"Newar Community"

#13592782

18 Apr 2026

Man Maya Maharjan, 105, of Lalitpur, Nepal, dances to traditional music as she marks her 5th Janku (Maha Divya Ratharohan) ritual on April 18, 2026, reaching the age of 105 years, 5 months, and 5 days. The Janku is a Newar life-cycle ceremony that marks advanced age milestones and is performed through religious rites along with gatherings of family and community members. Following the rituals, she is carried in a traditional palanquin and greets locals and neighbors in her community in Lalitpur. She is also seen dancing during the procession as part of the event. Locals say this is the first known instance of a 5th Janku being observed for an individual in the area. The ceremony includes customary worship and participation of family and community members as part of the Newar cultural practice recognizing longevity and social respect for elders. Following the 5th Janku, individuals are traditionally regarded within the community as having attained a status comparable to a living deity, reflecting cultural beliefs associated with longevity in Newar society.

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#13592785

18 Apr 2026

Man Maya Maharjan, 105, participates in her 5th Janku (Maha Divya Ratharohan) ritual in Lalitpur, Nepal, on April 18, 2026. The Janku is a Newar life-cycle ceremony marking advanced age milestones, performed through religious rites with family and community gatherings. Following the rituals, she is carried in a traditional palanquin and greets locals and neighbors. This is noted as the first known instance of a 5th Janku being observed for an individual in the area, highlighting the ceremony's significance within local tradition. The event includes customary worship and participation of family and community members, recognizing longevity and social respect for elders in Newar cultural practice. After the 5th Janku, individuals are traditionally regarded as having attained a status comparable to a living deity, reflecting cultural beliefs associated with longevity in Newar society.

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#13592787

18 Apr 2026

Man Maya Maharjan, 105, participates in her 5th Janku (Maha Divya Ratharohan) ritual in Lalitpur, Nepal, on April 18, 2026. The Janku is a Newar life-cycle ceremony marking advanced age milestones, performed through religious rites with family and community gatherings. Following the rituals, she is carried in a traditional palanquin and greets locals and neighbors. This is noted as the first known instance of a 5th Janku being observed for an individual in the area, highlighting the ceremony's significance within local tradition. The event includes customary worship and participation of family and community members, recognizing longevity and social respect for elders in Newar cultural practice. After the 5th Janku, individuals are traditionally regarded as having attained a status comparable to a living deity, reflecting cultural beliefs associated with longevity in Newar society.

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#13592789

18 Apr 2026

Man Maya Maharjan, 105, participates in her 5th Janku (Maha Divya Ratharohan) ritual in Lalitpur, Nepal, on April 18, 2026. The Janku is a Newar life-cycle ceremony marking advanced age milestones, performed through religious rites with family and community gatherings. Following the rituals, she is carried in a traditional palanquin and greets locals and neighbors. This is noted as the first known instance of a 5th Janku being observed for an individual in the area, highlighting the ceremony's significance within local tradition. The event includes customary worship and participation of family and community members, recognizing longevity and social respect for elders in Newar cultural practice. After the 5th Janku, individuals are traditionally regarded as having attained a status comparable to a living deity, reflecting cultural beliefs associated with longevity in Newar society.

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#13592791

18 Apr 2026

Man Maya Maharjan, 105, participates in her 5th Janku (Maha Divya Ratharohan) ritual in Lalitpur, Nepal, on April 18, 2026. The Janku is a Newar life-cycle ceremony marking advanced age milestones, performed through religious rites with family and community gatherings. Following the rituals, she is carried in a traditional palanquin and greets locals and neighbors. This is noted as the first known instance of a 5th Janku being observed for an individual in the area, highlighting the ceremony's significance within local tradition. The event includes customary worship and participation of family and community members, recognizing longevity and social respect for elders in Newar cultural practice. After the 5th Janku, individuals are traditionally regarded as having attained a status comparable to a living deity, reflecting cultural beliefs associated with longevity in Newar society.

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#13592794

18 Apr 2026

Man Maya Maharjan, 105, participates in her 5th Janku (Maha Divya Ratharohan) ritual in Lalitpur, Nepal, on April 18, 2026. The Janku is a Newar life-cycle ceremony marking advanced age milestones, performed through religious rites with family and community gatherings. Following the rituals, she is carried in a traditional palanquin and greets locals and neighbors. This is noted as the first known instance of a 5th Janku being observed for an individual in the area, highlighting the ceremony's significance within local tradition. The event includes customary worship and participation of family and community members, recognizing longevity and social respect for elders in Newar cultural practice. After the 5th Janku, individuals are traditionally regarded as having attained a status comparable to a living deity, reflecting cultural beliefs associated with longevity in Newar society.

