"goddess Shikali"

#12801691

27 September 2025

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.

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#12801692

27 September 2025

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.

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#12801693

27 September 2025

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.

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#12801694

27 September 2025

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.

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#12801676

27 September 2025

Religious volunteers carry necessary items and march towards the Sikali Jatra venue in Khokana of 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. 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 the dance. 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.

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#11651019

9 October 2024

A masked dancer, considered to be the human form of Hindu gods, performs during the Shikali Festival celebration in Khokana, Lalitpur, on October 8, 2024. During this five-day event, masked dancers representing various Hindu deities perform spirited dances around the Shikali temple, honoring the goddess known as ''Shikali,'' ''Ajima,'' or Mother Goddess.

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#11651020

9 October 2024

A priest manages his dress as he prepares for the Shikali festival celebration in Khokana, Lalitpur, Nepal, on October 8, 2024. During this five-day event, masked dancers representing various Hindu deities perform spirited dances around the Shikali temple, honoring the goddess known as ''Shikali,'' ''Ajima,'' or Mother Goddess.

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#11651021

9 October 2024

A priest manages his dress as he prepares for the Shikali festival celebration in Khokana, Lalitpur, Nepal, on October 8, 2024. During this five-day event, masked dancers representing various Hindu deities perform spirited dances around the Shikali temple, honoring the goddess known as ''Shikali,'' ''Ajima,'' or Mother Goddess.

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#11651022

9 October 2024

A priest rests in a public rest-house ahead of the Shikali festival celebration in Khokana, Lalitpur, Nepal, on October 8, 2024. During this five-day event, masked dancers representing various Hindu deities perform spirited dances around the Shikali temple, honoring the goddess known as ''Shikali,'' ''Ajima,'' or Mother Goddess.

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#11651023

9 October 2024

A priest manages his dress as he prepares for the Shikali festival celebration in Khokana, Lalitpur, Nepal, on October 8, 2024. During this five-day event, masked dancers representing various Hindu deities perform spirited dances around the Shikali temple, honoring the goddess known as ''Shikali,'' ''Ajima,'' or Mother Goddess.

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#11651024

9 October 2024

Priests rest in a public rest-house ahead of the Shikali festival celebration in Khokana, Lalitpur, Nepal, on October 8, 2024. During this five-day event, masked dancers representing various Hindu deities perform spirited dances around the Shikali temple, honoring the goddess known as ''Shikali,'' ''Ajima,'' or Mother Goddess.

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#11651025

9 October 2024

Priests rest in a public rest-house ahead of the Shikali festival celebration in Khokana, Lalitpur, Nepal, on October 8, 2024. During this five-day event, masked dancers representing various Hindu deities perform spirited dances around the Shikali temple, honoring the goddess known as ''Shikali,'' ''Ajima,'' or Mother Goddess.

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#11651027

9 October 2024

A priest rests in a public rest-house ahead of the Shikali festival celebration in Khokana, Lalitpur, Nepal, on October 8, 2024. During this five-day event, masked dancers representing various Hindu deities perform spirited dances around the Shikali temple, honoring the goddess known as ''Shikali,'' ''Ajima,'' or Mother Goddess.

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#11651028

9 October 2024

Devotees carry ornaments, dresses, and other essentials to be used by the masked dancers ahead of the Shikali festival celebration in Khokana, Lalitpur, on October 8, 2024. During this five-day event, masked dancers representing various Hindu deities perform spirited dances around the Shikali temple, honoring the goddess known as ''Shikali,'' ''Ajima,'' or Mother Goddess.

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#11651029

9 October 2024

A girl stands between the masks of deities at a rest-house in Khokana, where masked dancers prepare for the performance during the Shikali festival celebration in Lalitpur, Nepal, on October 8, 2024. During this five-day event, masked dancers representing various Hindu deities perform spirited dances around the Shikali temple, honoring the goddess known as ''Shikali,'' ''Ajima,'' or Mother Goddess.

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#11651030

9 October 2024

Priests walk down a hill in Khokana, Lalitpur, Nepal, on October 8, 2024. During this five-day event, masked dancers representing various Hindu deities perform spirited dances around the Shikali temple, honoring the goddess known as ''Shikali,'' ''Ajima,'' or Mother Goddess.

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