In a powerful display of ancient tradition, the 55-hand-long Yosing-dyo (ceremonial pole) was pulled down this evening at Bhelukhel, signaling the formal arrival of the Nepali New Year 2083. Thousands of onlookers cheered as the massive timber structure touched the ground, a moment believed by locals to clear the path for a prosperous year ahead.
The falling of the pole is the spiritual climax of the Biska Jatra festival. According to Newari legend, the pole represents the symbolic killing of two serpents that had brought misfortune to the ancient kingdom. Its descent marks the “death” of the old year and the birth of the new one.
Crowds Defy Heat to Witness the Descent
Despite the high temperatures today, the open grounds of Bhelukhel were packed with devotees from across the Kathmandu Valley. The atmosphere was thick with the scent of incense and the sound of traditional Newari instruments.
The process of lowering the pole is a delicate and dangerous task, requiring hundreds of men to coordinate using thick hemp ropes. “It is a moment of high tension and high joy,” said a local resident. “When the pole finally rests, we feel that the obstacles of the past year have been removed.”
Security and Organization
The Bhaktapur District Administration maintained a heavy security presence throughout the event to prevent the overcrowding and stone-throwing incidents that have occasionally happened in the past.
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Attendance: Unofficial estimates suggest over 150,000 people visited the city center today.
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Logistics: Volunteers and medical teams were stationed at key points to assist with heat exhaustion and minor injuries in the dense crowd.
A City in Celebration
While the fall of the pole marks the transition into the New Year, the celebrations in Bhaktapur are far from over.
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Tonight: The chariots of Lord Bhairavnath and Goddess Bhadrakali will be brought together in a symbolic ritual known as Dyo Lwakigu.
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Tomorrow: The festivities will shift toward Madhyapur Thimi for the famous Sindoor Jatra, where locals will celebrate with vermilion powder and traditional music.
As the pole was lowered today, the city transitioned into a night of feast and family gatherings, officially welcoming Baisakh 1, 2083.