In this paper, we have studied the bulk viscous fluid connected with string cosmological model in a higher dimensional (five dimensions) Bianchi type-III space–time in the framework of Lyra’s manifold. To get the deterministic solution of the field equations, we assume two physically appropriate conditions: ( i) θ in the model parameter that is proportional to the eigen value of [Formula: see text] of the shear tensor [Formula: see text] and ( ii) the periodic time-varying deceleration parameter q specified as q = mcos ( kt) − 1, where m, k > 0. In this paper, we have studied the periodic time-varying behaviour of a few quantities, such as the deceleration parameter q, the energy density ρ, the proper pressure p, the string tension density λ, the total pressure [Formula: see text], the energy density for particle ρp, and the displacement vector β( t), and we have discussed the physical significance of these quantities. It has been found that in the early stages of the universe’s evolution, string prevails over particles, whereas the universe is dominated by massive string at late time. It is also noted that the string phase of the cosmos does not vanish in the model since particle density is constantly positive throughout the universe’s history. In normal gauge treatment, β( t) acts like cosmological constant (Λ), and the solutions are compatible with observations. For the stability analysis, we have investigated the nature of various energy conditions (ECs). The positive behaviour of DEC indicates the model’s validation; on the other hand, SEC and WEC are violating, indicating the universe’s accelerated expansion.