"performed"

#13587147

17 Apr 2026

MIYAJIMA, JAPAN - APRIL 15: Yamabushi monks cast purifying salt over smoldering embers during the Hiwatari Shinji (Fire Walking Ceremony) at Daisho-in Temple on Miyajima Island, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan, on April 15, 2026. This final purification ritual, part of the ancient Shugendo tradition, is performed to cleanse the path and protect the participants before they walk barefoot across the hot cypress coals.

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#13587151

17 Apr 2026

MIYAJIMA, JAPAN - APRIL 15: A Yamabushi monk performs a ritual purification over smoldering embers during the Hiwatari Shinji (Fire Walking Ceremony) at Daisho-in Temple on Miyajima Island, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan, on April 15, 2026. This final Shugendo rite is performed to sanctify the path before hundreds of devotees follow the monks in walking barefoot across the hot cypress coals.

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#13587119

17 Apr 2026

MIYAJIMA, JAPAN - APRIL 15: The Chief Priest of Daisho-in Temple performs a sacred blessing as Yamabushi monks stand in attendance during the Hiwatari Shinji (Fire Walking Ceremony) on Miyajima Island, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan, on April 15, 2026. This formal invocation is a vital part of the Shugendo tradition, performed to ensure spiritual protection and purification before the lighting of the ceremonial fire.

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#13587120

17 Apr 2026

MIYAJIMA, JAPAN - APRIL 15: A Yamabushi monk fires a ritual arrow into the sky as part of a purification ceremony (Houfu-shiki) during the Hiwatari Shinji (Fire Walking Ceremony) at Daisho-in Temple on Miyajima Island, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan, on April 15, 2026. This Shugendo rite is performed to ward off evil spirits and negative energy before the igniting of the sacred cypress pyre.

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#13587125

17 Apr 2026

MIYAJIMA, JAPAN - APRIL 15: The Chief Priest of Daisho-in Temple performs a sacred blessing as Yamabushi monks stand in attendance during the Hiwatari Shinji (Fire Walking Ceremony) on Miyajima Island, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan, on April 15, 2026. This formal invocation is a vital part of the Shugendo tradition, performed to ensure spiritual protection and purification before the lighting of the ceremonial fire.

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#13552064

9 Apr 2026

Masked dancers perform during a celebratory event organized on the eve of the formal start of Biska Jatra, a nine-day procession welcoming the Nepali New Year, in Bhaktapur, Nepal, on April 9, 2026. Biska Jatra, a popular religious festival in the Kathmandu Valley, begins with the ascension of Lord Bhairab onto a chariot built in front of the Nyatapola temple, the tallest temple in Nepal. Two groups of locals engage in a traditional tug-of-war, pulling the chariot to either side as a show of strength, a practice followed for generations. The three-story chariot, made of wood in the pagoda style, is pushed and pulled around the settlements with statues of Bhairavnath and Betal as part of the festival. This festival, celebrated for nine days and eight nights, is believed to have originated during the Malla Dynasty and formally starts four days before the Nepali New Year. According to a local myth, anyone who marries the local princess dies on the first night of marriage, until a brave young man killed two attacking snakes. Biska Jatra is unique as it does not follow the lunar-based Nepali Calendar and commences after a special Tantric ritual is performed in the Bhairab Temple in Taumadhi Tole in Bhaktapur.

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#13552067

9 Apr 2026

Nepali artists from the Newa: community perform with the Dhime, a traditional double-headed cylindrical drum, on the eve of the formal start of Biska Jatra in Bhaktapur, Nepal, on April 9, 2026. Biska Jatra, a nine-day celebratory procession welcoming the Nepali New Year, begins with the ascension of Lord Bhairab onto a chariot built in front of the Nyatapola temple, the tallest temple in Nepal. Two groups of locals engage in a tug-of-war to pull the chariot to their side, a tradition that has been followed for generations. The three-storey chariot, made of wood in the pagoda style, is pushed and pulled around the settlements with statues of Bhairavnath and Betal as part of the festival. This event of cultural and historical significance is celebrated for nine days and eight nights. Believed to have originated during the Malla Dynasty, Biska Jatra formally starts four days before the Nepali New Year. According to a local myth, anyone who marries the local princess dies on the first night of marriage. A brave young man who married the princess killed two snakes that attacked him that night. Biska Jatra is unique as it does not follow the lunar-based Nepali Calendar and commences after a special Tantric ritual is performed in the Bhairab Temple in Taumadhi Tole in Bhaktapur.

