"gods and goddesses"

#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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#12769684

18 September 2025

Nepali Hindu devotees bring the idol of Lord Bishwokarma, the god of architecture, to immerse in the river on the outskirts of Kathmandu, Nepal, on September 18, 2025. Bishwokarma is also the official builder of all god palaces. According to Hindu mythologies, he designs all the flying chariots of the gods and goddesses and also designs and makes weapons for them. In the Mahabharata, the world's biggest epic, he is described as ''The lord of the arts, executor of a thousand handicrafts, the carpenter of gods, most eminent of artisans, the fashioner of all ornaments and a great and immortal god.'' Like in Nepal, the ritual is also performed in India.

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#12769685

18 September 2025

A statue of the Nepali Hindu god Bishwokarma is loaded into a vehicle as it is prepared to be immersed in the river on the outskirts of Kathmandu, Nepal, on September 18, 2025. Bishwokarma is also the official builder of all the gods' palaces. According to Hindu mythologies, he designs all the flying chariots of the gods and goddesses and also designs and makes weapons for them. In the Mahabharata, the world's biggest epic, he is described as ''The lord of the arts, executor of a thousand handicrafts, the carpenter of gods, most eminent of artisans, the fashioner of all ornaments and a great and immortal god.'' Like in Nepal, the ritual is also performed in India.

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#12769686

18 September 2025

Nepali Hindu devotees dance to the beats as they prepare to immerse the idol of Lord Bishwokarma, the god of architecture, in the river on the outskirts of Kathmandu, Nepal, on September 18, 2025. Bishwokarma is also the official builder of all god palaces. According to Hindu mythologies, he designs all the flying chariots of the gods and goddesses and also designs and makes weapons for them. In the Mahabharata, the world's biggest epic, he is described as ''The lord of the arts, executor of a thousand handicrafts, the carpenter of gods, most eminent of artisans, the fashioner of all ornaments and a great and immortal god.'' Similar to Nepal, the ritual is also performed in India.

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#12769687

18 September 2025

Nepali Hindu devotees dance to the beats as they prepare to immerse the idol of Lord Bishwokarma, the god of architecture, in the river on the outskirts of Kathmandu, Nepal, on September 18, 2025. Bishwokarma is also the official builder of all god palaces. According to Hindu mythologies, he designs all the flying chariots of the gods and goddesses and also designs and makes weapons for them. In the Mahabharata, the world's biggest epic, he is described as ''The lord of the arts, executor of a thousand handicrafts, the carpenter of gods, most eminent of artisans, the fashioner of all ornaments and a great and immortal god.'' Similar to Nepal, the ritual is also performed in India.

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#12769688

18 September 2025

A statue of the Nepali Hindu god Bishwokarma is loaded into a vehicle as it is prepared to be immersed in the river on the outskirts of Kathmandu, Nepal, on September 18, 2025. Bishwokarma is also the official builder of all the gods' palaces. According to Hindu mythologies, he designs all the flying chariots of the gods and goddesses and also designs and makes weapons for them. In the Mahabharata, the world's biggest epic, he is described as ''The lord of the arts, executor of a thousand handicrafts, the carpenter of gods, most eminent of artisans, the fashioner of all ornaments and a great and immortal god.'' Like in Nepal, the ritual is also performed in India.

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#12769689

18 September 2025

Nepali Hindu devotees dance to the beats as they prepare to immerse the idol of Lord Bishwokarma, the god of architecture, in the river on the outskirts of Kathmandu, Nepal, on September 18, 2025. Bishwokarma is also the official builder of all god palaces. According to Hindu mythologies, he designs all the flying chariots of the gods and goddesses and also designs and makes weapons for them. In the Mahabharata, the world's biggest epic, he is described as ''The lord of the arts, executor of a thousand handicrafts, the carpenter of gods, most eminent of artisans, the fashioner of all ornaments and a great and immortal god.'' Similar to Nepal, the ritual is also performed in India.

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#12769691

18 September 2025

Nepali Hindu devotees take selfies with the idol of Lord Bishwokarma, the god of architecture, before they immerse it in the river on the outskirts of Kathmandu, Nepal, on September 18, 2025. Bishwokarma is also the official builder of all god palaces. According to Hindu mythologies, he designs all the flying chariots of the gods and goddesses and also designs and makes weapons for them. In the Mahabharata, the world's biggest epic, he is described as ''The lord of the arts, executor of a thousand handicrafts, the carpenter of gods, most eminent of artisans, the fashioner of all ornaments and a great and immortal god.'' Like in Nepal, the ritual is also performed in India.

