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Nepal: New Year Festivals of Bhaktapur and Thimi

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Nepal: New Year Festivals of Bhaktapur and Thimi
Nepal's New Year (Bisket) falls between the 12th and 15th of April and Bhaktapur's festival is a feast of colour, crowds, thrill and danger. It starts with a tug-of-war in Taumadhi Square. Residents of the upper and lower halves of the city try to pull a huge chariot to their respective sides. This rath (vehicle of the gods) frequently smashes into temples and houses before it chooses its side. For the New Year to take off a huge tree trunk has to be erected on Potter's Square. Lifting it without accident means the people of Bhaktapur will prosper in the New Year. But when it falls back into the crowd and people are killed - not a rare event - the year will be tough. In neighbouring Thimi people throw clouds of vermilion powder over their friends and neighbours, as a token of respect. Gods are carried through town in palanquins all night. They are too heavy for the shoulders, so people need to rotate, which is not without risks. Marihuana eases the pain as does the trance, created by the magical, slow drumming that impregnates everything.

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  • [NEPAL.KATHMANDUVALLEY 27448] 'Tug-of war in Bhaktapur.' Bhaktapur's New Year's festival (Bisket) starts with a tug-of-war in Taumadhi Square, in which residents of the upper and lower halves of the city try to pull a chariot to their respective sides. The enormous temple shaped rath (vehicle of the gods) contains a mask of the god Bhairava, which is normally kept in the Bhairava Temple that is visible on the left. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

    [NEPAL.KATHMANDUVALLEY 27448] 'Tug-of war in Bhaktapur.' Bhaktapur's New Year's festival (Bisket) starts with a tug-of-war in Taumadhi Square, in which residents of the upper and lower halves of the city try to pull a chariot to their respective sides. The enormous temple shaped rath (vehicle of the gods) contains a mask of the god Bhairava, which is normally kept in the Bhairava Temple that is visible on the left. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

  • [NEPAL.KATHMANDUVALLEY 27450] 'Tug-of war in Bhaktapur.' Bhaktapur's New Year's festival (Bisket) starts with a tug-of-war in Taumadhi Square, in which residents of the upper and lower halves of the city try to pull a chariot to their respective sides. The enormous temple shaped rath (vehicle of the gods) contains a mask of the god Bhairava, which is normally kept in the Bhairava Temple that is visible on the left. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

    [NEPAL.KATHMANDUVALLEY 27450] 'Tug-of war in Bhaktapur.' Bhaktapur's New Year's festival (Bisket) starts with a tug-of-war in Taumadhi Square, in which residents of the upper and lower halves of the city try to pull a chariot to their respective sides. The enormous temple shaped rath (vehicle of the gods) contains a mask of the god Bhairava, which is normally kept in the Bhairava Temple that is visible on the left. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

  • [NEPAL.KATHMANDUVALLEY 27454] 'Bisket festival in Bhaktapur's Taumadhi Square.' Bhaktapur's New Year's festival (Bisket) starts with a tug-of-war in Taumadhi Square, in which residents of the upper and lower halves of the city try to pull a chariot to their respective sides. The enormous temple shaped rath (vehicle of the gods) contains a mask of the god Bhairava. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

    [NEPAL.KATHMANDUVALLEY 27454] 'Bisket festival in Bhaktapur's Taumadhi Square.' Bhaktapur's New Year's festival (Bisket) starts with a tug-of-war in Taumadhi Square, in which residents of the upper and lower halves of the city try to pull a chariot to their respective sides. The enormous temple shaped rath (vehicle of the gods) contains a mask of the god Bhairava. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

  • [NEPAL.KATHMANDUVALLEY 27456] 'Bisket festival in Bhaktapur's Taumadhi Square.' Bhaktapur's New Year's festival (Bisket) starts with a tug-of-war in Taumadhi Square, in which residents of the upper and lower halves of the city try to pull a chariot to their respective sides. The enormous temple shaped rath (vehicle of the gods) contains a mask of the god Bhairava. Photo Paul Smit.

    [NEPAL.KATHMANDUVALLEY 27456] 'Bisket festival in Bhaktapur's Taumadhi Square.' Bhaktapur's New Year's festival (Bisket) starts with a tug-of-war in Taumadhi Square, in which residents of the upper and lower halves of the city try to pull a chariot to their respective sides. The enormous temple shaped rath (vehicle of the gods) contains a mask of the god Bhairava. Photo Paul Smit.