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#13552068

9 Apr 2026

A Nepali artist from the Newa: community plays the flute during a mass celebratory event on the eve of the formal start of Biska Jatra, a nine-day procession welcoming the Nepali New Year, in Bhaktapur, Nepal, on April 9, 2026. Biska: Jatra, a popular religious festival in the Kathmandu Valley, begins with the ascension of Lord Bhairab onto a chariot built in front of the Nyatapola temple, the tallest temple in Nepal. Two groups of locals engage in a traditional tug-of-war with the chariot, a practice that has been followed for generations. The three-story wooden chariot, constructed in the pagoda style, is moved around the settlements with statues of Bhairavnath and Betal as part of the festival. Celebrated for nine days and eight nights, Biska: Jatra is believed to have originated during the Malla Dynasty and formally starts four days before the Nepali New Year. According to a local myth, anyone who marries the local princess dies on the first night of marriage, until a brave young man killed two snakes that attacked him. Biska: Jatra is unique as it does not follow the lunar-based Nepali Calendar and begins after a special Tantric ritual is performed in the Bhairab Temple in Taumadhi Tole, Bhaktapur.

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#13552069

9 Apr 2026

Nepali artists from the Newa: community, indigenous to the Kathmandu Valley, play flutes during a mass celebratory event on the eve of the formal start of Biska Jatra in Bhaktapur, Nepal, on April 9, 2026. Biska Jatra, a nine-day celebratory procession welcoming the Nepali New Year, begins with the ascension of Lord Bhairab onto a chariot built in front of the Nyatapola temple, the tallest temple in Nepal. Two groups of locals engage in a traditional display of strength by pulling the chariot to either side. The three-story chariot, made of wood in the pagoda style, is pushed and pulled around the settlements with statues of Bhairavnath and Betal as part of the festival. This event, of cultural and historical significance, is celebrated for nine days and eight nights and is believed to have originated during the Malla Dynasty. Biska Jatra formally starts four days before the Nepali New Year. According to a local myth, anyone who marries the local princess dies on the first night of marriage, until a brave young man killed two snakes that attacked him. Biska Jatra is unique as it does not follow the lunar-based Nepali Calendar and commences after a special Tantric ritual is performed in the Bhairab Temple in Taumadhi Tole in Bhaktapur.

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#13552070

9 Apr 2026

An attendee records a celebratory event organized on the eve of the formal start of Biska Jatra, a nine-day procession welcoming the Nepali New Year, in Bhaktapur, Nepal, on April 9, 2026. Biska Jatra, a popular religious festival in the Kathmandu Valley, begins with the ascension of Lord Bhairab onto a chariot built in front of the Nyatapola temple, the tallest temple in Nepal. Two groups of locals pull the chariot to either side in a traditional show of strength. The three-story chariot, made of wood in the pagoda style, is pushed and pulled around the settlements with statues of Bhairavnath and Betal as part of the festival. This festival, celebrated for nine days and eight nights, is believed to have originated during the Malla Dynasty and formally starts four days before the Nepali New Year. According to a local myth, anyone who marries the local princess dies on the first night of marriage, but a brave young man once killed two snakes that attacked him on his wedding night. Biska Jatra is unique as it does not follow the lunar-based Nepali Calendar and commences after a special Tantric ritual is performed in the Bhairab Temple in Taumadhi Tole, Bhaktapur.

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#13552071

9 Apr 2026

Tourists attend a celebratory event organized on the eve of the formal start of Biska Jatra, a nine-day procession welcoming the Nepali New Year, in Bhaktapur, Nepal, on April 9, 2026. Biska Jatra, a popular religious festival in the Kathmandu Valley, begins with the ascension of Lord Bhairab onto a chariot built in front of the Nyatapola temple, the tallest temple in Nepal. Two groups of locals engage in a traditional tug-of-war, pulling the chariot to either side as a show of strength. The three-story chariot, made of wood in the pagoda style, is pushed and pulled around the settlements with statues of Bhairavnath and Betal as part of the festival. This festival, celebrated for nine days and eight nights, is believed to have originated during the Malla Dynasty and formally starts four days before the Nepali New Year. According to a local myth, anyone who marries the local princess dies on the first night of marriage, but a brave young man once killed two attacking snakes, breaking the curse. Biska Jatra is unique as it does not follow the lunar-based Nepali Calendar and commences after a special Tantric ritual is performed in the Bhairab Temple in Taumadhi Tole in Bhaktapur.

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#13552072

9 Apr 2026

Nepali artists from the Newa: community perform with the Dhime, a traditional double-headed cylindrical drum, on the eve of the formal start of Biska Jatra in Bhaktapur, Nepal, on April 9, 2026. Biska Jatra, a nine-day celebratory procession welcoming the Nepali New Year, begins with the ascension of Lord Bhairab onto a chariot built in front of the Nyatapola temple, the tallest temple in Nepal. Two groups of locals engage in a tug-of-war to pull the chariot to their side, a tradition that has been followed for generations. The three-storey chariot, made of wood in the pagoda style, is pushed and pulled around the settlements with statues of Bhairavnath and Betal as part of the festival. This event of cultural and historical significance is celebrated for nine days and eight nights. Believed to have originated during the Malla Dynasty, Biska Jatra formally starts four days before the Nepali New Year. According to a local myth, anyone who marries the local princess dies on the first night of marriage. A brave young man who married the princess killed two snakes that attacked him that night. Biska Jatra is unique as it does not follow the lunar-based Nepali Calendar and commences after a special Tantric ritual is performed in the Bhairab Temple in Taumadhi Tole in Bhaktapur.

