is pulled down — its fall marks the exact start of the new year. The chariot of Bhairab is pulled back to Taumadhi Square. Families celebrate at home with feasts, new clothes, and visits to temples.
Days 8-9: Tongue Piercing and Closing Rituals In one of the festival's most startling rituals, a devotee from the Shrestha community undergoes tongue piercing with a thin iron spike at Lyasinkhel. He then parades through the streets carrying a bamboo rack of flaming torches from his pierced tongue — a display of faith and physical endurance. The festival concludes with the disassembly of the chariots and a final community feast.
Where Should You Watch the Chariot Pull?
The chariot pull route runs through Bhaktapur's core, and positioning yourself correctly is essential for both safety and spectacle.
Taumadhi Square is the starting point and the best location for watching the chariot begin its journey. The square offers elevated viewpoints from the steps of the Nyatapola Temple and surrounding restaurant terraces. Arrive by 8 AM to secure a good position — the pull typically begins between 10 AM and noon.
Pottery Square to Tachupal Tole is the most dramatic stretch. The chariot must navigate impossibly narrow lanes between ancient brick buildings. The crowds press against walls, the chariot lurches forward in violent bursts, and the energy is electric. This section is not for the claustrophobic — you will be packed tightly with locals.
Lyasinkhel is where the lingo pole is erected and later felled. This open ground provides more space and a different atmosphere — more ritualistic, less chaotic than the chariot pull.
Safety note: Bisket Jatra is not a sanitised tourist event. The chariot is genuinely heavy and unpredictable. Every year, minor injuries occur among spectators who stand too close. Maintain a safe distance, never stand directly in the chariot's path, and follow the lead of locals who know the route intimately.
For accommodation, staying in Bhaktapur itself is strongly recommended — the festival runs late into the night and begins again at dawn. Properties in Bhaktapur can be found on BookGarum, and booking early is essential as the city has limited hotel capacity.
How Do You Get to Bhaktapur and Where Should You Stay?
From Kathmandu: Bhaktapur is a 45-minute drive east on the Arniko Highway. Local buses run frequently from Kathmandu's Kamal Pokhari bus park (NPR 30-40). Taxis cost NPR 1,500-2,500 one way. During Bisket Jatra, traffic near Bhaktapur becomes congested — allow extra time or take a morning bus.
From Kathmandu Airport: Direct taxi to Bhaktapur takes 30-45 minutes (NPR 2,000-3,000). Some hotels arrange airport transfers.
Bhaktapur entry fee: Foreign visitors pay NPR 1,800 for a Bhaktapur Durbar Square entry ticket, valid for the duration of their stay (bring your passport and a photo). SAARC nationals pay NPR 500. This fee applies year-round and grants access to all major squares and monuments.
Accommodation options:
| Category | Price Range (per night) | What to Expect |
|---|---|---|
| Budget guesthouse | NPR 1,500-3,000 | Basic room, shared bathroom, rooftop views |
| Heritage boutique | NPR 4,000-10,000 | Restored Newari building, private bathroom, breakfast |
| Luxury heritage | NPR 12,000-25,000 | Full-service hotel in traditional architecture, restaurant, terrace |
Stay tip: Properties near Taumadhi Square or Dattatreya Square put you within walking distance of all major Bisket Jatra events. The ancient buildings vibrate — literally — as the chariot passes through nearby streets. Browse Bhaktapur properties on BookGarum and filter by proximity to Durbar Square.
What Is the Legend Behind Bisket Jatra?
The origin legend is one of Nepal's most compelling folk tales. A beautiful princess of Bhaktapur was cursed — two serpents lived in her body, emerging from her nostrils each night to kill whoever lay beside her. Suitor after suitor married her and died the following morning. The city was gripped with fear.
