"Halchowk Akash Bhairab"

#12723068

6 September 2025

The deity HALCHOWK AKASH BHAIRAB, revered as the god of protection and warfare, parades through Kathmandu Durbar Square during the opening day of the chariot procession of the Indra Jatra festival in Kathmandu, Nepal, on September 6, 2025. Akash Bhairab from Halchowk is one of the principal deities venerated during the eight-day celebration, which honors Indra, the Hindu god of rain.

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#12723065

6 September 2025

The Living God Ganesh, revered as the remover of obstacles, is carried during the opening day of the chariot procession of the Indra Jatra festival at Kathmandu Durbar Square in Kathmandu, Nepal, on September 6, 2025. The chariots of Kumari, Ganesh, and Bhairab are central highlights of the celebration. The eight-day celebration honors Indra, the Hindu god of rain.

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#12723063

6 September 2025

Nepalese Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli joins devotees and officials during the opening day of the chariot procession of the Indra Jatra festival at Kathmandu Durbar Square in Kathmandu, Nepal, on September 6, 2025. The eight-day celebration honors Indra, the Hindu god of rain.

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#12723064

6 September 2025

Nepalese President Ram Chandra Poudel (center-right) and Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balendra Shah (center-left) take part in the opening day of the chariot procession of the Indra Jatra festival at Kathmandu Durbar Square in Kathmandu, Nepal, on September 6, 2025. The eight-day celebration honors Indra, the Hindu god of rain.

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#12723066

6 September 2025

The MAJIPA LAKHEY, a guardian demon deity believed to protect children and the city, parades through Kathmandu Durbar Square during the opening day of the chariot procession of the Indra Jatra festival in Kathmandu, Nepal, on September 6, 2025. The Lakhey dance remains one of the festival's cultural highlights. The eight-day celebration honors Indra, the Hindu god of rain.

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#12723067

6 September 2025

The MAJIPA LAKHEY, a guardian demon deity believed to protect children and the city, parades through Kathmandu Durbar Square during the opening day of the chariot procession of the Indra Jatra festival in Kathmandu, Nepal, on September 6, 2025. The Lakhey dance remains one of the festival's cultural highlights. The eight-day celebration honors Indra, the Hindu god of rain.

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#12723069

6 September 2025

The Living Goddess Kumari, regarded as the embodiment of divine female power, is carried before being seated in her chariot during the opening day of the chariot procession of the Indra Jatra festival at Kathmandu Durbar Square in Kathmandu, Nepal, on September 6, 2025. The Kumari, who rarely appears in public, is venerated as the city's protector. The eight-day celebration honors Indra, the Hindu god of rain.

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#12723070

6 September 2025

The Living Goddess Kumari, regarded as the embodiment of divine female power, is carried before being seated in her chariot during the opening day of the chariot procession of the Indra Jatra festival at Kathmandu Durbar Square in Kathmandu, Nepal, on September 6, 2025. The Kumari, who rarely appears in public, is venerated as the city's protector. The eight-day celebration honors Indra, the Hindu god of rain.

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#12723071

6 September 2025

The Living Goddess Kumari observes the Majipa Lakhey dance from her chariot during the opening day of the chariot procession of the Indra Jatra festival at Kathmandu Durbar Square in Kathmandu, Nepal, on September 6, 2025. The encounter of the child goddess and the guardian demon is a symbolic highlight of the event. The eight-day celebration honors Indra, the Hindu god of rain.

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#12723073

6 September 2025

Nepalese President Ram Chandra Poudel, along with other government officials, offers coins in prayer to the Kumari chariot during the opening day of the chariot procession of the Indra Jatra festival at Kathmandu Durbar Square in Kathmandu, Nepal, on September 6, 2025. The eight-day celebration honors Indra, the Hindu god of rain.

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#12723074

6 September 2025

Thousands of devotees gather at Kathmandu Durbar Square during the opening day of the chariot procession of the Indra Jatra festival in Kathmandu, Nepal, on September 6, 2025. The eight-day festival features masked dances, deity processions, and traditional chariot parades. The eight-day celebration honors Indra, the Hindu god of rain.

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#12723075

6 September 2025

Thousands of devotees gather at Kathmandu Durbar Square during the opening day of the chariot procession of the Indra Jatra festival in Kathmandu, Nepal, on September 6, 2025. The eight-day festival features masked dances, deity processions, and traditional chariot parades. The eight-day celebration honors Indra, the Hindu god of rain.

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#12723076

6 September 2025

Nepalese Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli (second from left) waves to the crowd as Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balendra Shah (second from right) greets with a namaste during the opening day of the chariot procession of the Indra Jatra festival at Kathmandu Durbar Square in Kathmandu, Nepal, on September 6, 2025. The chariot parades form the centerpiece of the centuries-old Newar festival. The eight-day celebration honors Indra, the Hindu god of rain.

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#12723072

6 September 2025

The Living Goddess Kumari, regarded as the embodiment of divine female power, sits in her chariot during the opening day of the chariot procession of the Indra Jatra festival at Kathmandu Durbar Square in Kathmandu, Nepal, on September 6, 2025. The Kumari, who rarely appears in public, is venerated as the city's protector. The eight-day celebration honors Indra, the Hindu god of rain.

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#12713945

4 September 2025

Soldiers of the Nepal Army pay homage and circumambulate the ceremonial pole, Yonshi or Indra Dhwaj, while playing the trumpet on the first day of the eight-day Indra Jatra festival in Kathmandu, Nepal, on September 4, 2025. The festival begins with the raising of the Yonshi at Hanuman Dhoka and honors Indra, the King of Heaven and Lord of Rains. The Yonshi is ceremonially cut from the Bhaktapur forest for the ritual. Indra Jatra features mask dances such as Dee Pyakhan, Majipa Lakhey, Halchowk Akash Bhairab, Pulukishi, Mahakali Pyakhan, singing, and other ritual performances, and is primarily observed by the Newar community following both Hindu and Buddhist traditions.

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#12713946

4 September 2025

A Nepal Army soldier pays homage and circumambulates the ceremonial pole, Yonshi or Indra Dhwaj, while playing the trumpet on the first day of the eight-day Indra Jatra festival in Kathmandu, Nepal, on September 4, 2025. The festival begins with the raising of the Yonshi at Hanuman Dhoka and honors Indra, the King of Heaven and Lord of Rains. The Yonshi is ceremonially cut from the Bhaktapur forest for the ritual. Indra Jatra features mask dances such as Dee Pyakhan, Majipa Lakhey, Halchowk Akash Bhairab, Pulukishi, Mahakali Pyakhan, singing, and other ritual performances, and is primarily observed by the Newar community following both Hindu and Buddhist traditions.

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