"Protection from misfortune"

#13587152

17 Apr 2026

MIYAJIMA, JAPAN - APRIL 15: Devotees and pilgrims walk barefoot through thick smoke and over smoldering embers during the Hiwatari Shinji (Fire Walking Ceremony) at Daisho-in Temple on Miyajima Island, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan, on April 15, 2026. After the ceremony is opened by Shugendo monks, hundreds of laypeople follow the path of hot cypress coals to pray for spiritual purification, good health, and protection from misfortune.

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#13587153

17 Apr 2026

MIYAJIMA, JAPAN - APRIL 15: Devotees and pilgrims walk barefoot through thick smoke and over smoldering embers during the Hiwatari Shinji (Fire Walking Ceremony) at Daisho-in Temple on Miyajima Island, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan, on April 15, 2026. After the ceremony is opened by Shugendo monks, hundreds of laypeople follow the path of hot cypress coals to pray for spiritual purification, good health, and protection from misfortune.

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#13587154

17 Apr 2026

MIYAJIMA, JAPAN - APRIL 15: Devotees and pilgrims walk barefoot through thick smoke and over smoldering embers during the Hiwatari Shinji (Fire Walking Ceremony) at Daisho-in Temple on Miyajima Island, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan, on April 15, 2026. After the ceremony is opened by Shugendo monks, hundreds of laypeople follow the path of hot cypress coals to pray for spiritual purification, good health, and protection from misfortune.

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#13587155

17 Apr 2026

MIYAJIMA, JAPAN - APRIL 15: Devotees and pilgrims walk barefoot through thick smoke and over smoldering embers during the Hiwatari Shinji (Fire Walking Ceremony) at Daisho-in Temple on Miyajima Island, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan, on April 15, 2026. After the ceremony is opened by Shugendo monks, hundreds of laypeople follow the path of hot cypress coals to pray for spiritual purification, good health, and protection from misfortune.

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#13587156

17 Apr 2026

MIYAJIMA, JAPAN - APRIL 15: Devotees and pilgrims walk barefoot through thick smoke and over smoldering embers during the Hiwatari Shinji (Fire Walking Ceremony) at Daisho-in Temple on Miyajima Island, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan, on April 15, 2026. After the ceremony is opened by Shugendo monks, hundreds of laypeople follow the path of hot cypress coals to pray for spiritual purification, good health, and protection from misfortune.

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#13587157

17 Apr 2026

MIYAJIMA, JAPAN - APRIL 15: Devotees and pilgrims walk barefoot through thick smoke and over smoldering embers during the Hiwatari Shinji (Fire Walking Ceremony) at Daisho-in Temple on Miyajima Island, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan, on April 15, 2026. After the ceremony is opened by Shugendo monks, hundreds of laypeople follow the path of hot cypress coals to pray for spiritual purification, good health, and protection from misfortune.

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#13587158

17 Apr 2026

MIYAJIMA, JAPAN - APRIL 15: Devotees and pilgrims walk barefoot through thick smoke and over smoldering embers during the Hiwatari Shinji (Fire Walking Ceremony) at Daisho-in Temple on Miyajima Island, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan, on April 15, 2026. After the ceremony is opened by Shugendo monks, hundreds of laypeople follow the path of hot cypress coals to pray for spiritual purification, good health, and protection from misfortune.

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#13587159

17 Apr 2026

MIYAJIMA, JAPAN - APRIL 15: Devotees and pilgrims walk barefoot through thick smoke and over smoldering embers during the Hiwatari Shinji (Fire Walking Ceremony) at Daisho-in Temple on Miyajima Island, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan, on April 15, 2026. After the ceremony is opened by Shugendo monks, hundreds of laypeople follow the path of hot cypress coals to pray for spiritual purification, good health, and protection from misfortune.

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#13587160

17 Apr 2026

MIYAJIMA, JAPAN - APRIL 15: Devotees and pilgrims walk barefoot through thick smoke and over smoldering embers during the Hiwatari Shinji (Fire Walking Ceremony) at Daisho-in Temple on Miyajima Island, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan, on April 15, 2026. After the ceremony is opened by Shugendo monks, hundreds of laypeople follow the path of hot cypress coals to pray for spiritual purification, good health, and protection from misfortune.

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#13587161

17 Apr 2026

MIYAJIMA, JAPAN - APRIL 15: Devotees and pilgrims walk barefoot through thick smoke and over smoldering embers during the Hiwatari Shinji (Fire Walking Ceremony) at Daisho-in Temple on Miyajima Island, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan, on April 15, 2026. After the ceremony is opened by Shugendo monks, hundreds of laypeople follow the path of hot cypress coals to pray for spiritual purification, good health, and protection from misfortune.

