Kathmandu, April 5
As in the previous year, the District Administration Office in Bhaktapur has ordered the locals not to organise the annual Biska Jatra (aka Bisket Jatra) on the occasion of the New Year next week.
A meeting of the district officials held on Sunday decided the jatra should not be held this year owing to the fears of the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic. The jatra was not held last year also due to the same reason.
The decision was made when the locals had already started building a rath (chariot) for the festival. However, a basic worshipping ritual is still allowed, informs Chief District Officer Prem Prasad Bhattarai.
The jatra would see a mass of thousands of people from various parts in and around Kathmandu every year.
Last year, many other traditional jatras of Kathmandu were cancelled, postponed or reduced to basics due to the pandemic. As the new season of festivals is beginning, many fear the restrictions would repeat this year also.
