Editorial photo #6936660 Human Interest

Daily Life In Nepal

Relief carving depicting the tantric form of the goddess Kali known as Chhinnamasta at a small temple near Durbar Square in Patan, Nepal, on December 07, 2011. The self-decapitated goddess holds her own severed head in one hand and a scimitar in another. Three jets of blood spurt out of her bleeding neck and are drunk by her severed head and two attendants. Chhinnamasta is shown standing on Kama Deva (the god of love and desire) and his wife Rati, who are engrossed in copulation. Below the couple lies a lotus and in the background is a cremation ground. Chhinnamasta is one of the Mahavidyas, ten tantric goddesses and a ferocious aspect of Devi, the Hindu Devine Mother. She symbolizes both aspects of Devi a life-giver and a life-taker. Her legends emphasize her sacrifice-sometimes with a maternal element, her sexual dominance and her self-destructive fury. (Photo by Creative Touch Imaging Ltd./NurPhoto)

Photo details

Photo ID: #6936660
Date taken: 6 August 2021
Location: —
Photographer: Creative Touch Imaging Ltd/NurPhoto
Category: Human Interest

Related keywords

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