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#12801676

27 Sep 2025

Religious volunteers carry necessary items and march towards the Sikali Jatra venue in Khokana of Lalitpur on September 27, 2025. Masked dancers in the form of various Hindu deities take flights on air as they tour around the temple of ''Shikali.'' It is an age-old tradition celebrated in Khokana as a substitution for the fortnightly festival of Dashain. Khokana, a medieval Newari heritage village in the southern Kathmandu Valley, observes Shikali Jatra for 5 days, dedicating it to the goddess ''Shikali,'' who is also known as ''Ajima'' or Mother Goddess. Gods and goddesses in human form take flights as they tour around the Sikali temple, which is located on a grassy hill just outside the village. It starts with Goddess Rudrayani or Shikali being carried in a wooden chariot throughout the village and rested in front of the temple in Khokana, along with various religious copper vessels. The Jatra witnesses ''Tantric'' rituals along with masked dances garbed in colorful attires during the festival, representing 14 gods and goddesses of the Hindu Pantheon. Priests clad in white robes, along with 14 masked deities, come together to perform the dance. It is believed that the goddess protects their town from misfortunes and prevents calamities, and it is regarded as an occasion for the farmers to rejoice in the post-harvest season. The dances shown during the Jatra are based on various religious beliefs and perceptions.

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#12801674

27 Sep 2025

Devotees attend the annual Shikali Jatra in Khokana, Lalitpur, on September 27, 2025. Masked dancers in the form of various Hindu deities take flights on air as they tour around the temple of ''Shikali.'' It is an age-old tradition celebrated in Khokana as a substitution for the fortnightly festival of Dashain. Khokana, a medieval Newari heritage village in the Southern Kathmandu Valley, observes Shikali Jatra for 5 days, dedicating it to the goddess ''Shikali,'' who is also known as ''Ajima'' or Mother Goddess. Gods and goddesses in human form take flights as they tour around the Sikali temple, which is located on a grassy hill just outside the village. The festival starts with Goddess Rudrayani or Shikali being carried in a wooden chariot throughout the village and rested in front of the temple in Khokana, along with various religious copper vessels. The Jatra witnesses ''Tantric'' rituals along with masked dances garbed in colorful attires, representing 14 gods and goddesses of the Hindu Pantheon. Priests clad in white robes, along with 14 masked deities, come together to perform dances. It is believed that the goddess protects the town from misfortunes and prevents calamities, and it is regarded as an occasion for the farmers to rejoice in the post-harvest season. The dances shown during the Jatra are based on various religious beliefs and perceptions.

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#12801675

27 Sep 2025

Devotees attend the annual Shikali Jatra in Khokana, Lalitpur, on September 27, 2025. Masked dancers in the form of various Hindu deities take flights on air as they tour around the temple of ''Shikali.'' It is an age-old tradition celebrated in Khokana as a substitution for the fortnightly festival of Dashain. Khokana, a medieval Newari heritage village in the Southern Kathmandu Valley, observes Shikali Jatra for 5 days, dedicating it to the goddess ''Shikali,'' who is also known as ''Ajima'' or Mother Goddess. Gods and goddesses in human form take flights as they tour around the Sikali temple, which is located on a grassy hill just outside the village. The festival starts with Goddess Rudrayani or Shikali being carried in a wooden chariot throughout the village and rested in front of the temple in Khokana, along with various religious copper vessels. The Jatra witnesses ''Tantric'' rituals along with masked dances garbed in colorful attires, representing 14 gods and goddesses of the Hindu Pantheon. Priests clad in white robes, along with 14 masked deities, come together to perform dances. It is believed that the goddess protects the town from misfortunes and prevents calamities, and it is regarded as an occasion for the farmers to rejoice in the post-harvest season. The dances shown during the Jatra are based on various religious beliefs and perceptions.

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#12627351

9 Aug 2025

A local priest ties a Doro, or a sacred colorful thread, around the wrist of a devotee during the Janai Purnima festival or Rakchhya Bandhan in Kirtipur, Kathmandu, Nepal, on August 9, 2025. During Janai Purnima or Rakchhya Bandhan, people from the Brahmin and Chhetri communities change their Janai, a sacred thread. Similarly, people from other communities have a Doro, a sacred colorful thread, tied around their wrists. It is believed that this thread protects people from diseases and misfortune. People from Terai and India also celebrate this festival as Rakchhya Bandhan. Sisters tie attractive Rakhis on their brothers' wrists, wishing them a healthy and long life.

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#12627352

9 Aug 2025

A local priest ties a Doro, or a sacred colorful thread, around the wrist of a devotee during the Janai Purnima festival or Rakchhya Bandhan in Kirtipur, Kathmandu, Nepal, on August 9, 2025. During Janai Purnima or Rakchhya Bandhan, people from the Brahmin and Chhetri communities change their Janai, a sacred thread. Similarly, people from other communities have a Doro, a sacred colorful thread, tied around their wrists. It is believed that this thread protects people from diseases and misfortune. People from Terai and India also celebrate this festival as Rakchhya Bandhan. Sisters tie attractive Rakhis on their brothers' wrists, wishing them a healthy and long life.

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#12627354

9 Aug 2025

A local priest ties a Doro, or a sacred colorful thread, around the wrist of a devotee during the Janai Purnima festival or Rakchhya Bandhan in Kirtipur, Kathmandu, Nepal, on August 9, 2025. During Janai Purnima or Rakchhya Bandhan, people from the Brahmin and Chhetri communities change their Janai, a sacred thread. Similarly, people from other communities have a Doro, a sacred colorful thread, tied around their wrists. It is believed that this thread protects people from diseases and misfortune. People from Terai and India also celebrate this festival as Rakchhya Bandhan. Sisters tie attractive Rakhis on their brothers' wrists, wishing them a healthy and long life.

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