Click image to zoom

Sikali Jatra In Nepal: Where Deities Take Flight

A masked dancer in the form of Hindu deities takes flight in the air as they tour around the temple of Shikali. This is an age-old tradition celebrated in Khokana, Nepal, as a substitution for the fortnightly festival of Dashain on September 27, 2025. Khokana, a medieval Newari heritage village in the southern Kathmandu Valley, observes Shikali Jatra for five days, dedicating it to the goddess Shikali, also known as Ajima or Mother Goddess. Gods and goddesses in human form take flight 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 attire, representing 14 gods and goddesses of the Hindu Pantheon. Priests clad in white robes, along with 14 masked deities, come together to perform the dance. 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. (Photo by Subaas Shrestha/NurPhoto)

Photo Details

Photo ID	#12801686
Date Taken	27 September 2025
Location	N/A
Photographer	Subaas Shrestha/NurPhoto
Category	Human Interest
Copyright	© 2025 NurPhoto - Subaas Shrestha/NurPhoto

Related Keywords

Large Group of People Action Shot Masked dancer Hindu deities Shikali Khokana Dashain Newari heritage Kathmandu Valley Shikali Jatra goddess Shikali Ajima Mother Goddess Sikali temple Goddess Rudrayani wooden chariot Tantric rituals masked dances colorful attires Hindu Pantheon priests white robes 14 masked deities misfortunes calamities farmers post-harvest season religious beliefs perception medieval village Southern Kathmandu grassy hill religious copper vessels Subaas Shrestha NurPhoto flights on air age-old tradition fortnightly festival temple tour dance performance.

License This Photo

Digital Basic Editorial use on digital platforms only (websites, social media). Single use, up to 1 million monthly UVs. Worldwide distribution. NO COMMERCIAL OR PROMOTIONAL USE

€35.00

Editorial Print & Digital For editorial use in print and digital publications such as newspapers, magazines, and textbooks. Single use, up to 10,000 copies or 1 million UVs. Worldwide distribution. NO COMMERCIAL OR PROMOTIONAL USE

€99.00

Broadcast (TV & Digital) For editorial use in TV production or streaming platforms. Single use, all media rights excluding theatrical, with worldwide distribution in perpetuity. NO COMMERCIAL OR PROMOTIONAL USE

€399.00

Total Price

€35.00

Secure checkout

Need a custom license?

Contact Sales