"Masked devotees"

#12839663

7 Oct 2025

Masked dancers representing deities of the Thecho Navadurga perform the annual ritual dance at Mulchowk, Patan Durbar Square, in Lalitpur, Nepal, on October 7, 2025. The centuries-old Thecho Navadurga Naach, one of the most sacred Newar traditions, is performed twice a year during Vijaya Dashami and Kojagrat Purnima. Devotees carry the main goddess (Mu Dyah) and other deities in full ritual attire -- masks, ornaments, and sacred khukuris -- from the Thecho temple to the historic royal courtyard amid rhythmic beats and devotional hymns, showcasing Newar faith and cultural heritage.

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#12839664

7 Oct 2025

Masked dancers representing deities of the Thecho Navadurga perform the annual ritual dance at Mulchowk, Patan Durbar Square, in Lalitpur, Nepal, on October 7, 2025. The centuries-old Thecho Navadurga Naach, one of the most sacred Newar traditions, is performed twice a year during Vijaya Dashami and Kojagrat Purnima. Devotees carry the main goddess (Mu Dyah) and other deities in full ritual attire -- masks, ornaments, and sacred khukuris -- from the Thecho temple to the historic royal courtyard amid rhythmic beats and devotional hymns, showcasing Newar faith and cultural heritage.

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#12839665

7 Oct 2025

Masked dancers representing deities of the Thecho Navadurga perform the annual ritual dance at Mulchowk, Patan Durbar Square, in Lalitpur, Nepal, on October 7, 2025. The centuries-old Thecho Navadurga Naach, one of the most sacred Newar traditions, is performed twice a year during Vijaya Dashami and Kojagrat Purnima. Devotees carry the main goddess (Mu Dyah) and other deities in full ritual attire -- masks, ornaments, and sacred khukuris -- from the Thecho temple to the historic royal courtyard amid rhythmic beats and devotional hymns, showcasing Newar faith and cultural heritage.

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#12839666

7 Oct 2025

Masked dancers representing deities of the Thecho Navadurga perform the annual ritual dance at Mulchowk, Patan Durbar Square, in Lalitpur, Nepal, on October 7, 2025. The centuries-old Thecho Navadurga Naach, one of the most sacred Newar traditions, is performed twice a year during Vijaya Dashami and Kojagrat Purnima. Devotees carry the main goddess (Mu Dyah) and other deities in full ritual attire -- masks, ornaments, and sacred khukuris -- from the Thecho temple to the historic royal courtyard amid rhythmic beats and devotional hymns, showcasing Newar faith and cultural heritage.

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#12839668

7 Oct 2025

Masked dancers representing deities of the Thecho Navadurga perform the annual ritual dance at Mulchowk, Patan Durbar Square, in Lalitpur, Nepal, on October 7, 2025. The centuries-old Thecho Navadurga Naach, one of the most sacred Newar traditions, is performed twice a year during Vijaya Dashami and Kojagrat Purnima. Devotees carry the main goddess (Mu Dyah) and other deities in full ritual attire -- masks, ornaments, and sacred khukuris -- from the Thecho temple to the historic royal courtyard amid rhythmic beats and devotional hymns, showcasing Newar faith and cultural heritage.

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#12839669

7 Oct 2025

Masked dancers representing deities of the Thecho Navadurga perform the annual ritual dance at Mulchowk, Patan Durbar Square, in Lalitpur, Nepal, on October 7, 2025. The centuries-old Thecho Navadurga Naach, one of the most sacred Newar traditions, is performed twice a year during Vijaya Dashami and Kojagrat Purnima. Devotees carry the main goddess (Mu Dyah) and other deities in full ritual attire -- masks, ornaments, and sacred khukuris -- from the Thecho temple to the historic royal courtyard amid rhythmic beats and devotional hymns, showcasing Newar faith and cultural heritage.

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#12839671

7 Oct 2025

Masked dancers representing deities of the Thecho Navadurga perform the annual ritual dance at Mulchowk, Patan Durbar Square, in Lalitpur, Nepal, on October 7, 2025. The centuries-old Thecho Navadurga Naach, one of the most sacred Newar traditions, is performed twice a year during Vijaya Dashami and Kojagrat Purnima. Devotees carry the main goddess (Mu Dyah) and other deities in full ritual attire -- masks, ornaments, and sacred khukuris -- from the Thecho temple to the historic royal courtyard amid rhythmic beats and devotional hymns, showcasing Newar faith and cultural heritage.

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#12839672

7 Oct 2025

Masked dancers representing deities of the Thecho Navadurga perform the annual ritual dance at Mulchowk, Patan Durbar Square, in Lalitpur, Nepal, on October 7, 2025. The centuries-old Thecho Navadurga Naach, one of the most sacred Newar traditions, is performed twice a year during Vijaya Dashami and Kojagrat Purnima. Devotees carry the main goddess (Mu Dyah) and other deities in full ritual attire -- masks, ornaments, and sacred khukuris -- from the Thecho temple to the historic royal courtyard amid rhythmic beats and devotional hymns, showcasing Newar faith and cultural heritage.

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#12839673

7 Oct 2025

Masked dancers representing deities of the Thecho Navadurga perform the annual ritual dance at Mulchowk, Patan Durbar Square, in Lalitpur, Nepal, on October 7, 2025. The centuries-old Thecho Navadurga Naach, one of the most sacred Newar traditions, is performed twice a year during Vijaya Dashami and Kojagrat Purnima. Devotees carry the main goddess (Mu Dyah) and other deities in full ritual attire -- masks, ornaments, and sacred khukuris -- from the Thecho temple to the historic royal courtyard amid rhythmic beats and devotional hymns, showcasing Newar faith and cultural heritage.

