"Malta order"

#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.

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#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.

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#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.

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#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.

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#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.

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#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.

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#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.

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#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.

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#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.

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#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.

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#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.

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#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.

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#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.

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#12812390

30 September 2025

Trishna Shakya, the retired Royal Kumari of Kathmandu, is carried back to her home in a palanquin amid a ceremony in Kathmandu, Nepal, on September 30, 2025. Nepal has a unique tradition of worshipping the ''Kumari,'' the living goddess, who is appointed at certain intervals following a strict selection process. A young Newar girl with no blemishes is chosen to represent the Goddess Kumari as an incarnation of Goddess Taleju, the tutelary deity of the Malla dynasty and the Shah dynasty, which inherits the tradition. The young candidates from the Shakya caste among the Newars, many as young as four years old, must go through an extremely strict selection process before one of them is chosen to represent the Goddess. She must remain calm and show no signs of fear even when put through scary tests. Once chosen, she lives within the Kumari Ghar (Kumari's House), her feet must never touch the ground, and she leaves her residence only during certain festivals. She remains a Living Goddess until any form of bleeding occurs, which is usually when she reaches puberty. The Living Goddess is worshipped with great reverence, and even the Shah Kings follow the tradition of receiving tika and blessings from her. Dating back to the 17th century, the practice is institutionalized by a Malla king. Legend has it that King Jaya Prakash Malla, under the influence of alcohol while playing a game with the visiting Goddess Taleju in the form of a human, starts lusting after her. This offends the goddess, and she orders the king to make an oath that he will select a virgin girl within whom she will always reside. The tradition continues to this day. The Malla dynasty is ousted by King Prithvi Narayan Shah, but the tradition of revering the Goddess Kumari is continued by the conquerors. Until 2008, the Shah King goes to the Kumari to receive tika on his forehead, which symbolizes the empowering of the monarch.

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#12812391

30 September 2025

Aryatara Shakya, two and a half years old, in red regalia, is carried by her father as she is brought to the Taleju Bhawani Temple in Kathmandu Durbar Square, Nepal, on September 30, 2025, to formally anoint her as the new Royal Kumari, the living goddess of Nepal. Nepal has a unique tradition of worshipping the ''Kumari,'' the living goddess, who is appointed at certain intervals following a strict selection process. A young Newar girl with no blemishes is chosen to represent the Goddess Kumari as an incarnation of Goddess Taleju, the tutelary deity of the Malla dynasty and the Shah dynasty, which inherited the tradition. The young candidates from the Shakya caste among the Newars, many as young as four years old, must go through an extremely strict selection process before one of them is chosen to represent the Goddess. She must remain calm and show no signs of fear even when put through scary tests. Once chosen, she has to live within the Kumari Ghar (Kumari's House), her feet must never touch the ground, and she will leave her residence only during certain festivals. She remains a Living Goddess until any form of bleeding occurs, which is usually when she reaches puberty. The Living Goddess is worshipped with great reverence, and even the Shah Kings follow the tradition of receiving tika and blessings from her. Dating back to the 17th century, the practice is institutionalized by a Malla king. Legend has it that King Jaya Prakash Malla, under the influence of alcohol while playing a game with the visiting Goddess Taleju in the form of a human, starts lusting after her. This offends the goddess, and she orders the king to make an oath that he will select a virgin girl within whom she will always reside. The tradition continues to this day. The Malla dynasty is ousted by King Prithvi Narayan Shah, but the tradition of revering the Goddess Kumari is continued by the conquerors. Until 2008, the Shah King goes to the Kumari to receive tika on his forehead.

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#12812392

30 September 2025

Aryatara Shakya, two and a half years old, in red regalia, is carried by her father as she is brought to the Taleju Bhawani Temple in Kathmandu Durbar Square, Nepal, on September 30, 2025, to formally anoint her as the new Royal Kumari, the living goddess of Nepal. Nepal has a unique tradition of worshipping the ''Kumari,'' the living goddess, who is appointed at certain intervals following a strict selection process. A young Newar girl with no blemishes is chosen to represent the Goddess Kumari as an incarnation of Goddess Taleju, the tutelary deity of the Malla dynasty and the Shah dynasty, which inherited the tradition. The young candidates from the Shakya caste among the Newars, many as young as four years old, must go through an extremely strict selection process before one of them is chosen to represent the Goddess. She must remain calm and show no signs of fear even when put through scary tests. Once chosen, she has to live within the Kumari Ghar (Kumari's House), her feet must never touch the ground, and she will leave her residence only during certain festivals. She remains a Living Goddess until any form of bleeding occurs, which is usually when she reaches puberty. The Living Goddess is worshipped with great reverence, and even the Shah Kings follow the tradition of receiving tika and blessings from her. Dating back to the 17th century, the practice is institutionalized by a Malla king. Legend has it that King Jaya Prakash Malla, under the influence of alcohol while playing a game with the visiting Goddess Taleju in the form of a human, starts lusting after her. This offends the goddess, and she orders the king to make an oath that he will select a virgin girl within whom she will always reside. The tradition continues to this day. The Malla dynasty is ousted by King Prithvi Narayan Shah, but the tradition of revering the Goddess Kumari is continued by the conquerors. Until 2008, the Shah King goes to the Kumari to receive tika on his forehead.

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