"Colorful Masks"

#12801682

27 September 2025

Deities in human form are escorted up the hill to the Shikali temple premises for the commencement of the ceremony in Khokana, Nepal, 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 five 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. 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 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 the town from misfortunes and prevents calamities. It is also 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.

Restricted to Editorial Use Only.
Commercial use is not permitted without prior authorization.
Please contact us for more information.

#12801683

27 September 2025

Deities in human form put on ritual attire before performing in the annual Shikali Jatra in Khokana, Nepal, 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. This 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 five 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. 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 dances. It is believed that the goddess protects the town from misfortunes and prevents calamities. It is also 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.

Restricted to Editorial Use Only.
Commercial use is not permitted without prior authorization.
Please contact us for more information.

#12801684

27 September 2025

A priest attends the annual Shikali Jatra in Khokana, Lalitpur, Nepal, 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. This 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 five 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. 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 attires, 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 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.

Restricted to Editorial Use Only.
Commercial use is not permitted without prior authorization.
Please contact us for more information.

#12801685

27 September 2025

A priest attends the annual Shikali Jatra in Khokana, Lalitpur, Nepal, 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. This 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 five 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. 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 attires, 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 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.

Restricted to Editorial Use Only.
Commercial use is not permitted without prior authorization.
Please contact us for more information.

#12801687

27 September 2025

Priests attend the annual Shikali Jatra of Khokana in Lalitpur, Nepal, 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. Khokana, a medieval Newari heritage village in the Southern Kathmandu Valley, observes Shikali Jatra for five 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. 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 attires, 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.

Restricted to Editorial Use Only.
Commercial use is not permitted without prior authorization.
Please contact us for more information.

#12780252

21 September 2025

Children fly kites in the sky ahead of the Dashain festival in Kathmandu, Nepal, on September 21, 2025. Dashain, the country's most significant Hindu festival, marks the victory of good over evil and brings families together, while kite flying becomes a seasonal tradition symbolizing joy and the start of festivities.

Restricted to Editorial Use Only.
Commercial use is not permitted without prior authorization.
Please contact us for more information.

#12780253

21 September 2025

Children fly kites in the sky ahead of the Dashain festival in Kathmandu, Nepal, on September 21, 2025. Dashain, the country's most significant Hindu festival, marks the victory of good over evil and brings families together, while kite flying becomes a seasonal tradition symbolizing joy and the start of festivities.

Restricted to Editorial Use Only.
Commercial use is not permitted without prior authorization.
Please contact us for more information.

#12780255

21 September 2025

Children fly kites in the sky ahead of the Dashain festival in Kathmandu, Nepal, on September 21, 2025. Dashain, the country's most significant Hindu festival, marks the victory of good over evil and brings families together, while kite flying becomes a seasonal tradition symbolizing joy and the start of festivities.

Restricted to Editorial Use Only.
Commercial use is not permitted without prior authorization.
Please contact us for more information.

#12722877

6 September 2025

Masked dancers perform during the celebration of the Indra Jatra festival in Kathmandu, Nepal, on September 6, 2025. Indra Jatra, a festival dedicated to the lord of rain according to Hindu beliefs, is marked in Nepal with fervor and gaiety.

Restricted to Editorial Use Only.
Commercial use is not permitted without prior authorization.
Please contact us for more information.

#12722878

6 September 2025

Masked dancers perform during the celebration of the Indra Jatra festival in Kathmandu, Nepal, on September 6, 2025. Indra Jatra, a festival dedicated to the lord of rain according to Hindu beliefs, is marked in Nepal with fervor and gaiety.

Restricted to Editorial Use Only.
Commercial use is not permitted without prior authorization.
Please contact us for more information.

#12722879

6 September 2025

Masked dancers perform during the celebration of the Indra Jatra festival in Kathmandu, Nepal, on September 6, 2025. Indra Jatra, a festival dedicated to the lord of rain according to Hindu beliefs, is marked in Nepal with fervor and gaiety.

Restricted to Editorial Use Only.
Commercial use is not permitted without prior authorization.
Please contact us for more information.

#12722880

6 September 2025

Masked dancers perform during the celebration of the Indra Jatra festival in Kathmandu, Nepal, on September 6, 2025. Indra Jatra, a festival dedicated to the lord of rain according to Hindu beliefs, is marked in Nepal with fervor and gaiety.

Restricted to Editorial Use Only.
Commercial use is not permitted without prior authorization.
Please contact us for more information.

#12722884

6 September 2025

Masked dancers perform during the celebration of the Indra Jatra festival in Kathmandu, Nepal, on September 6, 2025. Indra Jatra, a festival dedicated to the lord of rain according to Hindu beliefs, is marked in Nepal with fervor and gaiety.

Restricted to Editorial Use Only.
Commercial use is not permitted without prior authorization.
Please contact us for more information.

#12722889

6 September 2025

Masked dancers perform during the celebration of the Indra Jatra festival in Kathmandu, Nepal, on September 6, 2025. Indra Jatra, a festival dedicated to the lord of rain according to Hindu beliefs, is marked in Nepal with fervor and gaiety.

Restricted to Editorial Use Only.
Commercial use is not permitted without prior authorization.
Please contact us for more information.

#12722892

6 September 2025

Masked dancers perform during the celebration of the Indra Jatra festival in Kathmandu, Nepal, on September 6, 2025. Indra Jatra, a festival dedicated to the lord of rain according to Hindu beliefs, is marked in Nepal with fervor and gaiety.

Restricted to Editorial Use Only.
Commercial use is not permitted without prior authorization.
Please contact us for more information.

#12722896

6 September 2025

Masked dancers perform during the celebration of the Indra Jatra festival in Kathmandu, Nepal, on September 6, 2025. Indra Jatra, a festival dedicated to the lord of rain according to Hindu beliefs, is marked in Nepal with fervor and gaiety.

Restricted to Editorial Use Only.
Commercial use is not permitted without prior authorization.
Please contact us for more information.