Finally, a brave prince from a neighbouring kingdom accepted the challenge. Warned by a wise old woman, he stayed awake through the wedding night. When the two serpents emerged, he seized them and killed them with his bare hands. The city erupted in celebration — the chariots were pulled through the streets in triumph, and the serpents' bodies were hung from a tall pole for all to see.
This legend directly maps to the festival's rituals:
- The chariot pull represents the triumphant procession
- The two cloth banners on the lingo pole represent the slain serpents
- The tug-of-war between neighbourhoods may represent the struggle between good and evil
- The tongue piercing demonstrates that faith can overcome physical suffering, echoing the prince's courage
Historians believe Bisket Jatra predates this legend and may have originally been a spring fertility festival of the Newari people, later absorbed into the Hindu framework. The festival's agricultural timing — immediately before rice planting season — supports this theory.
What Other New Year Celebrations Happen Across Nepal?
While Bisket Jatra is uniquely Bhaktapur's, New Year (Navabarsha) is celebrated across Nepal in various forms:
Kathmandu Valley: Thimi, a town between Kathmandu and Bhaktapur, holds its own dramatic celebration — Sindoor Jatra. Thousands of people throw orange sindoor (vermillion powder) at each other while carrying palanquins of deities through the streets. It is often described as Nepal's "second Holi" and occurs on New Year's Day (14 April 2026).
Pokhara and Western Nepal: Celebrations are more subdued — family gatherings, temple visits, and cultural programmes. The Pokhara Street Festival sometimes coincides with New Year week.
Terai/Madhesh: Communities celebrate with fairs, music, and religious processions. The atmosphere is closer to Indian New Year celebrations (Baisakhi).
Official observances: The government of Nepal hosts a formal New Year programme, typically at Tundikhel in Kathmandu, with cultural performances, speeches, and military displays.
For travellers: If you have limited time, Bhaktapur's Bisket Jatra is the must-see event. If you can spare an extra day, add Thimi's Sindoor Jatra on New Year's Day — it is only 5 kilometres from Bhaktapur and equally unforgettable.
What Should You Pack and How Should You Prepare?
Bisket Jatra falls in mid-April, one of Nepal's warmest pre-monsoon months. Daytime temperatures in the Kathmandu Valley reach 25-30°C, with cool evenings around 12-15°C.
Essential items:
- Comfortable walking shoes with good grip — Bhaktapur's brick-paved streets become slippery with festival offerings and spilled drinks
- Sun protection — hat, sunscreen, sunglasses. April sun in the Valley is strong
- Dust mask or bandana — the chariot pull raises enormous clouds of dust
- Water bottle — dehydration is a real risk in the festival crowds
- Small daypack with rain jacket — April occasionally brings afternoon showers
- Cash — NPR 3,000-5,000 per day. Most Bhaktapur vendors do not accept cards
- Portable battery pack — your phone will drain fast with photos and videos
Cultural etiquette:
- Ask before photographing rituals, especially the tongue piercing ceremony. Some devotees prefer not to be filmed
- Remove shoes before entering any temple compound
- Do not touch the chariots or the lingo pole — they are sacred objects
- If offered food or drink by locals, accept with your right hand or both hands
- The festival involves animal sacrifice at certain points. If this is something you find distressing, ask locally about timing to avoid those specific rituals
- Dress respectfully — shoulders and knees covered when visiting temple areas
Photography tips:
- The chariot pull through narrow streets offers the most dramatic shots. Position yourself on an upper floor or rooftop for a clear view
- The lingo erection at Lyasinkhel is best photographed from a distance with a telephoto lens
- Golden hour light (5-6 PM) on Bhaktapur's brick architecture is exceptional
- The sindoor-covered crowds at Thimi are incredibly photogenic
Bisket Jatra is not a festival that has been adapted for tourists — it is a living, breathing tradition that has continued for centuries in one of Asia's most remarkable medieval cities. That is precisely what makes it worth the journey. Come to witness, participate respectfully, and you will experience a New Year celebration unlike anything else on the planet.