"centuries-long tradition"

#12699312

31 August 2025

Nepalese devotees and members of the Nepal Army pull the Yonshi (ceremonial pole/Indra Dhwaj) to Hanumandhoka Durbar Square in Kathmandu, Nepal, on August 31, 2025, as part of preparations for the eight-day-long Indra Jatra festival honoring Indra, the King of Heaven and Lord of Rains. The Yonshi is ceremonially cut from the forest in Bhaktapur and temporarily placed at Bhotahiti before being escorted through the streets of Kathmandu. Devotees guide the Yonshi along the traditional route, with some bowing in reverence as it passes. It is formally raised on Bhadra 19 as per the Nepali calendar at 10:31 AM, after which the festival officially starts, reflecting centuries-old Newar cultural and religious traditions.

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#12699318

31 August 2025

The Yonshi (ceremonial pole/Indra Dhwaj) is seen at Hanumandhoka Durbar Square as Nepalese devotees and members of the Nepal Army bring it on Sunday as part of preparations for the eight-day-long Indra Jatra festival honoring Indra, the King of Heaven and Lord of Rains in Kathmandu, Nepal, on August 31, 2025. The Yonshi is ceremonially cut from the forest in Bhaktapur and temporarily placed at Bhotahiti before being escorted through the streets of Kathmandu to Hanumandhoka. Devotees guide the Yonshi along the traditional route, with some bowing in reverence as it passes. It is formally raised on Bhadra 19 as per the Nepali calendar at 10:31 AM, after which the festival officially commences, reflecting centuries-old Newar cultural and religious traditions.

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#12699319

31 August 2025

The Yonshi (ceremonial pole/Indra Dhwaj) is seen at Hanumandhoka Durbar Square as Nepalese devotees and members of the Nepal Army bring it on Sunday as part of preparations for the eight-day-long Indra Jatra festival honoring Indra, the King of Heaven and Lord of Rains in Kathmandu, Nepal, on August 31, 2025. The Yonshi is ceremonially cut from the forest in Bhaktapur and temporarily placed at Bhotahiti before being escorted through the streets of Kathmandu to Hanumandhoka. Devotees guide the Yonshi along the traditional route, with some bowing in reverence as it passes. It is formally raised on Bhadra 19 as per the Nepali calendar at 10:31 AM, after which the festival officially commences, reflecting centuries-old Newar cultural and religious traditions.

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#12699317

31 August 2025

A devotee bows in reverence to the Yonshi (Indra Dhwaj) after it is pulled to Hanumandhoka Durbar Square in Kathmandu, Nepal, on August 31, 2025. The Yonshi, ceremonially cut from the Bhaktapur forest, is formally raised on Bhadra 19 as per the Nepali calendar at 10:31 AM, after which the eight-day-long Indra Jatra festival officially begins, honoring Indra, the King of Heaven and Lord of Rains. The act of bowing reflects deep devotion and participation in this centuries-old Newar cultural tradition.

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#12413145

26 May 2025

Old weathered gravestones densely fill the Jewish Cemetery in Prague, Czech Republic, on May 11, 2025. The cemetery is a historic site with centuries-old tombstones, reflecting the long-standing presence and heritage of the Jewish community in the city.

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#12413146

26 May 2025

Old weathered gravestones densely fill the Jewish Cemetery in Prague, Czech Republic, on May 11, 2025. The cemetery is a historic site with centuries-old tombstones, reflecting the long-standing presence and heritage of the Jewish community in the city.

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#12413148

26 May 2025

Old weathered gravestones densely fill the Jewish Cemetery in Prague, Czech Republic, on May 11, 2025. The cemetery is a historic site with centuries-old tombstones, reflecting the long-standing presence and heritage of the Jewish community in the city.

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#12413149

26 May 2025

Old weathered gravestones densely fill the Jewish Cemetery in Prague, Czech Republic, on May 11, 2025. The cemetery is a historic site with centuries-old tombstones, reflecting the long-standing presence and heritage of the Jewish community in the city.

