"Nepali Hindu devotees stand in queue, waiting for their turn..."

#12816596

1 October 2025

Nepali Hindu devotees stand in queue waiting for their turn to enter the Taleju Bhawani Temple on the day of Maha-Nawami in the premises of Kathmandu Durbar Square in Kathmandu, Nepal, on October 1, 2025. Taleju Bhawani is brought to the main square of Hanuman Dhoka Durbar on Phulpati day (Monday) and is returned to the main temple on the morning of Bijaya Dashami (October 2). Traditionally falling on the ninth day of the waxing moon in the Nepali month of Asoj according to the lunar calendar, Maha Nawami is marked in the month of October this year. Devotees perform special rituals in honor of Goddess Durga, offering jamara--germinated barley seeds sown on the festival's first day--at various temples and shrines. Additional offerings are also made as part of the celebrations. On Maha Ashtami night, a traditional sacrifice of 54 goats and 54 cows takes place at the main square. It is also on this night that the Kalratri Puja is performed using tantric rituals, symbolizing a prayer for power to govern the state.

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#12816598

1 October 2025

Nepali Hindu devotees stand in queue waiting for their turn to enter the Taleju Bhawani Temple on the day of Maha-Nawami in the premises of Kathmandu Durbar Square in Kathmandu, Nepal, on October 1, 2025. Taleju Bhawani is brought to the main square of Hanuman Dhoka Durbar on Phulpati day (Monday) and is returned to the main temple on the morning of Bijaya Dashami (October 2). Traditionally falling on the ninth day of the waxing moon in the Nepali month of Asoj according to the lunar calendar, Maha Nawami is marked in the month of October this year. Devotees perform special rituals in honor of Goddess Durga, offering jamara--germinated barley seeds sown on the festival's first day--at various temples and shrines. Additional offerings are also made as part of the celebrations. On Maha Ashtami night, a traditional sacrifice of 54 goats and 54 cows takes place at the main square. It is also on this night that the Kalratri Puja is performed using tantric rituals, symbolizing a prayer for power to govern the state.

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#12816599

1 October 2025

Nepali Hindu devotees stand in queue waiting for their turn to enter the Taleju Bhawani Temple on the day of Maha-Nawami in the premises of Kathmandu Durbar Square in Kathmandu, Nepal, on October 1, 2025. Taleju Bhawani is brought to the main square of Hanuman Dhoka Durbar on Phulpati day (Monday) and is returned to the main temple on the morning of Bijaya Dashami (October 2). Traditionally falling on the ninth day of the waxing moon in the Nepali month of Asoj according to the lunar calendar, Maha Nawami is marked in the month of October this year. Devotees perform special rituals in honor of Goddess Durga, offering jamara--germinated barley seeds sown on the festival's first day--at various temples and shrines. Additional offerings are also made as part of the celebrations. On Maha Ashtami night, a traditional sacrifice of 54 goats and 54 cows takes place at the main square. It is also on this night that the Kalratri Puja is performed using tantric rituals, symbolizing a prayer for power to govern the state.

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#12816601

1 October 2025

Nepali Hindu devotees stand in queue waiting for their turn to enter the Taleju Bhawani Temple on the day of Maha-Nawami in the premises of Kathmandu Durbar Square in Kathmandu, Nepal, on October 1, 2025. Taleju Bhawani is brought to the main square of Hanuman Dhoka Durbar on Phulpati day (Monday) and is returned to the main temple on the morning of Bijaya Dashami (October 2). Traditionally falling on the ninth day of the waxing moon in the Nepali month of Asoj according to the lunar calendar, Maha Nawami is marked in the month of October this year. Devotees perform special rituals in honor of Goddess Durga, offering jamara--germinated barley seeds sown on the festival's first day--at various temples and shrines. Additional offerings are also made as part of the celebrations. On Maha Ashtami night, a traditional sacrifice of 54 goats and 54 cows takes place at the main square. It is also on this night that the Kalratri Puja is performed using tantric rituals, symbolizing a prayer for power to govern the state.

