Bisket Jatra, a much-anticipated festival, began on Monday with both locals and foreigners being part of the expectant pomp.

The festival, which lasts for eight nights and nine days and holds both historical and cultural significances, is also known for the wedding procession of God Bhairav and Goddess Bhadrakali (considered as husband and wife).

The chariot procession is the highlight of Bisket Jatra, with revellers of Thane (upper) and Kwane (lower) pulling the pagoda-shaped chariots of Bhairav and Bhadrakali through the city’s narrow alleys and crowds of cheering onlookers. 

The occasion has helped many of the locals to get over their difficult past.

“Personally, I feel this festival as an antidote for my pain,” said Saroj Raj Gosai, 40, who lost his wife and aunt in the devastating earthquake two years ago. “We all get together and celebrate the festival, putting behind our sorrow and pain. That’s why such festivals were manifested by our ancestors,” added Gosai, who is also a lecturer at the Khwopa College in Bhaktapur.

Bhaktapur is among the 14 districts worst hit by the earthquake of April 25, 2o15 that killed almost 9,000 people. A total of 1,226 people, including 252 alone in the core city, lost their lives in the disaster which also destroyed 18,900 houses, and damaged 9,054 others in the district, according to the Home Ministry data. 

The festival has been a big draw for foreigners, who jostle for best seats on roofs and verandas of guest houses and cafés around the city. On the inaugural day of Bisket Jatra, some tourists were seen live streaming the chariot procession on social media, while others were busy capturing the moments on cameras. 

Karla Sisther, a 25-year-old anthropology student from Germany, has come to Bhaktapur to have a closer look at the city and study the festival. “I learnt about the festival via internet. The ritual of tongue piercing during the festival really fascinated me. And this is a colourful festival that evokes positivity among all,” said Sisther. 

The festival which heralds the start of a new year, and for tourism entrepreneurs also the start of a brisk business. 

Bisket Jatra has always been a big crowd puller, according to Ram Sunder Vele, the vice-president of the Bhaktapur Tourism Development Committee. “All the hotels around the Taumadi square and Durbar Square have been booked for the Bisket Jatra a year in advance,” said Vele. 

Rooms of all 49 guest houses in the city have been booked, with more than 1,300 tourists are understood to have checked in for nine days. 

Cultural expert Om Dhaubhadel attributes locals’ tireless efforts for making 

the city a magnet to the foreigners. 

“The credit goes to the locals’ hard work in preserving the time-worn tradition,” Dhaubhadel said, quickly adding, “But everyone should make an effort to prevent clashes during this event. The local administration should be on alert to rule out any untoward incidents.”

The Metropolitan Police Range Office, Bhaktapur has mobilised 1,000 police personnel, including 250 from the Armed Police Force. “This year, we have added 200 more security personnel. The number of festival attendees is expected to be higher as hundreds of quake victims from the adjoining districts have migrated here,” said Superintendent of Police Kiran Rana of the range.

PHOTOS: MILAN ADHIKARI