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#12839674

7 Oct 2025

Masked dancers representing deities of the Thecho Navadurga perform the annual ritual dance at Mulchowk, Patan Durbar Square, in Lalitpur, Nepal, on October 7, 2025. The centuries-old Thecho Navadurga Naach, one of the most sacred Newar traditions, is performed twice a year during Vijaya Dashami and Kojagrat Purnima. Devotees carry the main goddess (Mu Dyah) and other deities in full ritual attire -- masks, ornaments, and sacred khukuris -- from the Thecho temple to the historic royal courtyard amid rhythmic beats and devotional hymns, showcasing Newar faith and cultural heritage.

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#12839675

7 Oct 2025

Masked dancers representing deities of the Thecho Navadurga perform the annual ritual dance at Mulchowk, Patan Durbar Square, in Lalitpur, Nepal, on October 7, 2025. The centuries-old Thecho Navadurga Naach, one of the most sacred Newar traditions, is performed twice a year during Vijaya Dashami and Kojagrat Purnima. Devotees carry the main goddess (Mu Dyah) and other deities in full ritual attire -- masks, ornaments, and sacred khukuris -- from the Thecho temple to the historic royal courtyard amid rhythmic beats and devotional hymns, showcasing Newar faith and cultural heritage.

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#12839676

7 Oct 2025

Masked dancers representing deities of the Thecho Navadurga perform the annual ritual dance at Mulchowk, Patan Durbar Square, in Lalitpur, Nepal, on October 7, 2025. The centuries-old Thecho Navadurga Naach, one of the most sacred Newar traditions, is performed twice a year during Vijaya Dashami and Kojagrat Purnima. Devotees carry the main goddess (Mu Dyah) and other deities in full ritual attire -- masks, ornaments, and sacred khukuris -- from the Thecho temple to the historic royal courtyard amid rhythmic beats and devotional hymns, showcasing Newar faith and cultural heritage.

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#12839677

7 Oct 2025

Musicians play traditional Newar percussion to accompany masked dancers of the Thecho Navadurga during the annual ritual at Mulchowk, Patan Durbar Square in Lalitpur, Nepal, on October 7, 2025. The centuries-old Naach, performed during Vijaya Dashami and Kojagrat Purnima, is guided by rhythmic music and chants as devotees carry the main goddess (Mu Dyah) and other deities in full ceremonial attire from the Thecho temple to the royal courtyard, highlighting Newar devotion and heritage.

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#12839670

7 Oct 2025

The main goddess (Mu Dyah) of the Thecho Navadurga is seen during the annual ritual dance at Mulchowk, Patan Durbar Square, in Lalitpur, Nepal, on October 7, 2025. Part of the centuries-old Thecho Navadurga Naach, performed during Vijaya Dashami and Kojagrat Purnima, the goddess is carried by devotees in full ritual attire -- masks, ornaments, and sacred khukuris -- from the Thecho temple to the royal courtyard, accompanied by rhythmic beats and devotional hymns, reflecting Newar faith and cultural traditions.

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#12801674

27 Sep 2025

Devotees attend the annual Shikali Jatra in Khokana, Lalitpur, on September 27, 2025. Masked dancers in the form of various Hindu deities take flights on air as they tour around the temple of ''Shikali.'' It is an age-old tradition celebrated in Khokana as a substitution for the fortnightly festival of Dashain. Khokana, a medieval Newari heritage village in the Southern Kathmandu Valley, observes Shikali Jatra for 5 days, dedicating it to the goddess ''Shikali,'' who is also known as ''Ajima'' or Mother Goddess. Gods and goddesses in human form take flights as they tour around the Sikali temple, which is located on a grassy hill just outside the village. The festival starts with Goddess Rudrayani or Shikali being carried in a wooden chariot throughout the village and rested in front of the temple in Khokana, along with various religious copper vessels. The Jatra witnesses ''Tantric'' rituals along with masked dances garbed in colorful attires, representing 14 gods and goddesses of the Hindu Pantheon. Priests clad in white robes, along with 14 masked deities, come together to perform dances. It is believed that the goddess protects the town from misfortunes and prevents calamities, and it is regarded as an occasion for the farmers to rejoice in the post-harvest season. The dances shown during the Jatra are based on various religious beliefs and perceptions.

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#12801675

27 Sep 2025

Devotees attend the annual Shikali Jatra in Khokana, Lalitpur, on September 27, 2025. Masked dancers in the form of various Hindu deities take flights on air as they tour around the temple of ''Shikali.'' It is an age-old tradition celebrated in Khokana as a substitution for the fortnightly festival of Dashain. Khokana, a medieval Newari heritage village in the Southern Kathmandu Valley, observes Shikali Jatra for 5 days, dedicating it to the goddess ''Shikali,'' who is also known as ''Ajima'' or Mother Goddess. Gods and goddesses in human form take flights as they tour around the Sikali temple, which is located on a grassy hill just outside the village. The festival starts with Goddess Rudrayani or Shikali being carried in a wooden chariot throughout the village and rested in front of the temple in Khokana, along with various religious copper vessels. The Jatra witnesses ''Tantric'' rituals along with masked dances garbed in colorful attires, representing 14 gods and goddesses of the Hindu Pantheon. Priests clad in white robes, along with 14 masked deities, come together to perform dances. It is believed that the goddess protects the town from misfortunes and prevents calamities, and it is regarded as an occasion for the farmers to rejoice in the post-harvest season. The dances shown during the Jatra are based on various religious beliefs and perceptions.

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