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#11454728

4 August 2024

Nepali women from the Newa community are performing a traditional dance in traditional attire of Haku-Patasi in front of the chariot of Rato Macchindranath, Nepal's Red God, ahead of the Bhoto Jatra Procession in Lalitpur, Nepal, on August 4, 2024. The 'Bhoto' or jewel-studded vest is being shown to the public on the last day of Rato Machhindranath Jatra, symbolizing the end of the longest Jatra and the start of the festivities. This tradition, which has been followed for a long time, involves the Bhoto remaining unclaimed since then. The Bhoto, displayed annually at Jawalakhel in Lalitpur, has pearls and jewels attached to it. The jewel-studded vest is being packed and kept inside a cloth pouch for a year and opened only in the presence of the State head on a particular day fixed by the priests when the Rato Machhindranath Jatra commences. The showing of the vest on that particular day is demonstrating it to be safe with the state, inviting the owner of the vest to come and claim it. This practice, which has run for a long time, has become an integral part of the month-long festival.

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#11454729

4 August 2024

Nepali women from the Newa community are performing a traditional dance in traditional attire of Haku-Patasi in front of the chariot of Rato Macchindranath, Nepal's Red God, ahead of the Bhoto Jatra Procession in Lalitpur, Nepal, on August 4, 2024. The 'Bhoto' or jewel-studded vest is being shown to the public on the last day of Rato Machhindranath Jatra, symbolizing the end of the longest Jatra and the start of the festivities. This tradition, which has been followed for a long time, involves the Bhoto remaining unclaimed since then. The Bhoto, displayed annually at Jawalakhel in Lalitpur, has pearls and jewels attached to it. The jewel-studded vest is being packed and kept inside a cloth pouch for a year and opened only in the presence of the State head on a particular day fixed by the priests when the Rato Machhindranath Jatra commences. The showing of the vest on that particular day is demonstrating it to be safe with the state, inviting the owner of the vest to come and claim it. This practice, which has run for a long time, has become an integral part of the month-long festival.

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#11454733

4 August 2024

Nepali women from the Newa community are performing a traditional dance in traditional attire of Haku-Patasi in front of the chariot of Rato Macchindranath, Nepal's Red God, ahead of the Bhoto Jatra Procession in Lalitpur, Nepal, on August 4, 2024. The 'Bhoto' or jewel-studded vest is being shown to the public on the last day of Rato Machhindranath Jatra, symbolizing the end of the longest Jatra and the start of the festivities. This tradition, which has been followed for a long time, involves the Bhoto remaining unclaimed since then. The Bhoto, displayed annually at Jawalakhel in Lalitpur, has pearls and jewels attached to it. The jewel-studded vest is being packed and kept inside a cloth pouch for a year and opened only in the presence of the State head on a particular day fixed by the priests when the Rato Machhindranath Jatra commences. The showing of the vest on that particular day is demonstrating it to be safe with the state, inviting the owner of the vest to come and claim it. This practice, which has run for a long time, has become an integral part of the month-long festival.

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#11454734

4 August 2024

Nepali women from the Newa community are performing a traditional dance in traditional attire of Haku-Patasi in front of the chariot of Rato Macchindranath, Nepal's Red God, ahead of the Bhoto Jatra Procession in Lalitpur, Nepal, on August 4, 2024. The 'Bhoto' or jewel-studded vest is being shown to the public on the last day of Rato Machhindranath Jatra, symbolizing the end of the longest Jatra and the start of the festivities. This tradition, which has been followed for a long time, involves the Bhoto remaining unclaimed since then. The Bhoto, displayed annually at Jawalakhel in Lalitpur, has pearls and jewels attached to it. The jewel-studded vest is being packed and kept inside a cloth pouch for a year and opened only in the presence of the State head on a particular day fixed by the priests when the Rato Machhindranath Jatra commences. The showing of the vest on that particular day is demonstrating it to be safe with the state, inviting the owner of the vest to come and claim it. This practice, which has run for a long time, has become an integral part of the month-long festival.

