"Tantra"

#12801688

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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#12801689

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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#12801690

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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#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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#12788462

23 September 2025

MOSNOV, CZECH REPUBLIC — SEPTEMBER 21: A Tatra 158-8P5N43 8x8.1R High Mobility Heavy Duty Tractor is displayed during the second day of NATO Days in Ostrava and Czech Air Force Days at Mosnov Airport, Czech Republic, on September 21, 2025. The show, Europe’s largest security and military exhibition held at Leos Janacek Airport, is celebrating its 25th edition with around 17 participating countries.

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#12788464

23 September 2025

MOSNOV, CZECH REPUBLIC — SEPTEMBER 21: An RM-70 multiple rocket launcher mounted on a new Tatra T-815-7 8×8 truck of the Czech Land Forces is displayed during the second day of NATO Days in Ostrava and Czech Air Force Days at Mosnov Airport, Czech Republic, on September 21, 2025. The show, Europe’s largest security and military exhibition held at Leos Janacek Airport, is celebrating its 25th edition with around 17 participating countries.

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#12787104

23 September 2025

MOSNOV, CZECH REPUBLIC — SEPTEMBER 21: The logo of Tatra, a Czech vehicle manufacturer from Kopřivnice, is seen during day two of NATO Days in Ostrava and Czech Air Force Days in Mosnov, Czech Republic, on September 21, 2025. The show, Europe’s largest security and military exhibition held at Leos Janacek Airport, is celebrating its 25th edition with around 17 participating countries.

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#12718199

5 September 2025

A Nepali girl dressed as the Living Goddess Kumari poses for a photo in Kathmandu Durbar Square during the Kumari Pooja held in Kathmandu, Nepal, on September 5, 2025. Pre-pubescent girls dressed as the living goddess Kumari are worshipped every year right before the main day of Indra Jatra in the courtyard of the Kathmandu Durbar Square, which is believed to ward off bad luck and diseases. Girls below the age of 12 years, donned in regalia like the living goddess Kumari, perform rituals to please Taleju Bhawani, the Hindu Goddess. Locally called ''Kumari Pooja,'' Newari girls hold rituals annually in front of the Taleju Bhawani Temple, who is known for her earthly incarnations of divine feminine energy manifestations. ''Kanyas,'' or girls taking part in this annual procession, are taken to the Taleju Bhawani Temple for worship, one of the Shaktipith of Nepal, which opens its doors only for a day during Dashain. As a part of the ritual, the participating girls are taken around the temple of Taleju Bhawani, a Hindu deity whose face is not displayed to the public and has remained hidden for centuries. The procession of worshipping the girls undergoes three methods: Hinduism, Buddhism, and Tantrism. It is believed that girls taking part in the procession do not have any health problems.

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#12718200

5 September 2025

A Nepali girl dressed as the Living Goddess Kumari poses for a photo in front of the Swet Bhairab statue in Kathmandu Durbar Square during the Kumari Pooja on September 5, 2025. Pre-pubescent girls dressed as the living goddess Kumari are worshipped every year right before the main day of Indra Jatra in the courtyard of the Kathmandu Durbar Square, which is believed to ward off bad luck and diseases. Girls below the age of 12 years, donned in regalia like the living goddess Kumari, perform rituals to please Taleju Bhawani, the Hindu Goddess. Locally called ''Kumari Pooja,'' Newari girls hold rituals annually in front of the Taleju Bhawani Temple, known for her earthly incarnations of divine feminine energy and manifestations. ''Kanyas,'' or girls taking part in this annual procession, are taken to the Taleju Bhawani Temple for worship, one of the Shaktipith of Nepal, which opens its doors only for a day during Dashain. As part of the ritual, the participating girls are taken around the temple of Taleju Bhawani, a Hindu deity whose face is not displayed to the public and has remained hidden for centuries. The procession of worshipping the girls undergoes three methods: Hinduism, Buddhism, and Tantrism. It is believed that girls taking part in the procession do not have any health problems.

