"Commencement Protest"

#12801678

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.

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#12801681

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.

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#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.

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#12405367

25 May 2025

A statue of the 1st U.S. President George Washington is seen while George Washington University's main campus in Washington, D.C., is fenced off on May 23, 2025. Last year, University Yard is the site of a large student protest against the war in Gaza.

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#12405368

25 May 2025

A statue of the 1st U.S. President George Washington is seen while George Washington University's main campus in Washington, D.C., is fenced off on May 23, 2025. Last year, University Yard is the site of a large student protest against the war in Gaza.

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#12405369

25 May 2025

A statue of the 1st U.S. President George Washington is seen while George Washington University's main campus in Washington, D.C., is fenced off on May 23, 2025. Last year, University Yard is the site of a large student protest against the war in Gaza.

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#12405370

25 May 2025

A statue of the 1st U.S. President George Washington is seen while George Washington University's main campus in Washington, D.C., is fenced off on May 23, 2025. Last year, University Yard is the site of a large student protest against the war in Gaza.

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#12405371

25 May 2025

The George Washington University main campus is fenced off in Washington, D.C., USA, on May 23, 2025. Last year, University Yard is the site of a large student protest against the war in Gaza.

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#12405372

25 May 2025

The George Washington University main campus is fenced off in Washington, D.C., USA, on May 23, 2025. Last year, University Yard is the site of a large student protest against the war in Gaza.

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#12405373

25 May 2025

The George Washington University main campus is fenced off in Washington, D.C., USA, on May 23, 2025. Last year, University Yard is the site of a large student protest against the war in Gaza.

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#12405374

25 May 2025

The George Washington University main campus is fenced off in Washington, D.C., USA, on May 23, 2025. Last year, University Yard is the site of a large student protest against the war in Gaza.

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#12405375

25 May 2025

The George Washington University main campus is fenced off in Washington, D.C., USA, on May 23, 2025. Last year, University Yard is the site of a large student protest against the war in Gaza.

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#12405376

25 May 2025

A statue of the 1st U.S. President George Washington is seen while George Washington University's main campus in Washington, D.C., is fenced off on May 23, 2025. Last year, University Yard is the site of a large student protest against the war in Gaza.

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#12405377

25 May 2025

A statue of the 1st U.S. President George Washington is seen while George Washington University's main campus in Washington, D.C., is fenced off on May 23, 2025. Last year, University Yard is the site of a large student protest against the war in Gaza.

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#12405378

25 May 2025

A statue of the 1st U.S. President George Washington is seen while George Washington University's main campus in Washington, D.C., is fenced off on May 23, 2025. Last year, University Yard is the site of a large student protest against the war in Gaza.

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#12405379

25 May 2025

A statue of the 1st U.S. President George Washington is seen while George Washington University's main campus in Washington, D.C., is fenced off on May 23, 2025. Last year, University Yard is the site of a large student protest against the war in Gaza.

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