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Sikali Jatra In Nepal: Where Deities Take Flight

A Nepali child plays a traditional instrument as he marches towards the Shikali ground to observe the annual ''Shikali Jatra'' festival in Khokana, Lalitpur, on September 27, 2025. Masked dancers in the form of various Hindu deities take flights in the 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. A medieval Newari heritage village in the Southern Kathmandu Valley, Khokana 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. It 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 during the festival, 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 their 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. (Photo by Subaas Shrestha/NurPhoto)

Photo Details

Photo ID	#12801679
Date Taken	27 September 2025
Location	N/A
Photographer	Subaas Shrestha/NurPhoto
Category	Human Interest
Copyright	© 2025 NurPhoto - Subaas Shrestha/NurPhoto

Related Keywords

One Person Three Quarter Length Action Shot Nepali child traditional instrument Shikali ground Shikali Jatra festival Khokana Lalitpur September 2025 masked dancers Hindu deities temple Shikali age old tradition Dashain Newari heritage Southern Kathmandu Valley 5 days goddess Shikali Ajima Mother Goddess human form grassy hill Goddess Rudrayani wooden chariot religious copper vessels Tantric rituals colorful attires 14 gods and goddesses Hindu Pantheon priests white robes masked deities dance misfortunes calamities farmers post-harvest season religious beliefs perception Subaas Shrestha NurPhoto.

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