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#12816604

1 October 2025

Nepali Hindu devotees stand in queue waiting for their turn to enter the Taleju Bhawani Temple on the day of Maha-Nawami in the premises of Kathmandu Durbar Square in Kathmandu, Nepal, on October 1, 2025. Taleju Bhawani is brought to the main square of Hanuman Dhoka Durbar on Phulpati day (Monday) and is returned to the main temple on the morning of Bijaya Dashami (October 2). Traditionally falling on the ninth day of the waxing moon in the Nepali month of Asoj according to the lunar calendar, Maha Nawami is marked in the month of October this year. Devotees perform special rituals in honor of Goddess Durga, offering jamara--germinated barley seeds sown on the festival's first day--at various temples and shrines. Additional offerings are also made as part of the celebrations. On Maha Ashtami night, a traditional sacrifice of 54 goats and 54 cows takes place at the main square. It is also on this night that the Kalratri Puja is performed using tantric rituals, symbolizing a prayer for power to govern the state.

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#12816606

1 October 2025

Nepali Hindu devotees stand in queue waiting for their turn to enter the Taleju Bhawani Temple on the day of Maha-Nawami in the premises of Kathmandu Durbar Square in Kathmandu, Nepal, on October 1, 2025. Taleju Bhawani is brought to the main square of Hanuman Dhoka Durbar on Phulpati day (Monday) and is returned to the main temple on the morning of Bijaya Dashami (October 2). Traditionally falling on the ninth day of the waxing moon in the Nepali month of Asoj according to the lunar calendar, Maha Nawami is marked in the month of October this year. Devotees perform special rituals in honor of Goddess Durga, offering jamara--germinated barley seeds sown on the festival's first day--at various temples and shrines. Additional offerings are also made as part of the celebrations. On Maha Ashtami night, a traditional sacrifice of 54 goats and 54 cows takes place at the main square. It is also on this night that the Kalratri Puja is performed using tantric rituals, symbolizing a prayer for power to govern the state.

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#12816607

1 October 2025

Nepali Hindu devotees stand in queue waiting for their turn to enter the Taleju Bhawani Temple on the day of Maha-Nawami in the premises of Kathmandu Durbar Square in Kathmandu, Nepal, on October 1, 2025. Taleju Bhawani is brought to the main square of Hanuman Dhoka Durbar on Phulpati day (Monday) and is returned to the main temple on the morning of Bijaya Dashami (October 2). Traditionally falling on the ninth day of the waxing moon in the Nepali month of Asoj according to the lunar calendar, Maha Nawami is marked in the month of October this year. Devotees perform special rituals in honor of Goddess Durga, offering jamara--germinated barley seeds sown on the festival's first day--at various temples and shrines. Additional offerings are also made as part of the celebrations. On Maha Ashtami night, a traditional sacrifice of 54 goats and 54 cows takes place at the main square. It is also on this night that the Kalratri Puja is performed using tantric rituals, symbolizing a prayer for power to govern the state.

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#12649116

16 August 2025

Nepali Hindu devotees stand in queue, waiting for their turn to perform rituals at the Krishna Temple in Patan Durbar Square in Lalitpur, Nepal, on August 16, 2025, as the nation marks Krishna Janmastami, the birthday of the Hindu God Lord Krishna. Lord Krishna, regarded as the 8th reincarnated form of Lord Bishnu, is believed to be born at midnight on the eighth day of the dark moon of August, which is also known as Asthami. The 17th Century Krishna Temple, which stands tall among the temples in the World Heritage Site, is thronged by thousands annually on the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna. The Krishna Temple opens after renovation in 2018 as it sustains minor damages due to the devastating earthquake of 2015, which claims the lives of thousands of people and causes massive structural damage to the heritage sites of the Himalayan Nation. Lord Krishna, the dark-skinned god revered as a manifestation of Lord Vishnu, also teaches the warrior Arjuna the value of Karma in the Bhagwad Gita and is born at midnight on the eighth day of the dark moon of August, which is known as Ashtami. Known for his charm and fascinating nature, devotees claim they come to the temple following the footsteps and directives of Lord Krishna.

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#12649117

16 August 2025

Nepali Hindu devotees stand in queue, waiting for their turn to perform rituals at the Krishna Temple in Patan Durbar Square in Lalitpur, Nepal, on August 16, 2025, as the nation marks Krishna Janmastami, the birthday of the Hindu God Lord Krishna. Lord Krishna, regarded as the 8th reincarnated form of Lord Bishnu, is believed to be born at midnight on the eighth day of the dark moon of August, which is also known as Asthami. The 17th Century Krishna Temple, which stands tall among the temples in the World Heritage Site, is thronged by thousands annually on the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna. The Krishna Temple opens after renovation in 2018 as it sustains minor damages due to the devastating earthquake of 2015, which claims the lives of thousands of people and causes massive structural damage to the heritage sites of the Himalayan Nation. Lord Krishna, the dark-skinned god revered as a manifestation of Lord Vishnu, also teaches the warrior Arjuna the value of Karma in the Bhagwad Gita and is born at midnight on the eighth day of the dark moon of August, which is known as Ashtami. Known for his charm and fascinating nature, devotees claim they come to the temple following the footsteps and directives of Lord Krishna.

