Thimi Biska Jatra
A Tradition of Joy and Devotion
Every year during the new year, with great excitement and happiness, Biska Jatra is celebrated in Madhyapur Thimi, which includes Thimi, Nagadesh, Lokanthali, Bode, and Tigani. There are altogether 32 palanquins, once called “32 khat Jatra (३२ खत जात्रा),” meaning “khat” as palanquin. Thimi has 23, Nagedesh 1, Bode 1 and Tigani 1, and 32. But since 2011, Lokhanthali has been participating in this Biska celebration, taking Siddhikali Jatra to their hometown in Lokanthali. Charkhandi also celebrates Biska, which was started 120 years ago, when people from Thimi migrated to Charkhandi and started this festival there.
In Thimi, three different groups of deities take part in Biska Jatra. It is Balkumari, Bishnubir and Siddhikali gan (as groups). Balkumari gan includes the Balkumari (Kwalakhu Dyo क्वलाखु द्य:), Kalika (Balakhu Dyo वालखु द्य:), and Dakshin Barahi (Kwachhe Dyo क्वाछें द्य:). Harisiddhi (Hinchwo Dyo हिंच्वद्य:), Ajima (Ajimadyo अजिमाद्य:), Mann Binayak, Batuk Bhairav and Hipaa: Dyo. Bishnubir gan includes the deities as Bishnubir (Sunga: Dyo सुंगा:द्य:), Pratham Ganesh (Parsikwa Ganedyo: पर्सिक्व गणेद्य:), Guru Ganesh (Dataa: Ganedyo दता: गणेद्य:), Astabinayak (Bhadeinaye भादेइनाय्), Sthaneswar Ganesh (Thaasma Ganedyo थास्मा गणेद्य:), and Tachu Ganesh (Gaanta Ganedyo गांता गणेद्य:), Narayan (Naradyo नारांद्य:). Siddhikali gan includes the deities as Siddhikali (Inaayekwa Dyo इनाय् क्वद्य:), Guru Ganesh (Chode Gandyo चोदे गणेद्य:), Kwasi Ganesh (Kawasina Ganedyo कवसिना गणेद्य:), Chapacho Ganesh (Du Inaayedyo दु इनाय् द्य:), Raj Ganesh (Inalachhi Ganedyo इनालाछि गणेद्य:), Digu Ganesh (दिगु गणेश), Gachanani Ganesh (गांचाननि गणेश), and Siddhiganesh (Shiwa: Ganedyo सिवा: गणेद्य:).
The festival starts with the Bishnubir gan (Sunga: dyo) jatra on the eve of Chaitra at 4 PM. The next day, on Baishakh 1, at around 3 AM, Chanhesiya jatra (चान्हेसिया जात्रा) takes place. Once the “Balkumari Kwaha: Bijyakegu (बालकुमारी क्वाहाँ विज्याकेगु)” concluded, the festival is started. The Dakchhin Barahi gan take part in this jatra where the khats of deities — Kwachhe Dyo, Hinchwo Dyo and Ajima Dyo are taken to the Dakchhin barahi and brings back to reside in the premises of Balkumari temple. People from every household participate in this festival, holding Chilakh (चिलाख), a firelight as the way is brightened with its lights and the city is filled with Dhimay Baja (धिमे बाजा).
In the evening of Baishakh 1, the Baaylisiya jatra (बाँयलिंसिया जात्रा) starts, including both the Bishnubir gan jatra and Siddhikali gan jatra. Both have different routes, and all the deities are enshrined in their respective places.
The next day, on Baishakh 2, early morning at 7 AM, Sunthasiya jatra (सुथासिया जात्रा) starts. The three gans’ khats participate in this festival, and they have their own route to parade across the city. All the khats are once brought to Balkumari temple, taking three mandatory rounds from Balkumari to Digu tole for three laps. On this day, participants and visitors engage in the jatra, throwing vermillion powder at each other while the whole town is coloured with vermillion. It’s super exciting! With the evolution of time, this day, the festival is named “Sindhur Jatra” just because of the use of vermillion, but the fact that eroding historic name doesn’t make sense, thus this suthasiya Jatra is also a part of Biska Jatra.
All photographs are from the Biska Jatra Photo Competition collection by Rotaract Club of Madhyapur Thimi.
