Friday, 13 April 2012

Balkumari Jatra Festival - Nepal

Happy New Year 2069. No, I didn't get the number wrong, today is the first day of the year 2069 and is celebrated as the Balkumari Jatra Festival. The small town of Thimi, not far from Kathmandu, welcomes the new year with a festival instituted by King Jagat Jyoti Malla in the early 1600s. It honours Balkumari, one of Bhairab's consorts.
Men carrying a khat with images of different gods and whirl around the temples while red powder is being thrown at them. It ends with the arrival of the khat bearing Ganesh. more images
The khat being carried around the town of Thimi.

Faces of Balkumari Jatra




Women bringing offerings

little spectator



the khat...

1 comment:

  1. Did you ask them why red color power? Symbol of blood sacrifice?!

    Great portraits...

    ReplyDelete