"HIRANYAKASHYAPU"

#12945859

4 November 2025

Performers dressed as Daitya Gaan, followers of Hiranyakashyapu, perform during the eighth day of the Kartik Naach at Kartik Dabali, Patan Durbar Square, in Patan, Nepal, on November 3, which extends into November 4. The drama depicts Hiranyakashyapu’s tyranny after he receives Brahma’s boon that he cannot be killed by man or animal, during day or night, on earth or in heaven, or by any weapon. The Daitya Gaan enact arrogance, chaos, and the rebellion of demons, creating tension that sets the stage for Narsingh’s arrival to rescue Prahlad and restore dharma.

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

#12945860

4 November 2025

PRAHLAD, the son of HIRANYAKASHYAPU, performs during the eighth day of the Kartik Naach at Kartik Dabali, Patan Durbar Square, in Patan, Nepal, on November 3, which extends into November 4. The drama retells the legend in which HIRANYAKASHYAPU becomes a tyrant after receiving Brahma’s boon. Despite his father’s attempts to kill him, PRAHLAD grows up as a devout follower of Lord Vishnu. His performance depicts unwavering faith and moral courage, highlighting the triumph of devotion against tyranny before NARSINGH intervenes.

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

#12945868

4 November 2025

NARSINGH performs a ritual dance during the eighth day of the Kartik Naach at Kartik Dabali, Patan Durbar Square, in Patan, Nepal, on November 3, which extends into November 4. Lord Vishnu appears in half-man, half-lion form to protect PRAHLAD and destroy HIRANYAKASHYAPU without violating Brahma’s boon. The movements symbolize divine power, cosmic justice, and the triumph of good over evil, forming the climax of the ten-day traditional dance-drama.

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

#12945870

4 November 2025

NARSINGH performs a ritual dance during the eighth day of the Kartik Naach at Kartik Dabali, Patan Durbar Square, in Patan, Nepal, on November 3, which extends into November 4. Lord Vishnu appears in half-man, half-lion form to protect PRAHLAD and destroy HIRANYAKASHYAPU without violating Brahma’s boon. The movements symbolize divine power, cosmic justice, and the triumph of good over evil, forming the climax of the ten-day traditional dance-drama.

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

#12945873

4 November 2025

NARSINGH performs a ritual dance during the eighth day of the Kartik Naach at Kartik Dabali, Patan Durbar Square, in Patan, Nepal, on November 3, which extends into November 4. Lord Vishnu appears in half-man, half-lion form to protect PRAHLAD and destroy HIRANYAKASHYAPU without violating Brahma’s boon. The movements symbolize divine power, cosmic justice, and the triumph of good over evil, forming the climax of the ten-day traditional dance-drama.

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

#12945895

4 November 2025

Musicians perform during the eighth day of the Kartik Naach at Kartik Dabali, Patan Durbar Square, in Patan, Nepal, on November 3, which extends into November 4. The drama retells the legend in which, after the loss of his brother Hiranyaksha, Hiranyakashyapu vows revenge on Lord Vishnu. Empowered by a boon from Brahma that he cannot be killed by man or animal, during day or night, on earth or in heaven, or by any weapon, he becomes a tyrant and forbids the worship of Vishnu. Bishnu Gaan's synchronized movements and chants symbolize divine presence and protection, celebrating the faithful Prahlad before Narsingh emerges, highlighting the triumph of good over evil.

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

#12945899

4 November 2025

Performers dressed as BISHNU GAAN (celestial attendants of Lord Vishnu) perform during the eighth day of the Kartik Naach at Kartik Dabali, Patan Durbar Square, in Patan, Nepal, on November 3, which extends into November 4. The drama retells the legend in which, after the loss of his brother HIRANYAKSHA, HIRANYAKASHYAPU vows revenge on Lord Vishnu. Empowered by a boon from Brahma that he cannot be killed by man or animal, during day or night, on earth or in heaven, or by any weapon, he becomes a tyrant and forbids the worship of Vishnu. BISHNU GAAN’s synchronized movements and chants symbolize divine presence and protection, celebrating the faithful PRAHLAD before NARSINGH emerges, highlighting the triumph of good over evil.

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

#12945905

4 November 2025

The gurus of Hiranyakashyapu teach hymns to Prahlad during the eighth day of the Kartik Naach at Kartik Dabali, Patan Durbar Square, in Patan, Nepal, on November 3, which extends into November 4. Despite their instruction, Prahlad refuses to obey because of his devotion to Lord Vishnu. This performance emphasizes the conflict between worldly authority and divine devotion, and Prahlad's unwavering faith before Narsingh arrives.

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

#12945907

4 November 2025

PRAHLAD, the son of HIRANYAKASHYAPU, is tied to a pillar during the eighth day of the Kartik Naach at Kartik Dabali, Patan Durbar Square, in Patan, Nepal, on November 3, which extends into November 4. This scene depicts his punishment for worshipping Vishnu against his father’s command. Moments later, NARSINGH emerges from the pillar at twilight to rescue him and slay HIRANYAKASHYAPU, symbolizing the victory of dharma.

