Asian Geographic - 01.01.2018

south asia

WHEN

April 9–16, 2018

WHERE

Bhaktapur, also known as Bhadgaon or

Khwopa, is about 13 kilometres from the

capital city, Kathmandu

HOW

Catch a bus from Kathmandu. Tragically, the

2015 earthquake caused extensive damage

to the buildings, but thankfully, only a few

temples were destroyed

DOS AND DON’TS

• Do walk around shrines or walls with
  inscriptions clockwise


• Don’t touch offerings or people on
  the way to the shrines

EXPERIENCE

BISKET JATRA

An ancient festival in Bhaktapur, Bisket

Jatra is held in honour of the town’s

most important gods, Bhairav and

Bhadrakali. Large shrines containing

figurines of these gods (and several

others) are placed in enormous

wooden chariots and pulled through

the streets by crowds of young men,

alongside singers and musicians with

drums, cymbals and flutes, providing

accompanying fanfare for the parade.

Vermillion powder is scattered over the

men pulling the chariot. The chariots

are laid to rest near a temple, where

people offer rice, coins and powder.

FESTIVAL MUST-SEE:

BISKET JATRA

Nepal

Crowds gather to watch

a ceremony where

long white banners,

representing snakes,

are raised with the pole

The following day, groups of men

hold a tug-of-war to topple the pole,

symbolising the destruction of evil

before the coming year.

For the next eight days, devotees

visit different shrines, and feasts are

held across the city, alongside dancing

and gatherings. During this time, all the

city’s temples are open to the public.

The day before the New Year, a

20-metre pole is erected. Crowds gather

to watch a ceremony where long white

banners, representing snakes, are

raised with the pole. This represents a

tale where two snakes were killed by a

brave man who married the princess.

Young men then attempt to scale

the pole using ropes tied to its sides.

It is believed that those who reach the

top will have male heirs. One volunteer

will also have his tongue pierced

with an iron spike, in which a flaming

bamboo rack is inserted and balanced

for the duration of the festival. This is

believed to bring luck to the community.

NEPAL

Bhaktapur

IMAGES © SHUTTERSTOCK

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