  • [NEPAL.KATHMANDUVALLEY 27463] 'Bisket festival in Bhaktapur's Taumadhi Square.' Bhaktapur's New Year's festival (Bisket) starts with a tug-of-war in Taumadhi Square, in which residents of the upper and lower halves of the city try to pull a chariot to their respective sides. The enormous temple shaped rath (vehicle of the gods) contains a mask of the god Bhairava. Photo Paul Smit.

    [NEPAL.KATHMANDUVALLEY 27463] 'Bisket festival in Bhaktapur's Taumadhi Square.' Bhaktapur's New Year's festival (Bisket) starts with a tug-of-war in Taumadhi Square, in which residents of the upper and lower halves of the city try to pull a chariot to their respective sides. The enormous temple shaped rath (vehicle of the gods) contains a mask of the god Bhairava. Photo Paul Smit.

  • [NEPAL.KATHMANDUVALLEY 27473] 'Preparations for Bhaktapur's Bisket festival.' Bhaktapur's New Year's festival (Bisket) starts with a tug-of-war in Taumadhi Square, in which residents of the upper and lower halves of the city try to pull a chariot containing a mask of the god Bhairava to their respective sides. In preparation for the contest, the metal figure of Betal (Bhairava's mythological bearer) is attached to the heavy upward-curving beam extending to the front of the vehicle. After Bisket Betal will be returned to his temple where he will be bound face-downwards to a beam, as he is considered an evil spirit who brings ill fortune. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

    [NEPAL.KATHMANDUVALLEY 27473] 'Preparations for Bhaktapur's Bisket festival.' Bhaktapur's New Year's festival (Bisket) starts with a tug-of-war in Taumadhi Square, in which residents of the upper and lower halves of the city try to pull a chariot containing a mask of the god Bhairava to their respective sides. In preparation for the contest, the metal figure of Betal (Bhairava's mythological bearer) is attached to the heavy upward-curving beam extending to the front of the vehicle. After Bisket Betal will be returned to his temple where he will be bound face-downwards to a beam, as he is considered an evil spirit who brings ill fortune. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

  • [NEPAL.KATHMANDUVALLEY 27477] 'Children on Bhairava's chariot.' Bhaktapur's New Year's festival (Bisket) starts with a tug-of-war in Taumadhi Square, in which residents of the upper and lower halves of the city try to pull a chariot containing a mask of the god Bhairava to their respective sides. Its four solid-wooden wheels are regarded as sacred representations of the Veda's, ancient Hindu holy books. After the contest Bhaktapur's children play around in the vehicle. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

    [NEPAL.KATHMANDUVALLEY 27477] 'Children on Bhairava's chariot.' Bhaktapur's New Year's festival (Bisket) starts with a tug-of-war in Taumadhi Square, in which residents of the upper and lower halves of the city try to pull a chariot containing a mask of the god Bhairava to their respective sides. Its four solid-wooden wheels are regarded as sacred representations of the Veda's, ancient Hindu holy books. After the contest Bhaktapur's children play around in the vehicle. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

  • [NEPAL.KATHMANDUVALLEY 27481] 'Vehicle of the gods in Bhaktapur.' During Bhaktapur's New Year's festival (Bisket) the enormous temple shaped rath (vehicle of the gods) containing a mask of the god Bhairava is tugged from Taumadhi Square through this narrow street in the direction of Chuping Ghat. Photo Paul Smit.

    [NEPAL.KATHMANDUVALLEY 27481] 'Vehicle of the gods in Bhaktapur.' During Bhaktapur's New Year's festival (Bisket) the enormous temple shaped rath (vehicle of the gods) containing a mask of the god Bhairava is tugged from Taumadhi Square through this narrow street in the direction of Chuping Ghat. Photo Paul Smit.

  • [NEPAL.KATHMANDUVALLEY 27487] 'Bhajan in Bhaktapur's Bhairava Temple.' On the eve Bhaktapur's New Year's festival (Bisket) men have gathered in the entrance gallery of the Bhairava Temple in Taumadhi Square for evening bhajan (hymn-singing) to the accompaniment of cymbels. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

    [NEPAL.KATHMANDUVALLEY 27487] 'Bhajan in Bhaktapur's Bhairava Temple.' On the eve Bhaktapur's New Year's festival (Bisket) men have gathered in the entrance gallery of the Bhairava Temple in Taumadhi Square for evening bhajan (hymn-singing) to the accompaniment of cymbels. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