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#11454735

4 August 2024

Nepali women from the Newa community are performing a traditional dance in traditional attire of Haku-Patasi in front of the chariot of Rato Macchindranath, Nepal's Red God, ahead of the Bhoto Jatra Procession in Lalitpur, Nepal, on August 4, 2024. The 'Bhoto' or jewel-studded vest is being shown to the public on the last day of Rato Machhindranath Jatra, symbolizing the end of the longest Jatra and the start of the festivities. This tradition, which has been followed for a long time, involves the Bhoto remaining unclaimed since then. The Bhoto, displayed annually at Jawalakhel in Lalitpur, has pearls and jewels attached to it. The jewel-studded vest is being packed and kept inside a cloth pouch for a year and opened only in the presence of the State head on a particular day fixed by the priests when the Rato Machhindranath Jatra commences. The showing of the vest on that particular day is demonstrating it to be safe with the state, inviting the owner of the vest to come and claim it. This practice, which has run for a long time, has become an integral part of the month-long festival.

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#11454736

4 August 2024

Members of the musical band are playing a traditional musical instrument during the Bhoto Jatra procession in Jawalakhel, Lalitpur District, Nepal, on August 4, 2024. The 'Bhoto' or jewel-studded vest is being shown to the public on the last day of Rato Machhindranath Jatra, symbolizing the end of the longest Jatra and the start of the festivities. It is a tradition that has been followed for a long time, and the Bhoto has remained unclaimed since then. The Bhoto displayed annually at Jawalakhel in Lalitpur has pearls and jewels attached to it. The jewel-studded vest is packed and kept inside a cloth pouch for a year and opened only in the presence of the State head on a particular day fixed by the priests when the Rato Machhindranath Jatra commences. The showing of the vest on that particular day demonstrates that it is safe with the state, and whoever is the owner of the vest can come and claim it. This practice, which has run for a long time now, has become an integral part of the month-long festival.

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#11454722

4 August 2024

Nepali Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli is gesturing as he is arriving to observe the Bhoto Jatra procession in Lalitpur, Nepal, on August 4, 2024. The 'Bhoto' or jewel-studded vest is being shown to the public on the last day of Rato Machhindranath Jatra, symbolizing the end of the longest Jatra and the start of the festivities. It is a tradition that has been followed for a long time, and the Bhoto has remained unclaimed since then. The Bhoto displayed annually at Jawalakhel in Lalitpur has pearls and jewels attached to it. The jewel-studded vest is being packed and kept inside a cloth pouch for a year and is opened only in the presence of the State head on a particular day fixed by the priests when the Rato Machhindranath Jatra commences. The showing of the vest on that particular day is demonstrating it to be safe with the state, and whoever is the owner of the vest is invited to come and claim it. This practice, which has run for a long time now, is becoming an integral part of the month-long festival.

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#11454723

4 August 2024

A chariot leader is directing the crowd to pull the chariot of Lord Minnath after the completion of the Bhoto Jatra festival in Lalitpur, Nepal, on August 4, 2024. The 'Bhoto' or jewel-studded vest is being shown to the public on the last day of Rato Machhindranath Jatra, symbolizing the end of the longest Jatra and the start of the festivities. It is a tradition that has been followed for a long time, and the Bhoto has remained unclaimed since then. The Bhoto displayed annually at Jawalakhel in Lalitpur has pearls and jewels attached to it. The jewel-studded vest is being packed and kept inside a cloth pouch for a year and is opened only in the presence of the State head on a particular day fixed by the priests when the Rato Machhindranath Jatra commences. The showing of the vest on that particular day is demonstrating it to be safe with the state, and whoever is the owner of the vest is invited to come and claim it. This practice, which has run for a long time now, is becoming an integral part of the month-long festival.

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