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#12718201

5 September 2025

A Nepali girl receives the final touch of make-up as she prepares for the Kumari Pooja at Kathmandu Durbar Square in Kathmandu, Nepal, on September 5, 2025. Pre-pubescent girls dressed as the living goddess Kumari are worshipped every year right before the main day of Indra Jatra in the courtyard of the Kathmandu Durbar Square, which is believed to ward off bad luck and diseases. Girls below the age of 12 years, donned in regalia like the living goddess Kumari, perform rituals to please Taleju Bhawani, the Hindu Goddess. Locally called ''Kumari Pooja,'' Newari girls hold rituals annually in front of the Taleju Bhawani Temple, known for her earthly incarnations of divine feminine energy and manifestations. ''Kanyas,'' or girls taking part in this annual procession, are taken to the Taleju Bhawani Temple for worship, one of the Shaktipith of Nepal, which opens its doors only for a day during Dashain. As part of the ritual, the participating girls are taken around the temple of Taleju Bhawani, a Hindu deity whose face is not displayed to the public and has remained hidden for centuries. The procession of worshipping the girls undergoes three methods: Hinduism, Buddhism, and Tantrism. It is believed that girls taking part in the procession do not have any health problems.

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#12718202

5 September 2025

A Nepali girl dressed as the Living Goddess Kumari poses for a photo in front of the Swet Bhairab statue in Kathmandu Durbar Square during the Kumari Pooja on September 5, 2025. Pre-pubescent girls dressed as the living goddess Kumari are worshipped every year right before the main day of Indra Jatra in the courtyard of the Kathmandu Durbar Square, which is believed to ward off bad luck and diseases. Girls below the age of 12 years, donned in regalia like the living goddess Kumari, perform rituals to please Taleju Bhawani, the Hindu Goddess. Locally called ''Kumari Pooja,'' Newari girls hold rituals annually in front of the Taleju Bhawani Temple, known for her earthly incarnations of divine feminine energy and manifestations. ''Kanyas,'' or girls taking part in this annual procession, are taken to the Taleju Bhawani Temple for worship, one of the Shaktipith of Nepal, which opens its doors only for a day during Dashain. As part of the ritual, the participating girls are taken around the temple of Taleju Bhawani, a Hindu deity whose face is not displayed to the public and has remained hidden for centuries. The procession of worshipping the girls undergoes three methods: Hinduism, Buddhism, and Tantrism. It is believed that girls taking part in the procession do not have any health problems.

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#12718203

5 September 2025

Nepali girls dressed as the Living Goddess Kumari pose for a photo in front of the Swet Bhairab statue in Kathmandu Durbar Square during the Kumari Pooja in Kathmandu, Nepal, on September 5, 2025. Pre-pubescent girls dressed as the living goddess Kumari are worshipped every year right before the main day of Indra Jatra in the courtyard of the Kathmandu Durbar Square, which is believed to ward off bad luck and diseases. Girls below the age of 12 years, donned in regalia like the living goddess Kumari, perform rituals to please Taleju Bhawani, the Hindu Goddess. Locally called ''Kumari Pooja,'' Newari girls hold rituals annually in front of the Taleju Bhawani Temple, known for her earthly incarnations of divine feminine energy and manifestations. ''Kanyas,'' or girls taking part in this annual procession, are taken to the Taleju Bhawani Temple for worship, one of the Shaktipith of Nepal, which opens its doors only for a day during Dashain. As part of the ritual, the participating girls are taken around the temple of Taleju Bhawani, a Hindu deity whose face is not displayed to the public and has remained hidden for centuries. The procession of worshipping the girls undergoes three methods: Hinduism, Buddhism, and Tantrism. It is believed that girls taking part in the procession do not have any health problems.

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#12718204

5 September 2025

A Nepali girl dressed as the Living Goddess Kumari poses for a photo in Kathmandu Durbar Square during the Kumari Pooja held in Kathmandu, Nepal, on September 5, 2025. Pre-pubescent girls dressed as the living goddess Kumari are worshipped every year right before the main day of Indra Jatra in the courtyard of the Kathmandu Durbar Square, which is believed to ward off bad luck and diseases. Girls below the age of 12 years, donned in regalia like the living goddess Kumari, perform rituals to please Taleju Bhawani, the Hindu Goddess. Locally called ''Kumari Pooja,'' Newari girls hold rituals annually in front of the Taleju Bhawani Temple, who is known for her earthly incarnations of divine feminine energy manifestations. ''Kanyas,'' or girls taking part in this annual procession, are taken to the Taleju Bhawani Temple for worship, one of the Shaktipith of Nepal, which opens its doors only for a day during Dashain. As a part of the ritual, the participating girls are taken around the temple of Taleju Bhawani, a Hindu deity whose face is not displayed to the public and has remained hidden for centuries. The procession of worshipping the girls undergoes three methods: Hinduism, Buddhism, and Tantrism. It is believed that girls taking part in the procession do not have any health problems.

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