  • [NEPAL.KATHMANDUVALLEY 27494] 'Bhajan in Bhaktapur's Taumadhi Square.' During Bhaktapur's New Year's festival (Bisket) men have gathered in the Taumadhi Square for bhajan (hymn-singing) to the accompaniment of drums and cymbels. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

    [NEPAL.KATHMANDUVALLEY 27494] 'Bhajan in Bhaktapur's Taumadhi Square.' During Bhaktapur's New Year's festival (Bisket) men have gathered in the Taumadhi Square for bhajan (hymn-singing) to the accompaniment of drums and cymbels. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

  • [NEPAL.KATHMANDUVALLEY 27502] 'Erecting a New Year's pole in Bhaktapur.' On Bhaktapur's Potter's Square, during the New Year's festival (Bisket), men of the pottery-making caste try to erect a huge lingam pole. The pole is a phallic emblem representing the power of Shiva and Bhairava as well as a symbol of the New Year, thought to bring protection and prosperity to the people of Bhaktapur. Photo Paul Smit.

    [NEPAL.KATHMANDUVALLEY 27502] 'Erecting a New Year's pole in Bhaktapur.' On Bhaktapur's Potter's Square, during the New Year's festival (Bisket), men of the pottery-making caste try to erect a huge lingam pole. The pole is a phallic emblem representing the power of Shiva and Bhairava as well as a symbol of the New Year, thought to bring protection and prosperity to the people of Bhaktapur. Photo Paul Smit.

  • [NEPAL.KATHMANDUVALLEY 27506] 'Women in Thimi.' On the first day of the Nepalese New Year the women of Thimi, dressed in their best clothes, are on their way to the Bal Kumari Temple with offerings of flowers, red powder and food. Photo Paul Smit.

    [NEPAL.KATHMANDUVALLEY 27506] 'Women in Thimi.' On the first day of the Nepalese New Year the women of Thimi, dressed in their best clothes, are on their way to the Bal Kumari Temple with offerings of flowers, red powder and food. Photo Paul Smit.

  • [NEPAL.KATHMANDUVALLEY 27508] 'Girl in Thimi.' On the first day of the Nepalese New Year the women of Thimi, dressed in their best clothes, are on their way to the Bal Kumari Temple with offerings of flowers, red powder and food. Photo Paul Smit.

    [NEPAL.KATHMANDUVALLEY 27508] 'Girl in Thimi.' On the first day of the Nepalese New Year the women of Thimi, dressed in their best clothes, are on their way to the Bal Kumari Temple with offerings of flowers, red powder and food. Photo Paul Smit.

  • [NEPAL.KATHMANDUVALLEY 27449] 'Tug-of war in Bhaktapur.' Bhaktapur's New Year's festival (Bisket) starts with a tug-of-war in Taumadhi Square, in which residents of the upper and lower halves of the city try to pull a chariot to their respective sides. The enormous temple shaped rath (vehicle of the gods) contains a mask of the god Bhairava, which is normally kept in the Bhairava Temple that is visible on the left. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

    [NEPAL.KATHMANDUVALLEY 27449] 'Tug-of war in Bhaktapur.' Bhaktapur's New Year's festival (Bisket) starts with a tug-of-war in Taumadhi Square, in which residents of the upper and lower halves of the city try to pull a chariot to their respective sides. The enormous temple shaped rath (vehicle of the gods) contains a mask of the god Bhairava, which is normally kept in the Bhairava Temple that is visible on the left. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

  • [NEPAL.KATHMANDUVALLEY 27453] 'Bisket festival in Bhaktapur's Taumadhi Square.' Bhaktapur's New Year's festival (Bisket) starts with a tug-of-war in Taumadhi Square, in which residents of the upper and lower halves of the city try to pull a chariot to their respective sides. The enormous temple shaped rath (vehicle of the gods) contains a mask of the god Bhairava, which is normally kept in the Bhairava Temple that is visible on the right. On the left stands the five-tiered Nyatapola Temple. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

    [NEPAL.KATHMANDUVALLEY 27453] 'Bisket festival in Bhaktapur's Taumadhi Square.' Bhaktapur's New Year's festival (Bisket) starts with a tug-of-war in Taumadhi Square, in which residents of the upper and lower halves of the city try to pull a chariot to their respective sides. The enormous temple shaped rath (vehicle of the gods) contains a mask of the god Bhairava, which is normally kept in the Bhairava Temple that is visible on the right. On the left stands the five-tiered Nyatapola Temple. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