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#12649119

16 August 2025

Nepali Hindu devotees stand in queue, waiting for their turn to perform rituals at the Krishna Temple in Patan Durbar Square in Lalitpur, Nepal, on August 16, 2025, as the nation marks Krishna Janmastami, the birthday of the Hindu God Lord Krishna. Lord Krishna, regarded as the 8th reincarnated form of Lord Bishnu, is believed to be born at midnight on the eighth day of the dark moon of August, which is also known as Asthami. The 17th Century Krishna Temple, which stands tall among the temples in the World Heritage Site, is thronged by thousands annually on the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna. The Krishna Temple opens after renovation in 2018 as it sustains minor damages due to the devastating earthquake of 2015, which claims the lives of thousands of people and causes massive structural damage to the heritage sites of the Himalayan Nation. Lord Krishna, the dark-skinned god revered as a manifestation of Lord Vishnu, also teaches the warrior Arjuna the value of Karma in the Bhagwad Gita and is born at midnight on the eighth day of the dark moon of August, which is known as Ashtami. Known for his charm and fascinating nature, devotees claim they come to the temple following the footsteps and directives of Lord Krishna.

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#12649125

16 August 2025

Nepali Hindu devotees stand in queue, waiting for their turn to perform rituals at the Krishna Temple in Patan Durbar Square in Lalitpur, Nepal, on August 16, 2025, as the nation marks Krishna Janmastami, the birthday of the Hindu God Lord Krishna. Lord Krishna, regarded as the 8th reincarnated form of Lord Bishnu, is believed to be born at midnight on the eighth day of the dark moon of August, which is also known as Asthami. The 17th Century Krishna Temple, which stands tall among the temples in the World Heritage Site, is thronged by thousands annually on the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna. The Krishna Temple opens after renovation in 2018 as it sustains minor damages due to the devastating earthquake of 2015, which claims the lives of thousands of people and causes massive structural damage to the heritage sites of the Himalayan Nation. Lord Krishna, the dark-skinned god revered as a manifestation of Lord Vishnu, also teaches the warrior Arjuna the value of Karma in the Bhagwad Gita and is born at midnight on the eighth day of the dark moon of August, which is known as Ashtami. Known for his charm and fascinating nature, devotees claim they come to the temple following the footsteps and directives of Lord Krishna.

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#12649126

16 August 2025

Nepali Hindu devotees stand in queue, waiting for their turn to perform rituals at the Krishna Temple in Patan Durbar Square in Lalitpur, Nepal, on August 16, 2025, as the nation marks Krishna Janmastami, the birthday of the Hindu God Lord Krishna. Lord Krishna, regarded as the 8th reincarnated form of Lord Bishnu, is believed to be born at midnight on the eighth day of the dark moon of August, which is also known as Asthami. The 17th Century Krishna Temple, which stands tall among the temples in the World Heritage Site, is thronged by thousands annually on the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna. The Krishna Temple opens after renovation in 2018 as it sustains minor damages due to the devastating earthquake of 2015, which claims the lives of thousands of people and causes massive structural damage to the heritage sites of the Himalayan Nation. Lord Krishna, the dark-skinned god revered as a manifestation of Lord Vishnu, also teaches the warrior Arjuna the value of Karma in the Bhagwad Gita and is born at midnight on the eighth day of the dark moon of August, which is known as Ashtami. Known for his charm and fascinating nature, devotees claim they come to the temple following the footsteps and directives of Lord Krishna.