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#13552074

9 Apr 2026

Nepali artists from the Newa: community perform with the Dhime, a traditional double-headed cylindrical drum, on the eve of the formal start of Biska Jatra in Bhaktapur, Nepal, on April 9, 2026. Biska Jatra, a nine-day celebratory procession welcoming the Nepali New Year, begins with the ascension of Lord Bhairab onto a chariot built in front of the Nyatapola temple, the tallest temple in Nepal. Two groups of locals engage in a tug-of-war to pull the chariot to their side, a tradition that has been followed for generations. The three-storey chariot, made of wood in the pagoda style, is pushed and pulled around the settlements with statues of Bhairavnath and Betal as part of the festival. This event of cultural and historical significance is celebrated for nine days and eight nights. Believed to have originated during the Malla Dynasty, Biska Jatra formally starts four days before the Nepali New Year. According to a local myth, anyone who marries the local princess dies on the first night of marriage. A brave young man who married the princess killed two snakes that attacked him that night. Biska Jatra is unique as it does not follow the lunar-based Nepali Calendar and commences after a special Tantric ritual is performed in the Bhairab Temple in Taumadhi Tole in Bhaktapur.

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#13552075

9 Apr 2026

Nepali artists from the Newa: community perform with the Dhime, a traditional double-headed cylindrical drum, on the eve of the formal start of Biska Jatra in Bhaktapur, Nepal, on April 9, 2026. Biska Jatra, a nine-day celebratory procession welcoming the Nepali New Year, begins with the ascension of Lord Bhairab onto a chariot built in front of the Nyatapola temple, the tallest temple in Nepal. Two groups of locals engage in a tug-of-war to pull the chariot to their side, a tradition that has been followed for generations. The three-storey chariot, made of wood in the pagoda style, is pushed and pulled around the settlements with statues of Bhairavnath and Betal as part of the festival. This event of cultural and historical significance is celebrated for nine days and eight nights. Believed to have originated during the Malla Dynasty, Biska Jatra formally starts four days before the Nepali New Year. According to a local myth, anyone who marries the local princess dies on the first night of marriage. A brave young man who married the princess killed two snakes that attacked him that night. Biska Jatra is unique as it does not follow the lunar-based Nepali Calendar and commences after a special Tantric ritual is performed in the Bhairab Temple in Taumadhi Tole in Bhaktapur.

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#13552076

9 Apr 2026

Nepali artists from the Newa: community perform with the Dhime, a traditional double-headed cylindrical drum, on the eve of the formal start of Biska Jatra in Bhaktapur, Nepal, on April 9, 2026. Biska Jatra, a nine-day celebratory procession welcoming the Nepali New Year, begins with the ascension of Lord Bhairab onto a chariot built in front of the Nyatapola temple, the tallest temple in Nepal. Two groups of locals engage in a tug-of-war to pull the chariot to their side, a tradition that has been followed for generations. The three-storey chariot, made of wood in the pagoda style, is pushed and pulled around the settlements with statues of Bhairavnath and Betal as part of the festival. This event of cultural and historical significance is celebrated for nine days and eight nights. Believed to have originated during the Malla Dynasty, Biska Jatra formally starts four days before the Nepali New Year. According to a local myth, anyone who marries the local princess dies on the first night of marriage. A brave young man who married the princess killed two snakes that attacked him that night. Biska Jatra is unique as it does not follow the lunar-based Nepali Calendar and commences after a special Tantric ritual is performed in the Bhairab Temple in Taumadhi Tole in Bhaktapur.

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#13552077

9 Apr 2026

Nepali artists from the Newa: community perform with the Dhime, a traditional double-headed cylindrical drum, on the eve of the formal start of Biska Jatra in Bhaktapur, Nepal, on April 9, 2026. Biska Jatra, a nine-day celebratory procession welcoming the Nepali New Year, begins with the ascension of Lord Bhairab onto a chariot built in front of the Nyatapola temple, the tallest temple in Nepal. Two groups of locals engage in a tug-of-war to pull the chariot to their side, a tradition that has been followed for generations. The three-storey chariot, made of wood in the pagoda style, is pushed and pulled around the settlements with statues of Bhairavnath and Betal as part of the festival. This event of cultural and historical significance is celebrated for nine days and eight nights. Believed to have originated during the Malla Dynasty, Biska Jatra formally starts four days before the Nepali New Year. According to a local myth, anyone who marries the local princess dies on the first night of marriage. A brave young man who married the princess killed two snakes that attacked him that night. Biska Jatra is unique as it does not follow the lunar-based Nepali Calendar and commences after a special Tantric ritual is performed in the Bhairab Temple in Taumadhi Tole in Bhaktapur.

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