Santosh Suwal Photography

11/05/2026

Panoramic View Gosaikunda

01/09/2025

Devi Pyakha" is not performed in Bhaktapur; rather, the term "Saparu" refers to the Gan Thyagu festival in Bhaktapur, a different cultural performance celebrated on the day of G*ijatra, during which large effigies of a mythical figure are paraded and ritually burned. "Devi Pyakha," a dance ritual with masked performers telling a story of gods and demons, is performed in other cities like Kirtipur and Panauti, often during festivals like Indra Jatra or Dashain.

28/08/2025

27/08/2025

The "Jangali" dance is a mask dance performed in Bhaktapur, Nepal, during the G*i Jatra festival. It involves two young boys in dancing costumes. It is also known as the "Di Pyakhan" or Devi dance, which features Mahakali, Mahalaxmi, and Kumari as the main characters. These dances are ancient traditions, with Nilbarahi Gana Naach being another example of a related dance form. The Jangali dance appears to be a specific element within the broader context of the Devi Pyakhan or Devi dance tradition in Bhaktapur.
The masks represent deities, spirits, and mythic forces. They are believed to embody the energies of goddess Mahakali, Mahalaxmi, and Kumari, as well as other protective or malevolent beings. By wearing the masks, dancers become vessels through which these powerful forces act during the performance.

18/08/2025

G*i Jatra is a festival celebrated in Nepal, particularly in the Kathmandu Valley, in honor of those who have died during the year. The festival is also known as the "festival of cows" (SAPA:RU) and is celebrated on the first day of the waning moon in the month of Bhadra (August/September) of the Nepali calendar.

G*i Jatra has its origins in ancient Hindu traditions and is believed to have been started by the king of Kathmandu, Pratap Malla, in the 17th century. According to legend, the king was mourning the death of his son and wanted to console his queen, who was overcome with grief. He ordered all the families who had lost a loved one during the year to join a procession and to parade a cow through the streets, believing that it would help the bereaved families come to terms with their loss.

Today, the festival has evolved into a colorful and lively celebration where people dress up in elaborate costumes and parade through the streets, often accompanied by music and dancing. The cow is still an important symbol of the festival, and families who have lost a loved one during the year will often lead a decorated cow through the streets in remembrance of their loved one.

The festival has also become a way for the Nepali people to come together and celebrate life, and it is common for people to play pranks, make jokes and tell stories during the festivities. It is believed that G*i Jatra helps to ease the sorrow of those who have lost loved ones, and it also provides an opportunity for the community to come together and support one another during difficult times.

14/08/2025

Gatha Muga Cha: re ( गथांमुगः चर्हे ) or the Ghantakarna Chaturdashi or Gathamuga Charhe is a regional festival, mostly celebrated within the Kathmandu Valley. However, there are different stories and reasons to celebrate Gatha Muga cha: re, even in between these three cities of the Kathmandu valley.

Outlines of Contents
Myths of the Ghantakarna Festival
The story from the Kathmandu
The making of Ghantakarna in Bhaktapur
The local beliefs and rituals of Gathamuga Charhe
Meanwhile, within Bhaktapur, Gatha Muga Cha: Re showcases the sign of the beginning of the festive season. Plus, the start of the reincarnation process of Nava Durga deities. On the same date, the Nava Durga mask dancers go to the house of the respected Prajapati people to ask where exactly they could get the dark-shaded clay for mask making.

25/04/2025

Pacharee Jatra @ 2025 @ Ason, Kathmandu, Nepal ~~
🇳🇵 🇳🇵 #2025

25/12/2024

Portrait at sikali

06/11/2024

Sikali Jatra is a religious festival of Newar people in Khokana of the Kathmandu Valley. The jatra is performed in Dashain by the people who do not celebrate the Dashain festival.

The Jatra is five days long and is dedicated to the goddess Sikali (also called Ajima). The goddess Shikali is one of the sisters of goddess in Dakshinkali. The Shikali's temple is located in Khokana.

In Khokana there are three major communities namely Tagu, Salagu and Jagu. On the day of Jatra, four virgin boys each from Tagu and Salagu is selected to worship Sikali. The locals wears masks to represent 14 Hindu gods and goddesses. Masked dances is performed following ta***ic rituals. The dancers wears colourful attires. A wooden chariot of goddess Rudrayani is carried on the streets and finally set at the Sikali temple. The procession is led by a Newar priest wearing white robe.

29/10/2024

~Kartik Naach ~
Kartik Naach (Nepali: कात्तिक नाच, also known as Kachhalā Pyākhan (Nepal Bhasa: कछला प्याखं)), is a dance musical play that is performed every month of Kartik (October or November) in Nepal.[1] It was started in 1641 AD by Nepali Malla King Siddhi Narsingh Malla.[2][3][4] The play is performed in Kartik Dabali, Patan Durbar Square every year.

It is usually presented for two to 27 days with 17 tales of Hindu god Vishnu.[3][4] Originally it was shown for two days, but Narsingh Malla's son Shree Niwas Malla added seven days, and Narsingh Malla's grandson Yog Narendra Malla added 15.
The play was preserved by Kartik Naach Prabandhan Samiti, but the Kartik Nach Preservation Committee (KNPC) has been preserving it since 2013.[3] The play usually starts with dancers in colourful clothes portraying Hindu deities including Barahi, Ganesh, Shiva, and Krishna.[4] The dancers also wear festoons around their necks.[4] It is performed by Newar people and in 2015, there were "45 musicians and 10 helpers" performing.

It is also performed near the golden window in Patan and the window is opened only at the play. Legends say that it was built to honour the King Siddhi Narsingh Malla. Most of the dances and music is thought to have been composed by Narsingh Malla, but there have been minor changes to it.[8] Hari Man Shrestha, previously a director of KNPC, has penned a book on the play.