  • [NEPAL.KATHMANDUVALLEY 27455] 'Bisket festival in Bhaktapur's Taumadhi Square.' Bhaktapur's New Year's festival (Bisket) starts with a tug-of-war in Taumadhi Square, in which residents of the upper and lower halves of the city try to pull a chariot to their respective sides. The enormous temple shaped rath (vehicle of the gods) contains a mask of the god Bhairava, which is normally kept in the Bhairava Temple that is visible behind the chariot. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

    [NEPAL.KATHMANDUVALLEY 27455] 'Bisket festival in Bhaktapur's Taumadhi Square.' Bhaktapur's New Year's festival (Bisket) starts with a tug-of-war in Taumadhi Square, in which residents of the upper and lower halves of the city try to pull a chariot to their respective sides. The enormous temple shaped rath (vehicle of the gods) contains a mask of the god Bhairava, which is normally kept in the Bhairava Temple that is visible behind the chariot. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

  • [NEPAL.KATHMANDUVALLEY 27462] 'Bisket festival in Bhaktapur's Taumadhi Square.' Bhaktapur's New Year's festival (Bisket) starts with a tug-of-war in Taumadhi Square, in which residents of the upper and lower halves of the city try to pull a chariot to their respective sides. The enormous temple shaped rath (vehicle of the gods) contains a mask of the god Bhairava. Photo Paul Smit.

    [NEPAL.KATHMANDUVALLEY 27462] 'Bisket festival in Bhaktapur's Taumadhi Square.' Bhaktapur's New Year's festival (Bisket) starts with a tug-of-war in Taumadhi Square, in which residents of the upper and lower halves of the city try to pull a chariot to their respective sides. The enormous temple shaped rath (vehicle of the gods) contains a mask of the god Bhairava. Photo Paul Smit.

  • [NEPAL.KATHMANDUVALLEY 27471] 'Bisket festival in Bhaktapur's Taumadhi Square.' Bhaktapur's New Year's festival (Bisket) starts with a tug-of-war in Taumadhi Square, in which residents of the upper and lower halves of the city try to pull a chariot containing a mask of the god Bhairava to their respective sides. Here: The heavy upward-curving beam extending to the front of vehicle with in the background: the five-tiered Nyatapola Temple. The boys on the chariot are encouraging their pulling companions. Photo Paul Smit.

    [NEPAL.KATHMANDUVALLEY 27471] 'Bisket festival in Bhaktapur's Taumadhi Square.' Bhaktapur's New Year's festival (Bisket) starts with a tug-of-war in Taumadhi Square, in which residents of the upper and lower halves of the city try to pull a chariot containing a mask of the god Bhairava to their respective sides. Here: The heavy upward-curving beam extending to the front of vehicle with in the background: the five-tiered Nyatapola Temple. The boys on the chariot are encouraging their pulling companions. Photo Paul Smit.

  • [NEPAL.KATHMANDUVALLEY 27474] 'Children on Bhairava's chariot.' Bhaktapur's New Year's festival (Bisket) starts with a tug-of-war in Taumadhi Square, in which residents of the upper and lower halves of the city try to pull a chariot containing a mask of the god Bhairava to their respective sides. During the preparations of the contest Bhaktapur's children play around in the vehicle. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

    [NEPAL.KATHMANDUVALLEY 27474] 'Children on Bhairava's chariot.' Bhaktapur's New Year's festival (Bisket) starts with a tug-of-war in Taumadhi Square, in which residents of the upper and lower halves of the city try to pull a chariot containing a mask of the god Bhairava to their respective sides. During the preparations of the contest Bhaktapur's children play around in the vehicle. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

  • [NEPAL.KATHMANDUVALLEY 27479] 'Vehicle of the gods in Bhaktapur.' During Bhaktapur's New Year's festival (Bisket) the enormous temple shaped rath (vehicle of the gods) containing a mask of the god Bhairava is tugged from Taumadhi Square through this narrow street in the direction of Chuping Ghat. Photo Paul Smit.

    [NEPAL.KATHMANDUVALLEY 27479] 'Vehicle of the gods in Bhaktapur.' During Bhaktapur's New Year's festival (Bisket) the enormous temple shaped rath (vehicle of the gods) containing a mask of the god Bhairava is tugged from Taumadhi Square through this narrow street in the direction of Chuping Ghat. Photo Paul Smit.

  • [NEPAL.KATHMANDUVALLEY 27483] 'Vehicle of the gods in Bhaktapur.' During Bhaktapur's New Year's festival (Bisket) the enormous temple shaped rath (vehicle of the gods) containing a mask of the god Bhairava is tugged from Taumadhi Square through this narrow street in the direction of Chuping Ghat. Photo Paul Smit.