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#12649129

16 August 2025

Nepali Hindu devotees stand in queue, waiting for their turn to perform rituals at the Krishna Temple in Patan Durbar Square in Lalitpur, Nepal, on August 16, 2025, as the nation marks Krishna Janmastami, the birthday of the Hindu God Lord Krishna. Lord Krishna, regarded as the 8th reincarnated form of Lord Bishnu, is believed to be born at midnight on the eighth day of the dark moon of August, which is also known as Asthami. The 17th Century Krishna Temple, which stands tall among the temples in the World Heritage Site, is thronged by thousands annually on the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna. The Krishna Temple opens after renovation in 2018 as it sustains minor damages due to the devastating earthquake of 2015, which claims the lives of thousands of people and causes massive structural damage to the heritage sites of the Himalayan Nation. Lord Krishna, the dark-skinned god revered as a manifestation of Lord Vishnu, also teaches the warrior Arjuna the value of Karma in the Bhagwad Gita and is born at midnight on the eighth day of the dark moon of August, which is known as Ashtami. Known for his charm and fascinating nature, devotees claim they come to the temple following the footsteps and directives of Lord Krishna.

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#12598014

29 July 2025

Nepali Hindu devotees stand in a queue waiting for their turn to worship and make offerings to the serpent deity on the day of Naag Panchami at Naag Pokhari in Kathmandu, Nepal, on July 29, 2025. The fifth day of the bright half-moon of the Shrawan month, as per the lunar calendar, is regarded as Naag Panchami, a day dedicated to serpent deities. People flock to nearby ponds and Naag temples to worship the serpentine deity, marking the start of the festive season in the Himalayan nation. The festival of Naag Panchami is also regarded as a festival to strengthen the bond between humans and nature. On this particular day, farmers do not dig or plough the field; instead, they worship the deity by making idols from the mud of their fields. The serpentine deity is also regarded as the god of water and rain, and according to religious belief, the house where the Naag deity resides is bestowed with wealth and prosperity. According to belief, the age-old tradition of observing the festival started when a farmer in ancient times ploughed the field on the day of Naag Panchami and a family of serpents was killed. The serpent then promised not to spare any of the family members of that farmer after his entire family was killed. The farmer had only a daughter who was also married off; the serpent then went to the girl's house to take revenge and saw the daughter worshipping the serpent deity. The snake, who lost its family, returned, blessing the girl.

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#12598015

29 July 2025

Nepali Hindu devotees stand in a queue waiting for their turn to worship and make offerings to the serpent deity on the day of Naag Panchami at Naag Pokhari in Kathmandu, Nepal, on July 29, 2025. The fifth day of the bright half-moon of the Shrawan month, as per the lunar calendar, is regarded as Naag Panchami, a day dedicated to serpent deities. People flock to nearby ponds and Naag temples to worship the serpentine deity, marking the start of the festive season in the Himalayan nation. The festival of Naag Panchami is also regarded as a festival to strengthen the bond between humans and nature. On this particular day, farmers do not dig or plough the field; instead, they worship the deity by making idols from the mud of their fields. The serpentine deity is also regarded as the god of water and rain, and according to religious belief, the house where the Naag deity resides is bestowed with wealth and prosperity. According to belief, the age-old tradition of observing the festival started when a farmer in ancient times ploughed the field on the day of Naag Panchami and a family of serpents was killed. The serpent then promised not to spare any of the family members of that farmer after his entire family was killed. The farmer had only a daughter who was also married off; the serpent then went to the girl's house to take revenge and saw the daughter worshipping the serpent deity. The snake, who lost its family, returned, blessing the girl.

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#12598025

29 July 2025

Nepali Hindu devotees stand in a queue waiting for their turn to worship and make offerings to the serpent deity on the day of Naag Panchami at Naag Pokhari in Kathmandu, Nepal, on July 29, 2025. The fifth day of the bright half-moon of the Shrawan month, as per the lunar calendar, is regarded as Naag Panchami, a day dedicated to serpent deities. People flock to nearby ponds and Naag temples to worship the serpentine deity, marking the start of the festive season in the Himalayan nation. The festival of Naag Panchami is also regarded as a festival to strengthen the bond between humans and nature. On this particular day, farmers do not dig or plough the field; instead, they worship the deity by making idols from the mud of their fields. The serpentine deity is also regarded as the god of water and rain, and according to religious belief, the house where the Naag deity resides is bestowed with wealth and prosperity. According to belief, the age-old tradition of observing the festival started when a farmer in ancient times ploughed the field on the day of Naag Panchami and a family of serpents was killed. The serpent then promised not to spare any of the family members of that farmer after his entire family was killed. The farmer had only a daughter who was also married off; the serpent then went to the girl's house to take revenge and saw the daughter worshipping the serpent deity. The snake, who lost its family, returned, blessing the girl.

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