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#13592796

18 Apr 2026

Man Maya Maharjan, 105, participates in her 5th Janku (Maha Divya Ratharohan) ritual in Lalitpur, Nepal, on April 18, 2026. The Janku is a Newar life-cycle ceremony marking advanced age milestones, performed through religious rites with family and community gatherings. Following the rituals, she is carried in a traditional palanquin and greets locals and neighbors. This is noted as the first known instance of a 5th Janku being observed for an individual in the area, highlighting the ceremony's significance within local tradition. The event includes customary worship and participation of family and community members, recognizing longevity and social respect for elders in Newar cultural practice. After the 5th Janku, individuals are traditionally regarded as having attained a status comparable to a living deity, reflecting cultural beliefs associated with longevity in Newar society.

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#13592798

18 Apr 2026

Member of Parliament Jagadish Kharel carries the palanquin during the 5th Janku (Maha Divya Ratharohan) ritual of Man Maya Maharjan, 105, in Lalitpur, Nepal, on April 18, 2026. The event marks her reaching the age of 105 years, 5 months, and 5 days. The Janku is a Newar life-cycle ceremony celebrating advanced age milestones, performed through religious rites with family and community gatherings. Man Maya Maharjan is carried in a traditional palanquin by family members and relatives through community streets, greeting locals and neighbors during the procession. The ceremony includes participation from family and community members as part of the Newar cultural practice recognizing longevity and respect for elders. Following the 5th Janku, individuals are traditionally regarded within the community as having attained a status comparable to a living deity, reflecting cultural beliefs associated with longevity in Newar society.

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#13592783

18 Apr 2026

A woman adorned in traditional Newari dress dances during the 5th Janku (Maha Divya Ratharohan) ritual of Man Maya Maharjan, 105, in Lalitpur, Nepal, on April 18, 2026. She is carried by her family and relatives in a traditional palanquin. The Janku is a Newar life-cycle ceremony marking advanced age milestones, performed through religious rites with family and community gatherings. Man Maya Maharjan reaches the age of 105 years, 5 months, and 5 days during the ceremony. Following the rituals, she is carried in a palanquin through community streets by family members and relatives, greeting locals and neighbors. She also dances during the procession as part of the celebrations. Locals note this as the first known instance of a 5th Janku being observed for an individual in the area, highlighting the ceremony's significance within local tradition. The ceremony includes customary worship and participation of family and community members, recognizing longevity and respect for elders in Newar cultural practice. Following the 5th Janku, individuals are traditionally regarded within the community as having attained a status comparable to a living deity, reflecting cultural beliefs associated with longevity in Newar society.

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#13592797

18 Apr 2026

Man Maya Maharjan, 105, of Lalitpur, Nepal, dances to traditional music as she marks her 5th Janku (Maha Divya Ratharohan) ritual on April 18, 2026, reaching the age of 105 years, 5 months, and 5 days. The Janku is a Newar life-cycle ceremony that marks advanced age milestones and is performed through religious rites along with gatherings of family and community members. Following the rituals, she is carried in a traditional palanquin and greets locals and neighbors in her community in Lalitpur. She is also seen dancing during the procession as part of the event. Locals say this is the first known instance of a 5th Janku being observed for an individual in the area. The ceremony includes customary worship and participation of family members and community members as part of the Newar cultural practice recognizing longevity and social respect for elders. Following the 5th Janku, individuals are traditionally regarded within the community as having attained a status comparable to a living deity, reflecting cultural beliefs associated with longevity in Newar society.

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#13592799

18 Apr 2026

A woman adorned in traditional Newari dress dances during the 5th Janku (Maha Divya Ratharohan) ritual of Man Maya Maharjan, 105, in Lalitpur, Nepal, on April 18, 2026. She is carried by her family and relatives in a traditional palanquin. The Janku is a Newar life-cycle ceremony marking advanced age milestones, performed through religious rites with family and community gatherings. Man Maya Maharjan reaches the age of 105 years, 5 months, and 5 days during the ceremony. Following the rituals, she is carried in a palanquin through community streets by family members and relatives, greeting locals and neighbors. She also dances during the procession as part of the celebrations. Locals note this as the first known instance of a 5th Janku being observed for an individual in the area, highlighting the ceremony's significance within local tradition. The ceremony includes customary worship and participation of family and community members, recognizing longevity and respect for elders in Newar cultural practice. Following the 5th Janku, individuals are traditionally regarded within the community as having attained a status comparable to a living deity, reflecting cultural beliefs associated with longevity in Newar society.