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#12769693

18 September 2025

A Nepali Hindu devotee is smeared with vermillion powder as they take the idol of Lord Bishwokarma, the god of architecture, to immerse in the river on the outskirts of Kathmandu, Nepal, on September 18, 2025. Bishwokarma is also the official builder of all god palaces. According to Hindu mythologies, he designs all the flying chariots of the gods and goddesses and also designs and makes weapons for them. In the Mahabharata, the world's biggest epic, he is described as ''The lord of the arts, executor of a thousand handicrafts, the carpenter of gods, most eminent of artisans, the fashioner of all ornaments and a great and immortal god.'' Like in Nepal, the ritual is also performed in India.

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#12769695

18 September 2025

Nepali Hindu devotees immerse the idol of Lord Bishwokarma, the god of architecture, in the river on the outskirts of Kathmandu, Nepal, on September 18, 2025. Bishwokarma is also the official builder of all god palaces. According to Hindu mythologies, he designs all the flying chariots of the gods and goddesses and also designs and makes weapons for them. In the Mahabharata, the world's biggest epic, he is described as ''The lord of the arts, executor of a thousand handicrafts, the carpenter of gods, most eminent of artisans, the fashioner of all ornaments and a great and immortal god.'' Similar to Nepal, the ritual is also performed in India.

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#12769697

18 September 2025

A Nepali Hindu devotee is smeared with vermillion powder as they take the idol of Lord Bishwokarma, the god of architecture, to immerse in the river on the outskirts of Kathmandu, Nepal, on September 18, 2025. Bishwokarma is also the official builder of all god palaces. According to Hindu mythologies, he designs all the flying chariots of the gods and goddesses and also designs and makes weapons for them. In the Mahabharata, the world's biggest epic, he is described as ''The lord of the arts, executor of a thousand handicrafts, the carpenter of gods, most eminent of artisans, the fashioner of all ornaments and a great and immortal god.'' Like in Nepal, the ritual is also performed in India.

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#12769699

18 September 2025

Nepali Hindu devotees immerse the idol of Lord Bishwokarma, the god of architecture, in the river on the outskirts of Kathmandu, Nepal, on September 18, 2025. Bishwokarma is also the official builder of all god palaces. According to Hindu mythologies, he designs all the flying chariots of the gods and goddesses and also designs and makes weapons for them. In the Mahabharata, the world's biggest epic, he is described as ''The lord of the arts, executor of a thousand handicrafts, the carpenter of gods, most eminent of artisans, the fashioner of all ornaments and a great and immortal god.'' Similar to Nepal, the ritual is also performed in India.

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#12769701

18 September 2025

Nepali Hindu devotees immerse the idol of Lord Bishwokarma, the god of architecture, in the river on the outskirts of Kathmandu, Nepal, on September 18, 2025. Bishwokarma is also the official builder of all god palaces. According to Hindu mythologies, he designs all the flying chariots of the gods and goddesses and also designs and makes weapons for them. In the Mahabharata, the world's biggest epic, he is described as ''The lord of the arts, executor of a thousand handicrafts, the carpenter of gods, most eminent of artisans, the fashioner of all ornaments and a great and immortal god.'' Similar to Nepal, the ritual is also performed in India.

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#12769703

18 September 2025

Nepali Hindu devotees perform rituals before immersing the idol of Lord Bishwokarma, the god of architecture, in the river on the outskirts of Kathmandu, Nepal, on September 18, 2025. Bishwokarma is also the official builder of all god palaces. According to Hindu mythologies, he designs all the flying chariots of the gods and goddesses and also designs and makes weapons for them. In the Mahabharata, the world's biggest epic, he is described as ''The lord of the arts, executor of a thousand handicrafts, the carpenter of gods, most eminent of artisans, the fashioner of all ornaments and a great and immortal god.'' Similar to Nepal, the ritual is also performed in India.

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#12769705

18 September 2025

Nepali Hindu devotees perform rituals before immersing the idol of Lord Bishwokarma, the god of architecture, in the river on the outskirts of Kathmandu, Nepal, on September 18, 2025. Bishwokarma is also the official builder of all god palaces. According to Hindu mythologies, he designs all the flying chariots of the gods and goddesses and also designs and makes weapons for them. In the Mahabharata, the world's biggest epic, he is described as ''The lord of the arts, executor of a thousand handicrafts, the carpenter of gods, most eminent of artisans, the fashioner of all ornaments and a great and immortal god.'' Similar to Nepal, the ritual is also performed in India.

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