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

#12945916

4 November 2025

NARSINGH performs a ritual dance during the eighth day of the Kartik Naach at Kartik Dabali, Patan Durbar Square, in Patan, Nepal, on November 3, which extends into November 4. Lord Vishnu appears in half-man, half-lion form to protect PRAHLAD and destroy HIRANYAKASHYAPU without violating Brahma’s boon. The movements symbolize divine power, cosmic justice, and the triumph of good over evil, forming the climax of the ten-day traditional dance-drama.

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

#12945922

4 November 2025

NARSINGH touches and kills HIRANYAKASHYAPU during the eighth day of the Kartik Naach at Kartik Dabali, Patan Durbar Square, in Patan, Nepal, on November 3, which extends into November 4. Lord Vishnu, in his half-man, half-lion form, emerges from the pillar at twilight to protect his devotee PRAHLAD. Using his divine strength and claws, NARSINGH strikes down the tyrant king, fulfilling Brahma’s boon while restoring dharma. The scene symbolizes the triumph of good over evil and forms the climax of the ten-day traditional dance-drama dating back to the 17th-century Malla period.

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

#12945923

4 November 2025

An APSARA performs a calming dance after the death of HIRANYAKASHYAPU during the eighth day of the Kartik Naach at Kartik Dabali, Patan Durbar Square, in Patan, Nepal, on November 3, which extends into November 4. Her movements symbolize the pacification of NARSINGH’s rage and the restoration of peace and harmony, marking the conclusion of the rescue of PRAHLAD and the triumph of dharma.

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

#12945862

4 November 2025

The golden window of Patan Durbar opens during the eighth day of the Kartik Naach at Patan Durbar Square in Patan, Nepal, on November 3, 2023, extending into November 4, 2023. This sacred window opens only twice a year and allows the king and courtiers to witness the divine drama. The performance below depicts Hiranyakashipu’s tyranny, Prahlad’s devotion, and Narsingh’s intervention, symbolizing royal and divine recognition of dharma and cosmic order.

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

#11095050

24 March 2024

Children are setting off colored smoke while celebrating Holi, the festival of colors, at Kathmandu Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Kathmandu, Nepal, on March 24, 2024. Thousands of locals and tourists have gathered on Sunday at the ancient palace courtyard to mark the festival with fervor and gaiety. The festival, also known as the Spring festival, signifies the arrival of spring and the harvest season. Celebrated for two days in the Hills and Terai, people are coming out of their homes to smear colors on each other's faces and exchange greetings. According to Hindu mythology, demon king Hiranyakashyapu, who was unhappy with his son Prahlad's devotion to the god Vishnu, ordered his sister Holika to kill Prahlad. Following her brother's instructions, Holika, who had a boon that fire would not harm her, sat in the fire with Prahlad on her lap but was burnt to death, while Prahlad remained unharmed due to the blessing of god Vishnu. Since then, the festival, also known as Holi, is celebrated by joyfully smearing color. It is also said that Lord Vishnu had told Holika that the boon she had received would be meaningless if it was misused.

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

#11095051

24 March 2024

A Nepali reveler is painting his cheek with wishes for Holi, the festival of colors, in Kathmandu Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Kathmandu, Nepal, on March 24, 2024. Thousands of locals and tourists are gathering at the ancient palace courtyard to mark the festival with fervor and gaiety. The festival, also known as the Spring festival, is celebrating the arrival of spring and the harvest season. Celebrated for two days in the Hills and Terai, people are coming out of their homes, smearing colors on each other's faces, and exchanging greetings. According to a Hindu myth, the demon king Hiranyakashyapu, who was unhappy with his son Prahlad for his wholehearted devotion to the God Vishnu, ordered his sister Holika to kill Prahlad. Following her brother's instruction, Holika, who had a boon from the god that fire would not harm her, sat on fire with Prahlad on her lap but was burnt to death while Prahlad remained unhurt due to the blessing of God Vishnu. From then onwards, the festival, also known as Holi, is celebrated by smearing color with enjoyment. There is also a saying that Lord Vishnu had told Holika that the boon she had received would be meaningless if it was misused.

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

#11095052

24 March 2024

A foreign national is dancing to the beats of traditional Nepali musical instruments as she participates in celebrating Holi, the festival of colors, in Kathmandu Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Kathmandu, Nepal, on March 24, 2024. Thousands of locals and tourists have gathered at the ancient palace courtyard on Sunday to mark the festival with fervor and gaiety. The festival, also known as the Spring festival, signifies the arrival of spring and the harvest season. Celebrated for two days in the Hills and Terai, people are coming out of their homes, smearing colors on each other's faces, and exchanging greetings. According to Hindu mythology, demon king Hiranyakashyapu, who was unhappy with his son Prahlad's devotion to the God Vishnu, ordered his sister Holika to kill Prahlad. Following her brother's instructions, Holika, who had a boon that fire would not harm her, sat on fire with Prahlad on her lap but was burnt to death, while Prahlad remained unharmed due to the blessing of God Vishnu. Since then, the festival also known as Holi is celebrated by joyfully smearing color. It is also said that Lord Vishnu had told Holika that her boon would be meaningless if it was misused.

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