    [NEPAL.KATHMANDUVALLEY 27483] 'Vehicle of the gods in Bhaktapur.' During Bhaktapur's New Year's festival (Bisket) the enormous temple shaped rath (vehicle of the gods) containing a mask of the god Bhairava is tugged from Taumadhi Square through this narrow street in the direction of Chuping Ghat. Photo Paul Smit.

  • [NEPAL.KATHMANDUVALLEY 27490] 'Bhajan in Bhaktapur's Bhairava Temple.' On the eve Bhaktapur's New Year's festival (Bisket) men have gathered in the entrance gallery of the Bhairava Temple in Taumadhi Square for evening bhajan (hymn-singing). Photo Mick Palarczyk.

    [NEPAL.KATHMANDUVALLEY 27490] 'Bhajan in Bhaktapur's Bhairava Temple.' On the eve Bhaktapur's New Year's festival (Bisket) men have gathered in the entrance gallery of the Bhairava Temple in Taumadhi Square for evening bhajan (hymn-singing). Photo Mick Palarczyk.

  • [NEPAL.KATHMANDUVALLEY 27499] 'Erecting a New Year's pole in Bhaktapur.' On Bhaktapur's Potter's Square, during the New Year's festival (Bisket), men of the pottery-making caste try to erect a huge lingam pole. The pole is a phallic emblem representing the power of Shiva and Bhairava as well as a symbol of the New Year, thought to bring protection and prosperity to the people of Bhaktapur. Photo Paul Smit.

    [NEPAL.KATHMANDUVALLEY 27499] 'Erecting a New Year's pole in Bhaktapur.' On Bhaktapur's Potter's Square, during the New Year's festival (Bisket), men of the pottery-making caste try to erect a huge lingam pole. The pole is a phallic emblem representing the power of Shiva and Bhairava as well as a symbol of the New Year, thought to bring protection and prosperity to the people of Bhaktapur. Photo Paul Smit.

  • [NEPAL.KATHMANDUVALLEY 27505] 'Erecting a New Year's pole in Bhaktapur.' On Bhaktapur's Potter's Square, during the New Year's festival (Bisket), men of the pottery-making caste try to erect a huge lingam pole. The pole is a phallic emblem representing the power of Shiva and Bhairava as well as a symbol of the New Year, thought to bring protection and prosperity to the people of Bhaktapur. Photo Paul Smit.

    [NEPAL.KATHMANDUVALLEY 27505] 'Erecting a New Year's pole in Bhaktapur.' On Bhaktapur's Potter's Square, during the New Year's festival (Bisket), men of the pottery-making caste try to erect a huge lingam pole. The pole is a phallic emblem representing the power of Shiva and Bhairava as well as a symbol of the New Year, thought to bring protection and prosperity to the people of Bhaktapur. Photo Paul Smit.

  • [NEPAL.KATHMANDUVALLEY 27507] 'Women in Thimi.' On the first day of the Nepalese New Year the women of Thimi, dressed in their best clothes, are on their way to the Bal Kumari Temple with offerings of flowers, red powder and food. Photo Paul Smit.

    [NEPAL.KATHMANDUVALLEY 27507] 'Women in Thimi.' On the first day of the Nepalese New Year the women of Thimi, dressed in their best clothes, are on their way to the Bal Kumari Temple with offerings of flowers, red powder and food. Photo Paul Smit.

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    [NEPAL.KATHMANDUVALLEY 27483] 'Vehicle of the gods in Bhaktapur.' During Bhaktapur's New Year's festival (Bisket) the enormous temple shaped rath (vehicle of the gods) containing a mask of the god Bhairava is tugged from Taumadhi Square through this narrow street in the direction of Chuping Ghat. Photo Paul Smit.
    [NEPAL.KATHMANDUVALLEY 27487] 'Bhajan in Bhaktapur's Bhairava Temple.' On the eve Bhaktapur's New Year's festival (Bisket) men have gathered in the entrance gallery of the Bhairava Temple in Taumadhi Square for evening bhajan (hymn-singing) to the accompaniment of cymbels. Photo Mick Palarczyk.
    [NEPAL.KATHMANDUVALLEY 27490] 'Bhajan in Bhaktapur's Bhairava Temple.' On the eve Bhaktapur's New Year's festival (Bisket) men have gathered in the entrance gallery of the Bhairava Temple in Taumadhi Square for evening bhajan (hymn-singing). Photo Mick Palarczyk.