"Temple dedication"

#13230335

23 January 2026

A girl writes on the wall of Saraswati Temple, where the Hindu Goddess is worshipped annually by students of all levels who pray for education and knowledge. The celebration takes place annually on Shukla Panchami of the Nepali month, marking the beginning of the spring season. It is believed that if students worship Saraswati, they will be successful in their studies. Many parents take their children to nearby Saraswati Temples on this day to introduce them to alphabets.

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#13230337

23 January 2026

A girl writes on the wall of Saraswati Temple, where the Hindu Goddess is worshipped annually by students of all levels who pray for education and knowledge. The celebration takes place annually on Shukla Panchami of the Nepali month, marking the beginning of the spring season. It is believed that if students worship Saraswati, they will be successful in their studies. Many parents take their children to nearby Saraswati Temples on this day to introduce them to alphabets.

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#13230348

23 January 2026

A girl writes on the wall of Saraswati Temple, where the Hindu Goddess is worshipped annually by students of all levels who pray for education and knowledge. The celebration takes place annually on Shukla Panchami of the Nepali month, marking the beginning of the spring season. It is believed that if students worship Saraswati, they will be successful in their studies. Many parents take their children to nearby Saraswati Temples on this day to introduce them to alphabets.

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#13230349

23 January 2026

A girl writes on the wall of Saraswati Temple, where the Hindu Goddess is worshipped annually by students of all levels who pray for education and knowledge. The celebration takes place annually on Shukla Panchami of the Nepali month, marking the beginning of the spring season. It is believed that if students worship Saraswati, they will be successful in their studies. Many parents take their children to nearby Saraswati Temples on this day to introduce them to alphabets.

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#12801678

27 September 2025

Deities in human form are escorted up the hill to the Shikali temple premises for the commencement of the ceremony in Khokana, Nepal, 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 five 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 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 the town from misfortunes and prevents calamities. It is also 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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#12801681

27 September 2025

Deities in human form are escorted up the hill to the Shikali temple premises for the commencement of the ceremony in Khokana, Nepal, 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 five 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 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 the town from misfortunes and prevents calamities. It is also 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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#12801682

27 September 2025

Deities in human form are escorted up the hill to the Shikali temple premises for the commencement of the ceremony in Khokana, Nepal, 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 five 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 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 the town from misfortunes and prevents calamities. It is also 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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#12801686

27 September 2025

A masked dancer in the form of Hindu deities takes flight in the air as they tour around the temple of Shikali. This is an age-old tradition celebrated in Khokana, Nepal, as a substitution for the fortnightly festival of Dashain on September 27, 2025. Khokana, a medieval Newari heritage village in the southern Kathmandu Valley, observes Shikali Jatra for five days, dedicating it to the goddess Shikali, also known as Ajima or Mother Goddess. Gods and goddesses in human form take flight 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 attire, 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 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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#12801688

27 September 2025

A masked dancer in the form of Hindu deities takes flight in the air as they tour around the temple of Shikali. This is an age-old tradition celebrated in Khokana, Nepal, as a substitution for the fortnightly festival of Dashain on September 27, 2025. Khokana, a medieval Newari heritage village in the southern Kathmandu Valley, observes Shikali Jatra for five days, dedicating it to the goddess Shikali, also known as Ajima or Mother Goddess. Gods and goddesses in human form take flight 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 attire, 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 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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#12801689

27 September 2025

A masked dancer in the form of Hindu deities takes flight in the air as they tour around the temple of Shikali. This is an age-old tradition celebrated in Khokana, Nepal, as a substitution for the fortnightly festival of Dashain on September 27, 2025. Khokana, a medieval Newari heritage village in the southern Kathmandu Valley, observes Shikali Jatra for five days, dedicating it to the goddess Shikali, also known as Ajima or Mother Goddess. Gods and goddesses in human form take flight 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 attire, 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 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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#12801690

27 September 2025

A masked dancer in the form of Hindu deities takes flight in the air as they tour around the temple of Shikali. This is an age-old tradition celebrated in Khokana, Nepal, as a substitution for the fortnightly festival of Dashain on September 27, 2025. Khokana, a medieval Newari heritage village in the southern Kathmandu Valley, observes Shikali Jatra for five days, dedicating it to the goddess Shikali, also known as Ajima or Mother Goddess. Gods and goddesses in human form take flight 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 attire, 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 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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#12801691

27 September 2025

A masked dancer in the form of Hindu deities takes flight in the air as they tour around the temple of Shikali. This is an age-old tradition celebrated in Khokana, Nepal, as a substitution for the fortnightly festival of Dashain on September 27, 2025. Khokana, a medieval Newari heritage village in the southern Kathmandu Valley, observes Shikali Jatra for five days, dedicating it to the goddess Shikali, also known as Ajima or Mother Goddess. Gods and goddesses in human form take flight 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 attire, 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 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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#12801692

27 September 2025

A masked dancer in the form of Hindu deities takes flight in the air as they tour around the temple of Shikali. This is an age-old tradition celebrated in Khokana, Nepal, as a substitution for the fortnightly festival of Dashain on September 27, 2025. Khokana, a medieval Newari heritage village in the southern Kathmandu Valley, observes Shikali Jatra for five days, dedicating it to the goddess Shikali, also known as Ajima or Mother Goddess. Gods and goddesses in human form take flight 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 attire, 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 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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#12801693

27 September 2025

A masked dancer in the form of Hindu deities takes flight in the air as they tour around the temple of Shikali. This is an age-old tradition celebrated in Khokana, Nepal, as a substitution for the fortnightly festival of Dashain on September 27, 2025. Khokana, a medieval Newari heritage village in the southern Kathmandu Valley, observes Shikali Jatra for five days, dedicating it to the goddess Shikali, also known as Ajima or Mother Goddess. Gods and goddesses in human form take flight 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 attire, 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 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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#12801694

27 September 2025

A masked dancer in the form of Hindu deities takes flight in the air as they tour around the temple of Shikali. This is an age-old tradition celebrated in Khokana, Nepal, as a substitution for the fortnightly festival of Dashain on September 27, 2025. Khokana, a medieval Newari heritage village in the southern Kathmandu Valley, observes Shikali Jatra for five days, dedicating it to the goddess Shikali, also known as Ajima or Mother Goddess. Gods and goddesses in human form take flight 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 attire, 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 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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#12801674

27 September 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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