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Painting Of Halchowk Aakash Bhairab Masks In Preparation For Indra Jatra Festival

TEJ BAHADUR CHITRAKAR, 87, a veteran artist, paints the Khwapa (mask) of Halchowk Aakash Bhairab for over five decades. He poses with the mask in preparation for the Indra Jatra festival on August 28, 2025, in Kathmandu, Nepal. The Halchowk Aakash Bhairab, revered as a fierce guardian deity, occupies a central role in Newar culture, and his dance is one of the key attractions of the Indra Jatra festival, drawing large crowds of devotees and spectators annually. (Photo by Safal Prakash Shrestha/NurPhoto)

Photo ID	#12683670
Date Taken	28 August 2025
Location	N/A
Photographer	Safal Prakash Shrestha/NurPhoto
Category	Religion and Belief
Copyright	© 2026 NurPhoto - Safal Prakash Shrestha/NurPhoto

One Person Waist Up 2025 August28 Full Length Halchowk Aakash Bhairab Indra Jatra Indra Jatra Festival Kathmandu Khwapa Large Group Of People Nepal Newar culture Safal Safal P Shrestha Safal Photos Safal Prakash Shrestha SafalPrakashShrestha dance devotees festival mask safalphotos spectators tradition Tej Bahadur Chitrakar veteran artist Khwapa mask guardian deity key attraction August 28 NurPhoto painting five decades fierce central role annual large crowds preparation posing revered artist Bhairab culture celebration heritage.