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#13592800

18 Apr 2026

Member of Parliament Dr. Toshima Karki attends the 5th Janku (Maha Divya Ratharohan) ritual of Man Maya Maharjan, 105, in Lalitpur, Nepal, on April 18, 2026. Jagadish Kharel carries the palanquin during the procession. The ceremony marks her reaching the age of 105 years, 5 months, and 5 days. Following the 5th Janku, individuals are traditionally regarded within the community as having attained a status comparable to a living deity, reflecting cultural beliefs associated with longevity in Newar society.

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#13594053

18 Apr 2026

A Nepali devotee makes an offering to Patan's Living Goddess Kumari on the first day of the Rato Machhindranath Jatra in Lalitpur, Nepal, on April 18, 2026. The Rato Machhindranath Chariot festival, which spans several weeks based on astrological timing, begins after the ''Aajus'' or ''Priests'' carry the ''Red God'' to the chariot. Known as ''Bunga Dugh'' in Newari, meaning the God of Rain and Harvest, it is the longest Jatra in Nepal, lasting for months depending on astronomical factors. The Newar community constructs a 32-foot chariot annually using wooden beams without nails, taking about a week to complete. The chariot is then decorated before the deity is placed inside. In the ancient town of Lalitpur, the chariot is paraded around the city four days after the deity's ascension. It is then pulled to Ga:Bahal, rested for one day, and subsequently moved to Sundhara and Mangalbazar, where it remains for one day each.

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#13594037

18 Apr 2026

Nihira Bajracharya, the living goddess Kumari of Patan, gives blessings to devotees on the first day of the Rato Machhindranath Jatra in Lalitpur, Nepal, on April 18, 2026. The Rato Machhindranath Chariot festival, which spans weeks based on astrological timing, begins with the ''Aajus'' or ''Priests'' carrying the ''Red God'' to the chariot. Known as ''Bunga Dugh'' in Newari, meaning the God of Rain and Harvest, it is the longest Jatra in Nepal, lasting months depending on astronomical factors. The Newar community constructs a 32-foot chariot annually using wooden beams without nails, taking about a week to complete. The chariot is then decorated before the deity is seated. In the ancient town of Lalitpur, the chariot is paraded around the city four days after the deity's ascension. It is then pulled to Ga:Bahal, rested for one day, and subsequently moved to Sundhara and Mangalbazar, where it remains for one day each.

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#13594039

18 Apr 2026

Nihira Bajracharya, the living goddess Kumari of Patan, gives blessings to devotees on the first day of the Rato Machhindranath Jatra in Lalitpur, Nepal, on April 18, 2026. The Rato Machhindranath Chariot festival, which spans weeks based on astrological timing, begins with the ''Aajus'' or ''Priests'' carrying the ''Red God'' to the chariot. Known as ''Bunga Dugh'' in Newari, meaning the God of Rain and Harvest, it is the longest Jatra in Nepal, lasting months depending on astronomical factors. The Newar community constructs a 32-foot chariot annually using wooden beams without nails, taking about a week to complete. The chariot is then decorated before the deity is seated. In the ancient town of Lalitpur, the chariot is paraded around the city four days after the deity's ascension. It is then pulled to Ga:Bahal, rested for one day, and subsequently moved to Sundhara and Mangalbazar, where it remains for one day each.

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#13594041

18 Apr 2026

A Nepali devotee climbs the chariot of Rato Machhindranath in Lalitpur, Nepal, on April 18, 2026. The Rato Machhindranath Chariot festival, which spans several weeks based on astrological timing, begins with the ''Aajus'' or ''Priests'' placing the ''Red God'' on the chariot. Known as ''Bunga Dugh'' in Newari, meaning the God of Rain and Harvest, this is the longest Jatra in Nepal, lasting for months depending on astronomical factors. The Newar community constructs the 32-foot chariot annually using wooden beams without nails, a process that takes about a week. The chariot is then decorated before the deity is seated. In the ancient town of Lalitpur, the chariot is paraded around the city four days after the deity's ascension. It remains on the roadside for four days before being pulled to Ga:Bahal, where it rests for one day, and then to Sundhara and Mangalbazar, where it stays for one day each.

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